Pregnancy
There are many things to prepare before giving birth. See the list below.
Birth registration and paternity recognition
All children born in Norway must be registered. Paternity can be acknowledged during pregnancy, usually at a check-up with a midwife or doctor.
Birth notification
The hospital or the person present at the birth must send a birth notification to the National Population Register.
National identity number and parents
All birth notifications are registered centrally. A national identity number is automatically assigned based on the child’s date of birth and gender. The mother, and possibly the father, place of birth, citizenship, and some statistical information are also registered.
Address
If the mother is registered as living in Norway, the child will be registered at the same address.
Surname and name
Once the child has received a national identity number, the Tax Administration sends a message to the parent(s) with parental responsibility to choose a name. This message includes the child’s identity number. If both parents share parental responsibility and the mother has submitted the name choice, the father/co-mother must approve it. The father/co-mother will receive a separate message from the Tax Administration.
You can read more about Children who are born in Norway - The Norwegian Tax Administration
Paternity test
The maternity ward often receives questions about paternity testing. If you need a test, please contact your GP (fastlege).
Birth record
Electronic registration in the birth journal
The hospital needs some information about you to help make your birth experience as good as possible.
Please fill out this form as soon as possible after week 18 of your pregnancy. Log in using Bank-ID:
Birth Record Admission form - Helsenorge
The information you provide will be added to your birth journal, which is very helpful when you come in for check-ups or to give birth.
If you have questions about the form, you can call us on 52 73 23 90 between 08:00 and 15:00.
Checklist – what to bring to the hospital
For all pregnancy check-ups and when you are admitted to the maternity ward, it is important to bring:
- Pregnancy health card
- Blood group and Rhesus form
- Ultrasound report
- Any other blood test results you have received
Right to access your medical record
You have the right to see your medical record. You can view it by logging in at helsenorge.no, see Patient records - Helsenorge
We also want to inform you that the hospital is required by law to send birth information to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MFR).
Bringing a companion
A healthy father or partner is welcome to join pregnancy check-ups.
We also make arrangements so that your partner or companion can be present during the birth.
Pregnancy outpatient clinic
The pregnancy outpatient clinic is a specialist service for pregnant women receiving care at Haugesund Hospital.
Please remember to bring a morning urine sample to your appointment.
Ultrasound
Early ultrasound: weeks 11–13
Routine ultrasound: weeks 18–19
All women in our region are offered a routine ultrasound to help determine the due date.
The outpatient clinic also supports women who experience complications during pregnancy, or who have had complications in earlier pregnancies. Women with medical conditions who need extra follow-up during pregnancy are also referred here.
If you would like to speak with a midwife because of a difficult birth experience in the past or fear of giving birth, you can be referred to us.
Ultrasound examination of pregnant women in Norway - Helsenorge
Afraid of giving birth?
Being pregnant can be a time filled with joy, excitement and expectations. It’s a period where you prepare for the birth and for welcoming a baby into your home. Most people go through this together with their partner, close family and friends, midwife and doctor.
Sometimes, the thought of giving birth can cause so much worry and anxiety that regular contact with pregnancy care isn’t enough. You may need extra time to prepare, or to work through earlier negative experiences. In such cases, it can be helpful to make a plan for how to manage a normal birth, or to discuss different birth options with the staff at the maternity unit.
At the maternity ward, we have midwives who specialise in supporting women with fear of childbirth. They offer conversations and support, and have long experience in helping women give birth. They also work closely with a gynaecologist.
What if I go past my due date?
It’s not clear why labour doesn’t always start before 42 weeks of pregnancy.
In some women, the placenta may work less effectively after 42 weeks, which can affect the baby’s growth or reduce the amount of amniotic fluid. That’s why pregnancies that go past the due date are followed up carefully.
There are clear routines, based on national guidelines, for how overdue pregnancies should be monitored.
If you go past your due date
If your pregnancy goes past your due date, contact your GP (fastlege) or midwife to be referred to the hospital. You will be offered an examination 4–7 days after your due date. You will meet with a midwife and an obstetrician.
After talking about how you’re feeling and how your pregnancy has been, both you and your baby will be examined.
What happens with the baby?
Your belly will be checked to see how the baby is positioned and to assess the size of your belly and baby.
The baby’s heartbeat will be monitored – this gives important information about the baby’s condition.
An ultrasound will be done to check how the baby is growing and how much amniotic fluid is being produced.
What does this mean for you?
The doctor and midwife need to know how you’re feeling. Most people feel tired and impatient when the due date has passed – this is completely normal.
If there are other factors affecting your or your baby’s condition, the doctor needs to know about them.
The doctor will often do a gynaecological examination to check how soft and open the cervix is. This is important when deciding whether labour can be started and which method is best for you.
After all the examinations, the doctor will make an overall assessment of what is best for you and your baby. You will have the chance to discuss this and ask questions.
What happens next?
Based on the results, several options may be considered. If everything looks fine with you and the baby, you will go home and wait for labour to start naturally.
Before you leave, you will be given an appointment to return to the maternity ward to start labour if it hasn’t begun on its own.
Delivery rooms, observation rooms and postnatal rooms
Delivery rooms
We have five delivery rooms. Each room has its own bathroom with shower and toilet. One of the rooms also has a bathtub. As far as possible, you may choose which delivery room you would like to use during labour.
Observation rooms
Sometimes a pregnancy doesn’t progress normally. Labour may start before the due date, or blood pressure may rise. In such cases, the mother may be admitted to the ward for observation, either for a short or longer period.
Postnatal rooms
We have shared rooms for two people, a few single rooms, and four family rooms. Most postnatal rooms have their own toilet and shower.
If the single and shared rooms are not in use by pregnant women, they may also be used for postnatal care. Unfortunately, we cannot offer overnight accommodation for your companion. They usually need to arrange their own accommodation, although special arrangements may be possible in certain cases.
Family rooms
Family rooms are available for healthy mothers. Here, you can have someone stay with you around the clock. Your baby stays with you throughout your stay. You are welcome to use your own baby clothes, but baby clothing is also available.
Your companion pays for food and accommodation. We have four family rooms. The price for a partner or father staying overnight in a family room is 615.10 NOK per night, including all meals.
Our family rooms have shared toilets and showers in the hallway, used by both the postnatal and neonatal intensive care units.
Meals for mothers
Our canteen is located near the children’s ward. You can eat all meals there.
Companions pay for overnight stays and meals. An invoice will be sent after discharge.