Home Visits by Midwives During the First Years of Life

Project facts

Project promoter:
 Foundation Centre for A Child’s Wellbeing(EE)
Project Number:
EE-LOCALDEV-0035
Status:
Completed
Final project cost:
€214,848
Other Project Partners
Estonian Association of Midwives(EE)
National Institute for Health Development(EE)
Põltsamaa municipality(EE)
Rakvere city government(EE)
Tallinn University(EE)
Tartu Health Care College(EE)
Tartu University Hospital(EE)
Türi municipality(EE)
Viljandi city government(EE)

Description

Project objective is to create an action model for assessing and mitigating risks affecting the well-being of pregnant women and families with a child with repeated postpartum home visits carried out by a midwife in cooperation with local governments and health care institutions in different regions across Estonia.

The project activities will result in:

  • two assessment tools have been used for risk assessment, which can be used to screen for family risk factors before and/or following the birth of a child;
  • a preparatory training plan and instructional materials for repeated home visits by the midwife have been created;
  • at least 40 midwives have received training and skills for repeated home visits;
  • the journey of support for a family at risk, its expected impact and applicability in Estonia are described;
  • the well-being of at least 40 families has been improved through home visits by a midwife following childbirth;
  • an impact assessment has been prepared and proposals have been made for the further implementation and financing of the intervention;
  • at least 250 specialists from across Estonia have been notified of the new service and the principles of its implementation.

Summary of project results

Create an action model for assessing and mitigating risks affecting the well-being of pregnant women and families with a child with repeated postpartum home visits carried out by a midwife in cooperation with local governments and health care institutions in different regions across Estonia.

* An action model was created for assessing and mitigating risks affecting the well-being of pregnant women and families with a child with repeated postpartum home visits carried out by a midwife

* The model was piltoted during 1 year in 7 different counties. 

* Training module for Midwifes'' home visits was deleloped; 43 midwives partcipated and finished the training

* Midwives made 327 house calls and filled in a check-lists for every visit regarding the risks – Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Calgary screening test, in order to detect early the risk factors and offer necessary help. 

The home visits of midwives are a nationally provided service by Health Insurance Fund. The action model for assessing and mitigating risks affecting the well-being of pregnant women and families with a child can be integrated into its working procedures. The project has also produced an impact assessment study of the pilot that has been presented to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health Insurance Fund, National Institute for Health Development as well as to the Estonian Midwives Association. 

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.