AFFORDABLE OULU is a series of articles with a bit of a financial overview, for those of you planning to come and stay in Oulu. In our monthly interviews we will ask several foreigners of various nationalities, marital, family and work backgrounds about the costs of living in Oulu.

New Parents Talk Benefits and Baby Expenses

Our series on Affordable Oulu continues. This month new parents Adrian and Monika discuss the price of having a baby in Oulu – from health care to baby clothes. The couple moved to Oulu from Poland six years ago. Adrian is a research engineer at VTT while Monika, a graduate in economics, looks after their nine month-old son Julek.

Monika feels positive about the health care provided for Oulu’s expectant mothers. “I was very satisfied,” she says. “As a person residing in Finland for a longer period, I have a KELA (national security) card. All my visits to the local neuvola (maternity clinic) were free of charge. The medical personnel were nice, friendly, and helpful to me.” She admits that as her Finnish skills are still very basic, she would not have managed to inquire in Finnish about her and the baby’s health. “But there was no communication problem as far as I was concerned” she says. “Nurses, midwives and doctors spoke in English to me. I was well informed and aware of mine and the baby’s health state and the pregnancy development.

”Expectant mothers in Finland have two routine ultrasound examinations free of charge at the city hospital. Monika says that she decided to have more ultrasounds because her pregnancy was a bit complicated and risky. “For my own peace of mind” she smiles. The extra examinations were held at the women’s polyclinic of the University Hospital at 20 Euros a visit. The tests themselves were free. “I also went to see a private gynaecologist at Gyneko clinic and that was quite expensive, 160 Euros. But we were advised to send the bill afterwards to KELA and then we received some compensation.

”Newborn Julek suffered from jaundice (the baby’s skin looks yellow due to the build-up of bilirubin), for which he underwent phototherapy. Monika stayed with him for 8 days at the hospital until he was fit enough to be discharged. “On the day we left hospital, we received a bill but only for our stay. The treatments and medicine we received during the birth and afterwards were free of charge.

”In Finland it is very common that the father is also present at the birth. “Family birth is very well organised and completely free of charge. I was very happy to have Adrian next to me,” says Monika. “But what I really considered the biggest aid was the 15 working days holiday that Adrian, like every other father of a newborn baby in Finland, had the right to take from work.

” What about financial aid for expecting parents? What benefits can you receive in Finland, with a new member of the family coming?

“About two months before the end of my pregnancy we received quite a substantial package from KELA. I was surprised how big the box was, 8 kilos. Inside was almost everything a new-born baby might need in the first months of its life: baby clothes, nappies, overalls and other warm clothes, a baby bath towel, baby care toiletries, and a couple of toys. Very useful things and all for free!” says Monika. “I calculated what I would have had to spend on the same things; the cost was surprisingly high. Plus getting a ready parcel saved me a lot of looking around. As a first time mum, I actually had no idea what I should buy before my baby was born. The package solved my problem“ – she smiles.

Any cash benefits?

“We receive the parent’s benefits: maternity allowance (later on called parental allowance, but the sum is almost the same) and family allowance.” Maternity allowance is calculated from a mother’s recent earnings. For an unemployed person like Monika, the statutory minimum is 15.20 Euros per day. “Not a lot but it definitely covers the most basic costs of baby’s expenses: nappies, milk, other food,” adds Monika. Family allowance is paid from the day a child is born until he/she is 17 years old. The amount, 100 Euros a month for the first child, is the same for everyone. With every following child this amount is slightly higher.

What about baby expenses? Can you give some price examples for necessities?

“Our first big purchase was a safety seat for the car. We wanted a good quality one so we paid 120 Euros for it – actually not much more expensive than the ones we saw in shops in Poland,” admits Monika. “A baby’s bed, mattress, bed clothes, and a lot of baby’s clothes we received from a friend who did not plan to have more kids. A good solution for those who don’t plan to stay very long in Oulu and might not have more children here.” The baby’s pram was also a gift, this time from Julek’s grandparents. But remember the piles of snow on the pavements during long winter months. Pram prices range from 200 Euros to 850 Euros, but better to spend more on a good pram than to struggle during the walks.

“For the first few months of Julek’s life our expenses were limited to Pampers and baby milk. Not much and it’s easily covered with the mother’s and family allowance. At the moment, our son eats various baby foods and is growing quite fast. Our monthly expenses are two bags of nappies at 30 Euros; clothes at 20-30 Euros; milk, baby food, and porridge at 100 Euros; and Julek’s first hobby-expense, baby swim lessons, at 30 Euros. Plus some toys and unplanned expenses of about 30 Euros. Altogether, easily 200 Euros each month.

” Finally, what advice would you give to a family moving to Oulu that is planning to have a baby?

“Benefits here for babies’ families are great but remember you have to be a resident in Finland for at least six months before the calculated birth date to be eligible for the grants and allowances. If you know you are moving to Finland and plan to have a bigger family, take the requirements into consideration.”

Lena Viskari