Akureyri Hospital
Obstetrics
The maternity ward provides prenatal monitoring, birth assistance and postnatal care as well as examinations of women's reproductive organs, such as problems in early pregnancy or for diseases of the vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Enter through entrance B. The maternity ward is on the 3rd floor.
Phone number
+354 463 0129
OB services
Requests for telephone interviews and appointments with a gynaecologist or other specialists at the ward on all working days between 10 and 12 by phone +354 463 0133.
Appointments for early sonar (8 weeks) by phone +354 463 0133 on weekdays between 10 and 12.
Appointments for prenatal screening (11+5 - 13+6 weeks) and 20-week ultrasound (19+5 - 21+3 weeks), by phone +354 463 0129, on weekdays between 10 and 12.
Visits are generally not allowed except in exceptional cases.
Pregnancy
Maternity care is generally provided by midwives who refer pregnant women to doctors if further observation or supervision is needed. These can include:
high blood pressure
diabetes during pregnancy
suspected delayed fetal growth
monitoring of twin pregnancies
Physicians monitor problems in early pregnancy, for example, suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy or impending miscarriage.
After birth
After birth, the parent is offered the option of staying in a post-natal ward. If there is room in the ward, the spouse/other parent is invited to stay one night for a small fee. When the postpartum period is over, parents have access to information and guidance concerning the care of the newborn, f.ex. breastfeeding.
Many families welcome home care provided by midwives. For home care, pregnancy and birth should have been without problems. The mother should return home within 36-48 hours of birth. In some cases, it is also possible to offer midwifery services or postpartum care at a hospital in the local community.
For further information on pregnancy, birth and maternity care see Heilsuvera (in Icelandic).
Termination of pregnancy (Abortion) is available at the Akureyri hospital. The Termination of Pregnancy Act authorizes the termination of pregnancies under 22 weeks.
It is important that pregnancy is confirmed with a pregnancy test.
If you are considering a termination of pregnancy, you can contact the secretary of the Department of Obstetrics at +354 463-0133, between 10 and 12. Then you will be contacted for more information and a time booked for inspection.
Two types of treatment are available:
Treatment with drugs
If the pregnancy is shorter than 9 weeks: Treatment can begin immediately if the pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound. A medicine is given to stop the effect of pregnancy hormone.
Two days later, four tablets are inserted into the vagina in the morning, bleeding can start in 1 to 3 hours after tables have been inserted.
It is important to have someone with you during this process.
If bleeding does not start after 3 hours you should contact the maternity department of SAk.
It is necessary to take a pregnancy test after 4 to 5 weeks to assess whether the treatment has been successful.
The midwife will also contact you during this time to check how the process has gone and how you are feeling.
Surgery is available from the 9th to the 12th week
Once the pregnancy has been confirmed by ultrasound with a doctor, you can book an appointment for surgery.
The operation is performed under short anesthesia. When the woman has recovered, she goes home the same day.
It is good to have someone with you during the process, as the person is not allowed to drive after anesthesia.
After 12 weeks, termination of pregnancy is induced by both drugs and surgery and is much more invasive.
Termination of pregnancy should always be performed as soon as possible and preferably before the 12th week.
An interview with a social worker is available to anyone who wishes at any time during the process.