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Healthcare workers emphasize digital skills for overcoming language barriers in childbirth at Tyks maternity ward in Finland

Sunday 6th 2024 on 13:49 in  
Finland

Healthcare workers are increasingly required to possess digital skills during childbirth, especially when the birthing person comes from a foreign background and there is a language barrier. Nowadays, interpreters can participate remotely, and midwife Anna Tunnela from Turku University Hospital’s delivery ward reports that innovative solutions are often employed.

“Birthing individuals often prefer using Google Translate, as interpreters may not be familiar with our specific medical terminology. Sometimes, the birther has laughed at the interpretations provided by the translator. Ultimately, we have resorted to utilizing translation applications,” says Tunnela.

At the Tyks maternity ward, two support persons are allowed during deliveries, but the number of visitors could be even greater. “During delivery, many relatives can join via video call. In the middle of labor, loved ones can cheer and shout instructions,” she explains.

Foreign women give birth at Tyks almost daily, sometimes making up half of the ten births occurring on a given day, amounting to about 4,000 births each year. Language difficulties and a lack of interpreters can lead to tense situations in emergencies, such as urgent cesareans, where the birther may not fully grasp the urgency of their care, potentially causing delays.

According to head physician Nanneli Pallasmaa, they’ve successfully avoided life-threatening situations, but communication is crucial. They prioritize the best outcome for the mother and child, even when it means engaging male staff, despite cultural differences.

Anna Heikkilä, who moved from Russia to Finland 16 years ago, highlights the importance of discussing childbirth in immigrant communities, expressing a desire for information on Finnish practices, which can differ greatly from those in other countries. Statistics indicate that around 7,000 children were born to foreign mothers in Finland in recent years, contributing to a total of approximately 43,000 births in 2023.

Source 
(via yle.fi)