Mothers raise concerns over maternity care at HUS Women’s Clinic in Finland

A group of 61 mothers has sent an open letter to the HUS Women’s Clinic expressing their concerns about the facility’s operations. The signatories, who gave birth at the clinic this year, reported various issues within the maternity wards 52 and 61. Janika Niskanen, one of the initiators and signatories, shared that the idea stemmed from her personal experience.

Niskanen described her time at the clinic as feeling unsafe and chaotic, where the quality of care depended largely on what the patient could demand. She noted that staff seemed to be under pressure, which may have contributed to their own discomfort.

The group connected through Facebook parenting groups and highlighted that while experiences differed, each mother encountered problems during their stay. “Various organizations reached out wanting to join the initiative,” Niskanen explained. They formed a small task force to collaborate on the letter.

The letter was submitted to the HUS group on Thursday, and the Women’s Clinic confirmed receipt, stating they are currently working on a response, though they did not provide an interview by Thursday afternoon.

In the letter, the mothers expressed a shared sense of insecurity, dismissal of their needs, and loneliness during their hospital stays. They emphasized the frenetic atmosphere led to sleeplessness, jeopardizing their ability to care for their babies. Additionally, crucial information often failed to reach the right personnel, and guidance on parenting and breastfeeding was deemed insufficient.

Niskanen concluded by calling for improvements in care practices, effective communication, proper guidance, humane treatment, as well as increased resources and focus on staff expertise.