Eesti Ämmaemandate Ühing Estonian Midwives Association

History History  “The Estonian Society of Midwives“ was founded 27 th February 1927  Society was re-established in 1992, initially carrying the name "Estonian Midwives Union"  Estonian Midwives Association became the the name of professional association on October 6th 1994.

Symbolism A brooch emphasizes the lasting values ​​ of life:  No matter how to turn the brooch, it is still a sign of cross  A continuous circle around the cross is the circle of life  All symbols refer to the birth of eternal life  Brooch is a very good brief summary of the Estonian ethnic ornaments

General situation  Midwifery organization in Estonia is Estonian Midwives Association.  We have 766 registered midwives in Estonia, 270 of them are members of Estonian Midwives Association.  There is about births per year.

General situation 2  Antenatal and postnatal independent midwifery led care is legalised since  Midwives’ antenatal visit is separately counted from nurses’ visits.

Midwifery education  There are 2 Health Care Colleges in Estonia - Tartu and Tallinn. About young midwives graduate per year.  Training time is 4,5 years, 270 ETCS. Admission is direct-entry. Curricula are competence-based since Described competences are based on the ICM basic competencies and EU directives. Most of the subjects/modules are carried out by the midwife-teachers. After graduation a young midwife has preparation and right to work as a midwife or a general nurse.

Midwifery education 2  There are 8 midwifery teachers with master’s degree, no PhD yet. EMA is actively participating in midwifery educational questions in all levels: development of curricula, following EU directives and supporting research.

EMA’s activities on national level  EMA works together with Ministry of Social Affairs to legalize independent midwifery led care during normal birth.  EMA board members have analyzed and composed the expertise judgement on necessity and efficiency of Pregnancy Crisis Counselling and on Infant Nutrition Guidelines - requested by Estonian Health Insurance Fund.

EMA’s activities on national level 2  Since 2010 EMA in collaboration with Estonian Gynaecologists’ Society (EGS) and Estonian Association of Family Doctors’ have developed new Guidelines for antenatal care. All midwives started to implement it since December 2011.

EMA’s activities on national level 3  The Breastfeeding National Commitee was founded in February 2012 by the Ministry of Social Affairs. EMA is represented with two delegates. The general purpose of the Commitee is to promote breastfeeding by starting the development of specific strategies to improve breastfeeding at all levels of health care and society.

EMA’s activities on national level 4  Webpage was created by Estonian Midwives Association in1999. Target group of this activity is young families, expecting mothers and fathers and families with children. The main purpose is to provide ante-, intra- and postnatal education and health education in general.

EMA’s activities on national level 5  EMA has a systematic calendar of post- graduation training program since This is to provide courses for midwives to facilitate life-long learning  Look at the website:

EMA’s activities on international level  EMA started to carry out an educational project in collaboration with Georgia in The project is financed by Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  EMA started to collaborate with Latvian Association of Midwives to share knowledge and expertise.  Estonian Midwives Association is an active member of EMA and ICM.

Contact  Adress: Mardi 3, Tallinn Registry code Swedbank SWIFT/BIC HABAEE2X IBAN EE  President: Siiri Põllumaa Tel: SA TÜK Naistekliinik, midwife Tartu Tervishoiu Kõrgkool, lector  Vicepresident: Elina Piirimäe Tel: project leader LTKH Raseduskeskus, midwife