Family School lectures

The social worker introduces the rights related to employment during pregnancy and what working conditions are suitable for pregnant women without endangering their health. The lecturer also explains how maternity leave is calculated and what maternity benefits consist of. The options for parental leave for both mothers and fathers in our country are also discussed.
The process for registering the birth of a child is explained, along with the different types of family benefits currently available and legislation related to children.

You can participate in the lecture at the Women's Health Clinic:

• On-site participation — the lecture takes place once a month in the Women's Health Clinic and offers the opportunity to ask questions directly to the social worker. Advance booking is required.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the body’s need for protein, minerals and vitamins increases. The nutritionist explains which foods are important for the growth and development of the baby during pregnancy.

Topics include what to do if your diet feels limited, when vitamin supplements may be necessary, how much sugar is appropriate, how often to eat, what to do if you have little appetite, and how much coffee can be consumed during pregnancy. Advice is also given on managing high blood sugar levels and relieving iron deficiency.

Participation in the lecture

• The lecture can be listened to as a pre-recording, which is available for 30 days.

The midwife explains how to recognise when labour has started and what signs may appear beforehand. They also explain what happens when the waters break, when to come to the maternity hospital, and what takes place in the admissions department. You will learn what is monitored during labour, what equipment is available in the delivery room, and how tools such as a support frame, birthing ball, bath or wall bars may be used. The midwife also explains how to cope with contractions, how fear and tension can affect labour, how contractions progress, and how pain may be relieved. Different methods of pain relief are discussed, including the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The lecture also explains what happens immediately after the baby is born and what procedures are carried out for both mother and baby in the delivery room.

Please dress comfortably so you can practice birthing postures during the session. The lecture includes practical exercises using mats, birthing balls and floor exercises. You are welcome to attend with the partner or support person who will be present during your childbirth.

You can participate either in person at the Women's Health Clinic or by listening to a pre-recording:

• On-site participation — the lecture takes place once a month at the Women’s Health Clinic and offers the opportunity to ask questions to the midwife. Advance booking is requiered.
• Listen to a pre-recorded lecture — the recording can be viewed for 30 days after purchase. Recordings can be found in our online store.

Our maternity ward is equipped with baths in every delivery room. These can be used both for pain relief and for giving birth. The midwife explains when to use the bath, why water can help during labour, how long it is safe to stay in the water, and how the support person can assist the mother during water labour. The lecture also explains different positions for giving birth in water and the benefits of water birth for both the mother and the baby.

You can take part in the lecture either at the Women’s Health Clinic or by listening to a pre-recording:

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions to the midwife who supervises water births. An advance booking is required. You can make a booking here.
• The lecture can also be listened to as a pre-recording available for 30 days.

The midwife explains the nature of labour pain and how contractions affect the body. The lecture discusses ways to cope with labour pain and how fear and tension can influence the experience of labour.

Alternative pain relief methods are discussed, including positive emotional support, water therapy, relaxation techniques, aqua-block injections and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Medical pain relief options used during childbirth are also explained, along with pain relief used for suturing after birth and managing postpartum discomfort.

You can take part in the lecture either at the Women's Health Clinic or by listening to a pre-recording:

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions to the midwife. Advance booking is required. You can make a booking here.
• The lecture can be listened to as a pre-recording available for 30 days.

Midwives explain what contractions are and how cervical dilation occurs. You will learn techniques to remain calm and confident during labour. The session includes practising breathing techniques used during contractions and learning how to work with the body during labour. Different relaxation techniques are introduced and participants are given exercises to practise at home to help prepare for childbirth.

You can take part in the lecture either at the Women's Health Clinic or by listening to a pre-recording:

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions to the midwife. Advanced booking is required. You can make a booking here.
• The lecture can also be listened to as a pre-recording available for 30 days.

You are encouraged to attend this session with the support person who will accompany you during childbirth. The session includes practical exercises, so please wear comfortable clothing.

The midwife explains the different stages of childbirth and how a support person can assist the mother during labour. Support persons are taught massage techniques that can help relieve discomfort in the back, shoulders, arms and legs during labour. Breathing and vocal techniques for supporting the mother during contractions are also practised.

The session also discusses expectations, emotions and responsibilities for support persons during childbirth.

You can take part in the lecture either at the Women's Health Clinic or by listening to a pre-recording:

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions to the midwife. Advanced booking is required. You can make a booking here.
• The lecture can also be listened to as a pre-recording available for 30 days.

The midwife explains what happens immediately after the baby is born and what procedures are carried out in the delivery room. You will learn about changes that occur in the body after childbirth, including bleeding, stitches, constipation and breast changes. Procedures performed in the maternity hospital are explained, including the vitamin K injection for the newborn and the tuberculosis vaccine. Pelvic floor exercises are taught to support recovery after childbirth. The session also discusses menstruation, sexuality, mental wellbeing and when it is safe to resume exercise.

You can take part in the lecture either at the Women’s Health Clinic or by listening to a pre-recording:

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions to the midwife. Advanced booking is required. You can make a booking here.
• The lecture can also be listened to as a pre-recording available for 30 days.

The midwife provides guidance on starting breastfeeding and feeding the baby during the first days and weeks of life.

The session explains how breast milk production begins, when to start breastfeeding, and how to position the baby correctly at the breast. The correct sucking technique is explained, along with signs that breastfeeding is going well.

You will also learn how often a baby should be fed, how to recognise hunger cues, how to maintain breast milk production, and how to know that the baby is growing well. The session includes guidance on expressing breast milk and storing it safely.

You can take part in the lecture either at the Women's Health Clinic or by listening to a pre-recording:

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions to the midwife. Advanced booking is required. You can make a booking here.
• The lecture can also be listened to as a pre-recording available for 30 days.

The midwife explains what is monitored for the baby immediately after birth and discusses the first hours of a newborn’s life, including skin-to-skin contact and the Apgar score. You will learn how to care for a newborn, including cleaning the eyes and umbilical cord, washing the baby, and changing nappies. Practical demonstrations include swaddling, dressing, lifting the baby safely and soothing the baby in case of gas pains. Many practical tips for supporting the healthy development of the baby are also shared.

You can take part in the lecture either at the Women's Health Clinic on site or by listening to a pre-recording:

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions to the midwife. Advanced booking is required. You can make a booking here.
• The lecture can also be listened to as a pre-recording available for 30 days.

Alongside the joy and excitement of expecting a baby, pregnancy can also cause uncertainty and doubt. Parents may wonder whether their relationship is strong enough to provide a stable family environment, whether they will be good parents, if they can ask family for support and how they will manage financially. Feelings of happiness may sometimes mix with sadness.

Learning how to communicate these feelings with loved ones and understanding your own emotions can help during this period of adjustment. Partners may also have their own concerns and responsibilities as they prepare for parenthood. Adapting to this new stage of life can raise many questions.

We invite you to attend this lecture led by our psychologist, who will help you gain clarity and feel more confident about the changes ahead.

Participation in the lecture

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions. Advanced booking is required. You can make a booking here.

Anaesthetic nurse Lii Luhaäär explains important first aid topics that every parent should know in order to help a child until an ambulance arrives.

• How to check whether a baby is conscious, how to open the airways, and how to resuscitate an infant or toddler until the ambulance arrives
• What to do in cases of trauma such as falls, concussion, open wounds and bleeding
• How to help a child who cannot breathe, and if foreign objects are stuck in the airway (food, toys, coins)
• Burns and first aid
• What to do urgently to save a child from drowning. A toddler can drown even in shallow water
• How to prevent poisoning and what to do if this occurs
• How to reduce a fever and what should be in the home medicine cabinet

You can take part in the lecture either at the Women's Health Clinic or by listening to a pre-recording:

• You can attend the lecture each month in the Women's Health Clinic and ask questions to the anaesthetic nurse with experience. An advance booking is required. You can make a booking here.
• The lecture can also be listened to as a pre-recording available for 30 days.

We begin the introduction to the maternity hospital with a gathering in the hall on the 2nd floor of the Women's Health Clinic.

First, a visual overview is presented using a series of images. The midwife explains which entrance to use to access the admissions department, what happens there first, and you then move to the delivery room.

The procedures of the maternity hospital are explained, including available services and prices, and the midwife answers any questions. Afterwards, we take a tour of the maternity ward, visit the delivery rooms, and see the equipment available for childbirth. We also visit the postpartum rooms, including the standard room, the mother-and-baby room and the family room. You are very welcome to familiarise yourself with the maternity hospital before giving birth with us.

Participation in the lecture
Maternity hospital induction sessions can be attended each month at the Women's Health Clinic. Participants can ask questions to the midwife. Advanced booking is required. Bookings can be made here.

We gather in the Women's Health Clinic. First, we go through a series of pictures and videos showing the services available for expectant mothers at the Family Centre. Preparatory lectures for childbirth are also introduced.

• Why exercise is beneficial during pregnancy, what should be limited and what is safe. Exercise options in water and in the gym hall are also discussed.
• A pregnancy shower massage — how it is carried out and what it is used for.
• What you can do at the Family Centre with your baby and when it is the right time to attend.
• Introduction to the price list.
• We conduct a tour of the Family Centre, including the massage room, bath area, swimming pool, exercise hall and pram storage. You may also see pregnancy water exercise, baby swimming sessions or exercise classes for babies.

Participation

• Family Centre introduction sessions take place monthly at the Women's Health Clinic and include a tour of the Family Centre. Participants can ask questions to the midwife. Bookings should be made in advance here.

See more about the services provided in the Family Centre before and after childbirth.

First solid foods – when to start, what to give and in what quantities;

• What kind of food is not suitable for a teenage child;
• Whether to choose shop-bought baby food or prepare food at home
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Feeding your baby while travelling or visiting others

Midwives recommend introducing complementary foods from around 6 months of age and will explain how to start in a safe and healthy way.

Nutritionist Külli Holsting shares useful advice and answers questions.

There are mats on the floor so you can sit comfortably with your baby and feed them during the session if needed. Please bring non-messy toys for your child.

Lecture fee: €12. Payment can be made at the Family Centre reception before the lecture.

Register for the lecture through the online booking system by selecting lectures in Estonian.

In Estonian: 13 February at 1pm

From the 20th of each month, the following month's lectures become available in the online booking system and booking opens.

In Estonian: every Monday at 1.30pm

Topics for the Baby Parent Discussion Group can be found siit.

From the 20th of each month, the following month's lectures become available in the online booking system and booking opens.

Preparing for your next birth is a lecture and discussion group for women who have previously given birth.

This is a safe and supportive discussion group where questions and experiences are welcome.

• How previous birth experiences can affect the next birth
• What to do if something from a previous birth still feels unresolved
• How to prepare more consciously and calmly
• What choices are available this time

An experienced midwife will guide the session.

The session takes place in the Women’s Health Clinic:

• The lecture takes place in the Women's Health Clinic and offers the opportunity to ask questions to the midwife. Advanced booking is required and can be made here.

In Estonian: 23 March at 4.30pm

From the 20th of each month, the following month’s lectures become available in the online booking system and booking opens.