Well, technically its really us, her parents, who are earning an additional 100 EURs/month since the birth of our baby, "Peanut".
The amount is from the Finnish social system and is paid to all parents with a child until the child reaches the age of 17. This family allowance (lapsilisä) is a social benefit to help parents purchase those basic child care items.
Unlike many of the monetary benefits paid by the social system, this is not subject to taxation and neither is to pro rated according to a families other income. While I certainly appreciate the additional income, however small it may be, I wonder if this is really a logical distribution of benefits. Honestly, in our case we don't really "need" the 100 EURs/month, whereas I can imagine there are families where it makes the difference of being able to live within their budget or not. Wouldn't it be more logical to allocate, say 200 EURs/month to these families and have some of us do without the benefit?
We've decided to put the monthly benefit for Peanut in a savings account which we are starting for her where all other gifts, etc will go. It'll be hers to do with as she pleases when she gets old enough. At this rate, she'll earn 1200 EUR/year and by the time she is 17, she'll have 20,400 EUR or even more assuming that the money is held in an interest-bearing account or invested prudently in bonds or similar. With that amount, Peanut will be able to begin a good education, start her own business or travel around the world -- all valuable life experiences.
When a family has more than one child, the family benefit amount increases per child.
The specifics are available on the KELA website.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Monday, June 06, 2005
My name is Baby X
Babies without names
When our Peanut was born everyone at the hospital simply assumed that she would be known as 'Mom's surname Girl' because in Finland most babies are not given their name until their christening ceremony around the age of 3 months.
So when you meet new parents they will usually be tight lipped about the baby's possible names and tell you the working name they are using. Sometimes this is a cute nickname, like Princess, Mr. Helsinki, Raisin, Bundle, Mini, and so on. Other parents will give their baby a real name - but, it just won't be what the baby will be called.
My theory is that the tradition is a holdover from the days when infant mortality was very high and many babies simply did not live to see their 2 - 3 month birthdays. Another reason friends of ours tell us is that they want to first get to know their baby and his/her personality before they can give it a name that reflects who they are.
The rules for naming your baby
Yes, in Finland there are even rules for what you can name your baby! These are set out by the Vaestorekisterikeskus (Population registration centers) and provided to new moms in a brochure at the hospital. I've heard tales of ministers refusing to christen children because the parents had not followed the guidelines.
FIRST NAMES
> at the most, a baby may be given three first names
> the first name cannot be inappropriate or cause the child problems
> a name is usually not approved if it is spelled in a different way than the usual spelling in Finland
> a boy cannot be given a girl's name and vice versa
> a last name is not suitable as a first name
> siblings and half-siblings can have the same name only when both have another first name in addition to the one they share
EXCEPTIONS!
> in case of religious beliefs
> nationality
> or other 'good reasons'
WEHN IN DOUBT
discuss your name ideas with the local maistraatti (courthouse) or Evangelical Luthern or Orthodox church, if you are a member.
The result is that there are many people with very similar names and in several cases the exact same name, except for the surname of course. :-) Also in Finland, American style birth announcements are not common. The Sunday pages of the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper however are filled with announcements of when a baby was christened and what their name is. Also mentioned are the names of the godparents.
Ella, Emma, Anni...Niko, Eetu, Juho topped the charts in 2003
For a list of most popular names and the number of times any given name has been used, visit the Vaestorekisterikeskus website at
https://192.49.222.187/Nimipalvelu/default.asp?L=3
When our Peanut was born everyone at the hospital simply assumed that she would be known as 'Mom's surname Girl' because in Finland most babies are not given their name until their christening ceremony around the age of 3 months.
So when you meet new parents they will usually be tight lipped about the baby's possible names and tell you the working name they are using. Sometimes this is a cute nickname, like Princess, Mr. Helsinki, Raisin, Bundle, Mini, and so on. Other parents will give their baby a real name - but, it just won't be what the baby will be called.
My theory is that the tradition is a holdover from the days when infant mortality was very high and many babies simply did not live to see their 2 - 3 month birthdays. Another reason friends of ours tell us is that they want to first get to know their baby and his/her personality before they can give it a name that reflects who they are.
The rules for naming your baby
Yes, in Finland there are even rules for what you can name your baby! These are set out by the Vaestorekisterikeskus (Population registration centers) and provided to new moms in a brochure at the hospital. I've heard tales of ministers refusing to christen children because the parents had not followed the guidelines.
FIRST NAMES
> at the most, a baby may be given three first names
> the first name cannot be inappropriate or cause the child problems
> a name is usually not approved if it is spelled in a different way than the usual spelling in Finland
> a boy cannot be given a girl's name and vice versa
> a last name is not suitable as a first name
> siblings and half-siblings can have the same name only when both have another first name in addition to the one they share
EXCEPTIONS!
> in case of religious beliefs
> nationality
> or other 'good reasons'
WEHN IN DOUBT
discuss your name ideas with the local maistraatti (courthouse) or Evangelical Luthern or Orthodox church, if you are a member.
The result is that there are many people with very similar names and in several cases the exact same name, except for the surname of course. :-) Also in Finland, American style birth announcements are not common. The Sunday pages of the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper however are filled with announcements of when a baby was christened and what their name is. Also mentioned are the names of the godparents.
Ella, Emma, Anni...Niko, Eetu, Juho topped the charts in 2003
For a list of most popular names and the number of times any given name has been used, visit the Vaestorekisterikeskus website at
https://192.49.222.187/Nimipalvelu/default.asp?L=3
ouch! Vaccinations start at age two DAYS
First Injection
Even before we left the hospital, at two days old our Peanut got her first injection; the tuberculosis vaccination (BCG).
Its not mandatory, but highly recommended to protect babies born in Finland against possible cases of TB carried across the border from Russia or from across the gulf from Estonia and the other Baltics. There are many workers from the areas working in Finland as well as brisk travel for pleasure and business by Finns to the countries.
Peanut got the shot in her left thigh as part of her 'exit check-up' with the doctor. The shot often leaves a tell-tale round mark that remains for the rest of a baby's life. She did not have any adverse side effects from the shot ; only a short cry in the doctors office and now, 7 weeks later, a slightly raised scab and reddish circle at the injection site.
The American Academy of Pediatrics in their Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for the US (Jan - June 2004) did not recommend the TB vaccine.
Schedule of Immunizations in Finland
According to the information sheet I recieved from my local health center (Neuvola), the following is the schedule of immunizations given in Finland:
AGE: less than one week
IMMUNIZATION: Tuberculosis (BCG)
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIACTRICS (AAP): no recommendation
AGE: 3 months
IMM: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis - whooping cough), IPV (Polio vaccine - inactive), Hib (Haemophilus influenza TypeB)
AAP: recommends first DTaP at 2 months - then 4 mos, 6 mos, 6 - 12 mos, 18 mos and 4 - 6 yrs
AAP: recommends first IPV at 2 months -then 4 mos, 6 to 18 mos and 4 - 6 yrs
AAP: recommends Hib beginning at 2 months of age
AGE: 5 months
IMM: DTaP, IPV, Hib
AAP: see above
AGE: 12 months
IMM: DTaP, IPV, Hib
AGE: 14 - 18 months
IMM: MPR (Measles - morbilli, mumps - parotitis, rubella)
AAP: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) at 12 - 15 mos and before 12 yrs
AGE: 4 yrs
IMM: DTaP, IPV
AGE: 6 yrs
IMM: MPR
AGE: 14 - 15 yrs
IMM: DTaP
Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following vaccinations not rountinely given in Finland. More specifics are available at their website www.aap.org.
Hepatitis B (HepB) - soon after birth and before hospital discharge
Varicella (chicken pox) - at any drs visit or after age 12 months for susceptible children (those without reliable history of chicken pox)
Pneumococcal (PVC) - age 2 to 23 months
Hepatitis A - recommended for children in selected states and regions and for certain high-risk groups. Those in above regions can get first shot at any visit and booster in following 6 mos.
Influenza - annually for children above 6 mos of age with certain risk factors. Healthy children age 6 - 23 mos are encouraged to get the vaccine.
Even before we left the hospital, at two days old our Peanut got her first injection; the tuberculosis vaccination (BCG).
Its not mandatory, but highly recommended to protect babies born in Finland against possible cases of TB carried across the border from Russia or from across the gulf from Estonia and the other Baltics. There are many workers from the areas working in Finland as well as brisk travel for pleasure and business by Finns to the countries.
Peanut got the shot in her left thigh as part of her 'exit check-up' with the doctor. The shot often leaves a tell-tale round mark that remains for the rest of a baby's life. She did not have any adverse side effects from the shot ; only a short cry in the doctors office and now, 7 weeks later, a slightly raised scab and reddish circle at the injection site.
The American Academy of Pediatrics in their Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for the US (Jan - June 2004) did not recommend the TB vaccine.
Schedule of Immunizations in Finland
According to the information sheet I recieved from my local health center (Neuvola), the following is the schedule of immunizations given in Finland:
AGE: less than one week
IMMUNIZATION: Tuberculosis (BCG)
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIACTRICS (AAP): no recommendation
AGE: 3 months
IMM: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis - whooping cough), IPV (Polio vaccine - inactive), Hib (Haemophilus influenza TypeB)
AAP: recommends first DTaP at 2 months - then 4 mos, 6 mos, 6 - 12 mos, 18 mos and 4 - 6 yrs
AAP: recommends first IPV at 2 months -then 4 mos, 6 to 18 mos and 4 - 6 yrs
AAP: recommends Hib beginning at 2 months of age
AGE: 5 months
IMM: DTaP, IPV, Hib
AAP: see above
AGE: 12 months
IMM: DTaP, IPV, Hib
AGE: 14 - 18 months
IMM: MPR (Measles - morbilli, mumps - parotitis, rubella)
AAP: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) at 12 - 15 mos and before 12 yrs
AGE: 4 yrs
IMM: DTaP, IPV
AGE: 6 yrs
IMM: MPR
AGE: 14 - 15 yrs
IMM: DTaP
Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following vaccinations not rountinely given in Finland. More specifics are available at their website www.aap.org.
Hepatitis B (HepB) - soon after birth and before hospital discharge
Varicella (chicken pox) - at any drs visit or after age 12 months for susceptible children (those without reliable history of chicken pox)
Pneumococcal (PVC) - age 2 to 23 months
Hepatitis A - recommended for children in selected states and regions and for certain high-risk groups. Those in above regions can get first shot at any visit and booster in following 6 mos.
Influenza - annually for children above 6 mos of age with certain risk factors. Healthy children age 6 - 23 mos are encouraged to get the vaccine.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Delivery from a dad's point of view
Sure, it is kinda late for me to post this now, Peanut is 7 weeks old. No, it did not take me 7 weeks to mentally recover from the delivery, we have recently moved and getting the new place up and running has taken quite some time. Anyway, this article is specifically for the non-physically-pregnant part of the couple. In most cases you will probably be "dad" like me - but this applies to anyone entering the maternity clinic to support a delivery.
So, in modern times in Finland, the dad is expected to play an active role in the delivery room. In all honesty, the thought of being there scared me. I don't handle blood well and the prospect of seeing my lovely wife in pain just made me feel like I did not want to be there. Which is silly really, because she probably needed my presence more than at any time before in her life [except for conceiving the baby :-)].
Despite your active role, do not expect the maternity hospital or the delivery room to specifically cater to the husband. You will have to bring your own food and drinks. Make sure you get some filling foods that will slowly release energy. A delivery can take quite some time (36 Hours in our case). Some caffinated drinks such as coke/pepsi might be good. Don't eat only sugar based energy boosters. They will give you a sugar rush, leaving you more tired than you were before you took it. We had our baby in Kätilöopisto and they have a small relaxation room for dads with a microwave, coffee maker and some other basics. Check it out on one of their tours.
In case of a long delivery, you are also going to make sure you get a break and some rest. When Peanut's mom got an epidural during the delivery process, she fell asleep. I took that time to quickly go home, freshen up and call my mom to get some support. You need to be in shape to support your wife when she gets back to feeling pain and in the final stages of delivery, so you need to manage your own energy levels to make sure you can do that. If the hospital is very full, like when we were having Peanut, you wont be able to sleep in the hospital during your breaks in the birthing process or after the birth. If the hospital is far from home (>20 mins) make sure you can crash at a friend's place close to the hospital or book a nearby hotel. If you are going to Kätilöopisto in Helsinki, there is a Holiday-Inn hotel next to "Messukeskus", close to Hartwall Areena, about 10-15 minutes from the hospital by car.
In the delivery room there really is not that much you can do. The midwife will take care of all the essentials. Ask her to explain what she's doing so you know what is going on. Most midwives speak decent English. Note that a midwife in Finland is really an educated health worker. She's authorized to give injections, install drips etc.
Way before delivery, discuss with the soon to be mother how she would like to give birth. Go through the birth plan if she has one. If she doesn't have one, make one with her. See a previous article on this blog for details. This way you can help in directing the delivery in the way that the mother to be would like. Once the contractions start coming thick and fast, she wont be able to talk or concentrate much, but decisions will need to be made. Other than that, you can help with pain relief, for instance by helping her take the laughing gass in time, applying a hotpack to the lower back and wiping her forehead with a cold cloth.
Once in the pushing stage, your need to support her will depend on the birthing position. If she's on her back, there probably isn't much you can do. If she's ona birthing stool, you'll have to physically support her, which makes for an intense and involved experience. But let that not dictate what position to use, the most important thing is that the baby makes it out quick and safe, the 2nd most important that mom-to-be is as healthy and comfortable as possible.
Finally, giving birth is not a clean, clinical process. There is pain, blood, liquids, needles etc. But you will not be bothered by any of this. You will hardly remember it afterwards. I am probably the least suitable person to enter the delivery room when it comes to these things, but I survived and that means you can do it too. And it is a great experience!
So, in modern times in Finland, the dad is expected to play an active role in the delivery room. In all honesty, the thought of being there scared me. I don't handle blood well and the prospect of seeing my lovely wife in pain just made me feel like I did not want to be there. Which is silly really, because she probably needed my presence more than at any time before in her life [except for conceiving the baby :-)].
Despite your active role, do not expect the maternity hospital or the delivery room to specifically cater to the husband. You will have to bring your own food and drinks. Make sure you get some filling foods that will slowly release energy. A delivery can take quite some time (36 Hours in our case). Some caffinated drinks such as coke/pepsi might be good. Don't eat only sugar based energy boosters. They will give you a sugar rush, leaving you more tired than you were before you took it. We had our baby in Kätilöopisto and they have a small relaxation room for dads with a microwave, coffee maker and some other basics. Check it out on one of their tours.
In case of a long delivery, you are also going to make sure you get a break and some rest. When Peanut's mom got an epidural during the delivery process, she fell asleep. I took that time to quickly go home, freshen up and call my mom to get some support. You need to be in shape to support your wife when she gets back to feeling pain and in the final stages of delivery, so you need to manage your own energy levels to make sure you can do that. If the hospital is very full, like when we were having Peanut, you wont be able to sleep in the hospital during your breaks in the birthing process or after the birth. If the hospital is far from home (>20 mins) make sure you can crash at a friend's place close to the hospital or book a nearby hotel. If you are going to Kätilöopisto in Helsinki, there is a Holiday-Inn hotel next to "Messukeskus", close to Hartwall Areena, about 10-15 minutes from the hospital by car.
In the delivery room there really is not that much you can do. The midwife will take care of all the essentials. Ask her to explain what she's doing so you know what is going on. Most midwives speak decent English. Note that a midwife in Finland is really an educated health worker. She's authorized to give injections, install drips etc.
Way before delivery, discuss with the soon to be mother how she would like to give birth. Go through the birth plan if she has one. If she doesn't have one, make one with her. See a previous article on this blog for details. This way you can help in directing the delivery in the way that the mother to be would like. Once the contractions start coming thick and fast, she wont be able to talk or concentrate much, but decisions will need to be made. Other than that, you can help with pain relief, for instance by helping her take the laughing gass in time, applying a hotpack to the lower back and wiping her forehead with a cold cloth.
Once in the pushing stage, your need to support her will depend on the birthing position. If she's on her back, there probably isn't much you can do. If she's ona birthing stool, you'll have to physically support her, which makes for an intense and involved experience. But let that not dictate what position to use, the most important thing is that the baby makes it out quick and safe, the 2nd most important that mom-to-be is as healthy and comfortable as possible.
Finally, giving birth is not a clean, clinical process. There is pain, blood, liquids, needles etc. But you will not be bothered by any of this. You will hardly remember it afterwards. I am probably the least suitable person to enter the delivery room when it comes to these things, but I survived and that means you can do it too. And it is a great experience!
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