jordmortjenesten

Jordmortjenesten refers to the publicly funded maternity care service that coordinates midwifery and related prenatal, birth, and postnatal care. It centers on normal pregnancies and is designed to provide continuous, person-centered support by licensed midwives, with access to obstetric expertise when risk factors are identified. The service typically operates within a broader health system and collaborates with hospitals, birth centers, and primary care providers to ensure coordinated care from early pregnancy through the postpartum period.

Organization within Jordmortjenesten is usually structured into regional units that align with health authorities or municipalities. Midwives are employed by or contracted through the public health system, and teams work with obstetricians, pediatricians, and other professionals to conduct risk assessment, screening, and referrals as needed. The service emphasizes continuity of care, respectful maternity care, and evidence-based practices.

Core services include prenatal visits for risk assessment, counseling, and birth planning; attendance at labor and delivery, with options for home or hospital birth depending on risk status and preferences; postpartum follow-up visits for physical recovery, newborn care, and lactation support; and newborn screening and early intervention when required. Education and support for families, including breastfeeding guidance and parenting information, are also offered.

Historically, Jordmortjenesten developed as part of broader maternal health reforms aimed at reducing complications and mortality associated with childbirth. Over time, it has evolved to incorporate standardized guidelines, transfer pathways for high-risk pregnancies, and measures to improve equity and access, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

Current challenges include workforce shortages, geographic disparities in access, and the need for ongoing integration with primary care and emergency services. Ongoing reforms focus on strengthening continuity of care, data collection, and patient-centered outcomes.

See also: Midwife, Obstetrics, Neonatal care, Maternal health, Public health system.