When 1813 can't help – pregnant women's challenges in the public system

For many pregnant women there are moments when they worry whether everything is as it should be. Perhaps the baby is moving less than usual, perhaps sudden pains or an unexpected sensation appear. In such situations many seek help through the 1813 medical helpline – but unfortunately, several find that it is not always possible to get the guidance they hope for.

A system with limited options

1813 was created to handle acute and urgent enquiries from the whole population. The system is not, however, specifically designed to handle questions and concerns related to pregnancy. Many pregnant women are therefore met with the message to contact their own doctor or midwife the next day – even when the worry feels urgent.

For the pregnant woman this can be frustrating and unsettling. The need to be seen, heard and reassured is great, and it is not always possible to wait until the next day.

Pregnant women fall between two stools

Many enquiries are not about acute complications but about the need for reassurance and professional assessment. This is where a challenge arises: the staff at 1813 rarely have an obstetric background, and the regional maternity wards can only take you in if there are signs of something serious. The result is that many pregnant women feel left in a vacuum between general care and specialised maternity care.

The psychological dimension

When worries cannot be clarified quickly, it affects not only sleep but also mental wellbeing. Anxiety during pregnancy is associated with increased stress levels, and research suggests that prolonged anxiety can affect both mother and fetus.

That is why it is important that pregnant women have access to relevant advice and professional assessment – also outside normal opening hours.

The need for better coherence in maternity care

Maternity care in Denmark generally works well, but there is a growing need for better coherence between the acute services and the ongoing, preventive care.

The system is largely designed to handle the acute – but many pregnant women's needs lie precisely in the grey zone between worry and acute problem.

At Stork Scan we meet pregnant women every day who are seeking exactly this reassurance. Many get in touch because they need certainty that everything looks normal – not necessarily because they expect something to be wrong.

Our role is to offer a professional supplement to public maternity care: an opportunity to be met with time, calm and specialised knowledge when worry takes over.

A strengthened effort for this group would relieve both 1813 and the busy maternity wards, while pregnant women would feel better supported.

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