Being pregnant in Finland - experiences

[Sara]

I dont remember exactly now, maybe around 26 weeks I think.

Neuvola gave us some forms to fill in about the pack, maternity leave etc. We choose the package over the cash lump sum, and sometime after we returned the forms I got a letter in the post to say I could have the box. Then we just waited for the slip to collect it from the post office.

[Amandine.K]

Hi everybody,

I'm not sure I'll find an answer here but asI'm waiting for Kela to reply my email one of you might know.

Maternity allowance is if your doctor put you on sick leave before your due date right? I gather it's for 105 workdays. But is it only available for people on permanent contract? My contract expires on June 30th and my baby is due on August 7th. My husband is adamant I'm not eligible for it... What do you think?

[Amandine.K]

I'm answering to myself but the info might be helpful for other mums-to-be.

So to get maternity allowance mother must have been insured under the National Health Insurance for at least 180 days immediately before the date on which the baby is due. If you still live in Finland after the contract has ended (in case you're on short term contract), you are still entitled to the allowance.

[oompah18]

I was just 2 days short of qualifying for this for my first child Such is life!

[Amandine.K]

Oh that must be so frustrating. I don't really understand how it works though, it looks like you have to claim it 2 months before your due date the latest. Which is fine by me, I just don't want to miss out!

[oompah18]

Hello all, I can come on this thread again, now, I am soooooo excited 12 weeks pregnant & no miscarriage this time, phew. I have been taking things easier than last year, ie not cycling 200km a week during pregnancy weeks 8 & 9! Just slow cycling round the village with 1 tot in bike trailer. I have been to neuvola for the first check up & all OK so far & have a scan this week, but oh, the NAUSEA, constant since about week 3, I don´t remember it being this bad in previous pregnancies, can´t bear smell of coffee, raw meat/fish even chocolate makes me yucky But I have been craving Piima, that sort of sour milk type drink- I just can´t get enough of it! Anyway, hope those of you who are preggers to are doing OK!
Allie

[Amandine.K]

Aw Allie I'm so so happy for you! I had really bad vomitting with this pregnancy as well. I was off work for about 2 months and kept on losing weight. But hey that's a sign everything is ok according to my neuvola tati!

I'm in my 28th week now, a boy so we're over the moon. Keep us updated!

[oompah18]

Wow, off work for 2 months, I wish I could take a rest for even 2 days from looking after my little ones. They are lovely, but very tiring Anyway, had the first scan today, baby moving, heart beating all OK, very relieved, now just hoping for less nausea. Good luck to you too!

[Amandine.K]

*bump*

I was wondering, did it take long for you to receive the Kela package once you sent the papers back?

We sent everything beginning of May and haven't heard anything back from Kela. If I count right my maternity leave should start on June 27th, they are cutting it a bit short to confirm...

[LottaP]

^I think there must be a bit of a queue at Kela right now - payroll sent my my maternity benefits application to Kela on 18th April, and I finally received the pack this Monday, 4 weeks before the the due date. Cutting it a bit close!

[Amandine.K]

Hum could be then... They don't answer emails either. From the Kela pages I can see they received the application though. Well I still have 8 weeks to go before my due date.

[Olga]

I applied for KELA package straight away after getting the confirmation from neuvola about the pregnancy duration over 154 days. They also signed something electronically, so I filled in the data in KELA web pages, and in 4 weeks they sent the parcel to local post office.

[Amandine.K]

Still no sign of the Kela package but they just processed my forms for the äitysraha... I'm hopeful I'll get it before I give birth

[Gigi]

Hi girls,

I haven't been on this website for a while... But now that my holiday has started, I have some more time to visit the thread that I have started about a year ago.

First of all Amandine and Allie congratulations with your pregnancies.

I finally have also some good news, after 2 MC, I am 17 weeks pregnant.

How are you all doing? How far are your pregnancies?

Greetings,

Gigi

[Amandine.K]

Aw Gigi that's wonderful wonderful news! I am so happy for you! And now that the dreaded 12 weeks have passed I'm sure you're relieved!

I'm 34+2 today I think. So the end is near! And I can't wait as he's getting very heavy! Plus we're all impatient to see him

Btw I'll have a lot of maternity clothes for sale in a few weeks. Size L from H&M for everything. If anybody is interested feel free to pm me and I'll take pictures. I have dungarees, pregnancy trousers and jeans, one skirt, capri trousers, some jumpers for the winter, t-shirts etc. Obviously it won't be available til early August though.