Eesti Ämmaemandate
Ühing
Estonian Midwives Association
History
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“The Estonian Society of Midwives“ was
founded 27th 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 14 800 births per year.
General situation 2
 Antenatal and postnatal independent
midwifery led care is legalised since
1.04.2010.
 Midwives’ antenatal visit is separately
counted from nurses’ visits.
Midwifery education
 There are 2 Health Care Colleges in
Estonia - Tartu and Tallinn. About 20-40
young midwives graduate per year.
 Training time is 4,5 years, 270
ETCS. Admission is direct-entry. Curricula are
competence-based since 2009. 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 www.perekool.ee 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 postgraduation training program since 2012.
This is to provide courses for midwives
to facilitate life-long learning
 Look at the website:
www.ammaemand.org.ee
EMA’s activities on
international level
 EMA started to carry out an educational
project in collaboration with Georgia in
2011. 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 10145
Registry code 80052212
Swedbank
SWIFT/BIC HABAEE2X
IBAN EE332200001120147839

President: Siiri Põllumaa
Tel: 506 7938
SA TÜK Naistekliinik, midwife
siiri.pollumaa@kliinikum.ee
Tartu Tervishoiu Kõrgkool, lector
siiripollumaa@nooruse.ee

Vicepresident: Elina Piirimäe
Tel: 5343 9836
www.perekool.ee, project leader
elina@perekool.ee
LTKH Raseduskeskus, midwife
elina.piirimae@keskhaigla.ee