https://www.sunnitusmaja.ee/en/

Women's Clinic at East-Tallinn Central Hospital, Ravi Street 18, Tallinn (2025)

01/03/2023

Gynaecologist Dr Erlang: Early-stage cervical cancer has zero specific symptoms
In 2023, women born in 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988 and 1993 are eligible for free of charge cervical cancer screening. Call the Women's Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital reception on 666 1900 to book an appointment.

Cervical cancer has zero specific symptoms in its early stages, which in turn makes women more susceptible to the disease. The tumour is most likely quite advanced when the first symptoms appear.

“Women arrive at the clinic with symptoms such as bleeding and pain, who are then subsequently diagnosed with cervical cancer; their treatment is often extremely long and complicated,” says Dr Külli Erlang, gynaecologist at the Women's Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital. “This disease isn’t really curable if women come to the clinic at a late stage.

However, cervical cancer and pre-cancerous conditions detected at an early stage can be successfully treated and then women will recover from this disease much more quickly and comfortably.

The Health Insurance Fund has a free of charge cervical cancer screening programme, through which insured and non-insured people receive answers about this disease. As it’s free of charge, everyone should take part in this programme.”

Estonia has one of the highest cervical cancer morbidity and mortality rates in Europe

According to statistics from the Health Insurance Fund, an average of 150 women receive their primary cervical cancer diagnosis every year, with approximately 60 women dying due to the disease. These are the highest parameters in Europe.

“That is why it’s even more important for every Estonian woman and mother to take care of their health and get tested for this complex disease,” encourages Dr Erlang. “Ask your loved ones, friends and co-workers whether they have been screened and provide them with encouragement if they haven’t!”

You can register for cervical cancer screening at the Women's Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital (18 Ravi Street) and at the Tõnismäe Women's Counselling Offices (6 Hariduse Street). Book an appointment for yourself at the reception by calling 666 1900 or via the digital registry at ipatsient.ee.

In 2023, women born in 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988 and 1993 are eligible for free of charge cervical cancer screening.

Cervical cancer testing is quick and painless

The gynaecologist explains that the cervical cancer screening procedure is quick and painless. “During the screening process, an analysis is taken from the cervix by using a small brush in order to determine the existence of HPV,” says Dr Erlang. “Women who have HPV will remain under observation; if primary changes are found on the cervix during a follow-up, these are treatable.”

Free cervical cancer screenings have been conducted since 2006 in Estonia in order to help women detect cervical cancer at an early stage. Beginning at the age of 30, women are invited for a screening every five years. You don’t have to wait for a personal invitation; you can register yourself by calling the reception at the Woman’s Clinic or also at a gynaecologist’s appointment.

The cervix of women under the age of 30 is monitored as well: in the case of young women, cells are taken from the cervix of women aged 25 and 28 (by gynecocytological test, PAP test or LBC test).

You can get vaccinated against the HPV virus that causes cancer

Additionally, getting vaccinated can prevent cervical cancer.

“The HPV vaccine against cervical cancer has been used for more than 10 years and is extremely effective, preventing over 85% of cervical cancer cases,” says Dr Erlang. “The HPV vaccine is safe and has minimal side effects. Girls between the ages of 13 and 14 get vaccinated free of charge at school because it’s most effective to get vaccinated prior to being sexually active. However, it’s also possible to get vaccinated later in order to protect yourself against cancer.”

***

What is the cause of cervical cancer?

Dr Külli Erlang, Gynaecologist at the Women’s Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital answers:

Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, also known as the human papillomavirus. It has more than 200 subtypes, 14 of which are high-risk types. If the virus remains in a woman’s body, it’s more likely to cause cell changes in the cervix, also known as cervical dysplasia. These are particular indicators than can be used to say whether cervical cancer will develop from that point.

Approximately two-thirds of adults are exposed to HPV during the course of their life. The virus spreads via skin-to-skin contact. Most people recover from the HPV virus, but approximately 10% of people will develop a persistent infection, which in turn makes them more susceptible to the subsequent potential scenarios. Sadly, suffering from HPV doesn’t create immunity, and a person can be infected repeatedly. Frequent exposure and the development of persistent HPV infection can in turn be a greater risk factor for cervical cancer.

Visit https://www.itk.ee/patsiendile/kliinikud/naistekliinik/emakakaelavahi-soeluuring for more information and to register for screening.

15/02/2023

Head of Midwifery: cervical cancer can be prevented

👉This year, 70,000 women are invited to participate in cervical cancer screening procedures. Estonia has one of the highest cervical cancer morbidity and mortality rates in Europe. Approximately 150 women in Estonia receive a cervical cancer primary diagnosis and around 60 women die due to the disease, but only about half of the women invited attend the cervical cancer screening procedure.

👉ITK Maternity Counselling Centre Head of Midwifery Silja Staalfeldt-Rahumägi states that awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention has not really improved since 2006 because the screening procedure percentage has not increased during these years. “Awareness is only one aspect; the other is scepticism, namely the belief that it won’t happen to me,” says Staalfeldt-Rahumägi. “When compared to Finland, taking care of one’s health is considerably lower. In Estonia, less than 50% of women invited to screening procedures actually attend, while in Finland that percentage is close to 80% in their better years. Therefore, cervical cancer morbidity and mortality in Estonia is nearly twice as high as the European average.”
99.7% of cervical cancer cases are caused by the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. It is believed that HPV has over 200 subtypes, 14 of which are classified as high risk. The disease causes persistent infection in approximately 1 in 10 people infected with high-risk HPV; over a period of years, this can lead to cell changes in the cervix, also known as cervical dysplasia. If this remains undetected and untreated, the cell changes can develop into cancer.
👉“Overall, we can say that approximately two-thirds of adults will be infected with some type of HPV in their lifetime, but the majority of them (90%) will be cured naturally within six months to two years,” confirms Silja Staalfeldt-Rahumägi. “In approximately 10% of cases, the body unfortunately cannot cope with the disease and cell changes begin to occur in the cervix. During the screening procedure, we’ll pinpoint the women who are infected with a high-risk subtype of HPV and who should continue to be monitored. We will then intervene if pre-cancerous cell changes occur and develop. Surgery can remove the changed cells, which in turn prevents them from developing into cancer. That’s why we can say that cervical cancer can be prevented in most cases.”
👉Symptomless
Cervical cancer has zero specific early symptoms. If the patient turns to us exhibiting symptoms, it’s usually a case of an advanced cancer. We would be able to prevent a high percentage of cervical cancer cases if all women participated in the regular screening procedure. As the screening procedure percentage is low, women usually see a doctor when it’s too late and they receive their diagnosis after the symptoms and problems have already developed. Cervical cancer development takes 10-15 years, but it can and should be prevented.
👉Fast screening procedure
The waiting time for the screening procedure is usually short; it shouldn’t take more than a couple of weeks. “The procedure is pretty straightforward, quick and painless,” says the Head of Midwifery and adds that cervical cancer is essentially the only cancer type that a person can get vaccinated against. Getting vaccinated against HPV provides approximately 85% protection against cancer.

👉We are all responsible for the prevention of cervical cancer
We could prevent most, if not all, cases of cervical cancer with HPV vaccination and regular screening procedures. We, as healthcare professionals, have an important role to inform patients and advocate screening procedures. Think about yourself and your loved ones. All women with cervical cancer are mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, friends or colleagues.
👉In 2023, we welcome women with the following birth years for the cervical cancer screening procedure: 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993.
👉The screening procedure is FREE OF CHARGE for women with or without health insurance!
👉Book an appointment by calling 666 1900 or register via the digital registry at ipatsient.ee.
👉The screening is performed at the Women’s Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital at Ravi 18 and at the Women’s Outpatient Clinic of the Tõnismäe unit at Hariduse 6.

02/01/2023

Six little Christmas miracles – four boys and two girls – were born on Christmas Eve, 24 December, at East Tallinn Central Hospital’s (ITK) Maternity Hospital—the largest maternity hospital in Estonia.
Three children – two girls and a boy – were born on 25 December.
Six babies – three girls and three boys – were born at ITK on 26 December.
“The Christmas period was relatively calm,” says Külli Erlang, department head at ITK Women’s Clinic. “The babies and their mummies were healthy and strong.”
Twenty-four Christmas babies were born last year at ITK Maternity Hospital in the space of three days.
We wish joy and happiness to all the Christmas babies and their families and a merry time growing up together!

23/11/2022

East Tallinn Central Hospital surprises mothers of premature babies

The purpose of the World Prematurity Day on 17 November is to bring attention to families with premature babies and their concerns, support networks and their ability to cope in everyday life. The neonatology department of the Women’s Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital organised a special day for the mothers of premature babies and invited politicians to a round table discussion to raise awareness of problems and find solutions.

Approximately 13,000 babies are born in Estonia each year. Every third baby is born in the maternity ward of the East Tallinn Central Hospital Women’s Clinic. Around 350 premature babies are born in East Tallinn Central Hospital every year, who then must spend their first days, weeks and even months in the hospital. East Tallinn Central Hospital has a department for premature babies from Northern Estonia, Ida-Viru County, Pärnu County, Järva County, Western Estonia and the islands.

The survival rate of babies born prematurely here is comparable to that in the Nordic countries. “Our goal is not only survival but also quality of life. If twenty years ago 70% of premature babies still left the hospital with varying diseases, developmental disorders or disabilities, this percentage has now dropped to 30. These results come from great teamwork and long-term experience,” says Dr Pille Andresson, who has worked as the Head of the East Tallinn Central Hospital neonatology department for 25 years. “Premature babies must get the best treatment so that they can live high-quality lives. Their futures depend on our work. That is why neonatology is such an important medical field.”

The seventeenth of November was a special day dedicated to mothers with premature babies staying at the hospital. The morning was full of snacks, music, little gifts, make-up, hair-dos and picture-taking. At noon, guitar virtuoso Paul Neitsov performed in the Women’s Clinic. He gave an hour-long concert to both patients and passers-by.

At 15:00, a round table discussion took place at the Family School, where politicians and specialists talked about demographic trends and the quality of treatment and opportunities for premature children in order to highlight problems and find solutions. “One area in which we are lacking is material aid and support persons; the other is moral support or psychological help. This is a huge burden for society to bear. We are trying to highlight these problems,” says Dr Andresson.

In honour of World Prematurity Day, the maternity ward of East Tallinn Central Hospital once again turned lilac for the day, as it is the characteristic colour of premature babies, marking the beginning of a new life and symbolising optimism.

18/10/2022

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of our patients and hospital staff, please abide by the following guidelines updated by the Women’s Clinic and the amendments made to these guidelines.
You can bring one adult support person with you to your pregnancy and breastfeeding counselling appointments.
During the first trimester ultrasounds and foetal anatomy scans, you may be accompanied by one support person. Do not bring children along for examinations.
When arriving for the doctor’s or midwife’s appointment, we ask you to disinfect your hands and will provide you with a disposable protective mask to be worn at all times during your stay in the appointment room.
Family School lectures take place in the Family School rooms at the Ravi Street and Järve units. When booking, please note the venue of the lecture and how it will be held. You are allowed to come to the lecture with one accompanying person.
Support persons (family members) present during childbirth will be subject to a free rapid COVID-19 antigen test. If they test positive, support persons must leave the hospital, self-isolate and contact their GP.
Women in labour will be subject to a rapid SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Women in labour have to wear a mask until the test result is revealed. If she tests positive, the support person can (if they have a negative rapid test result) stay to support the woman until the end of the delivery. When the woman in labour is transferred to the postnatal ward, the support person must leave the hospital.
A woman in labour is not required to wear a mask in the hospital room if she tests negative.
One support person or, alternatively, one birth assistant is allowed to attend the birth.
All fathers are allowed in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Having a free rapid COVID-19 antigen test done at the reception of the Women’s Clinic is mandatory.
Read more at https://www.sunnitusmaja.ee/covid-19-info/

18/10/2022

Estonia’s first neonatology unit with a new concept, i.e. the family intensive care unit for premature newborns, turned 5 years old today. 💐🐣
The new concept means that the family members of a premature baby are actively involved in the treatment process from birth. Opportunities have been created for families to be together from day one in the life of a newborn. It is essential that parents are present in the intensive care unit 24 hours a day for as long as the premature baby needs to be in hospital. The support of fathers for their wives, the staff and the child or children is also invaluable. This family-centric approach was brought to the Women’s Clinic of the East Tallinn Central Hospital by Head of the Department of Neonatology Dr Pille Andresson, Consultant Gynaecologist Dr Lee Tammemäe, Head Midwife Vivian Arusaar and several other good colleagues from the Women’s Clinic, following the example of Scandinavian family-centric hospitals. “You are the ones who have sown the seeds in the hearts of the Women’s Clinic family that family focus is important,” said Midwifery Consultant at the Neonatology Department R**t Vinkel. “As the fifth year is the year of wood, I am gifting you and all pediatricians a fir tree grown by myself.”
Good luck to you all in caring for the tiny preemies!🥰
📷East Tallinn Central Hospital

18/10/2022

Two stripes appear on the pregnancy test you took in the morning. Congratulations, you’re pregnant!
In the first few weeks you may feel some tiredness, breast soreness and changes in your appetite and sense of smell. However, there’s no need to worry even if you’re feeling well as usual. When your pregnancy test is positive, you should make an appointment to see a midwife by phone on
☎️666 1900 or on the iPatsient portal at https://ipatsient.itk.ee/.
👉See: https://www.sunnitusmaja.ee/rasedus/emadusnouandla/rasedusega-arvele-votmine-keskhaigla-sunnitusmajas/

23/09/2022

The motherhood advisory service offered at the maternity centre at East Tallinn Central Hospital is open to all women wishing to monitor their pregnancies. With and without medical insurance can attend appointments with a midwife free of charge and without the need for a referral.
The doctors and midwives at our Women’s Clinic will be happy to advise you throughout your pregnancy.
Follow these steps:
Book a time for your initial appointment with a midwife.
Do this on the Women’s Clinic website (www.digilugu.ee) or in the iPatsient portal (iPatsient.itk.ee).
Alternatively, call 666 1900 between 7:15 and 18:00 Monday-Friday.
Come in for your appointment. We look forward to seeing you!
For more information see:https://www.sunnitusmaja.ee/rasedus/
Pexels

23/09/2022

The maternity centre at East Tallinn Central Hospital is the oldest in Estonia and brings one in every four babies born in the country into the world. Many of those who come to us choose to do so because their mothers and grandmothers came here before them. More and more of our patients are the third successive generation our hospital has helped.
Our establishment proudly bears the title of Baby-Friendly Hospital, which was first awarded to us by UNICEF in 2008, and which was confirmed once again in a review in 2019.
The principles of any baby-friendly hospital are simple and put people first: our staff care for, and care about, their patients, ensuring that mother and baby are never far apart, promoting breast-feeding and teaching new mothers how to do so.
Since summer 2016 our Women’s Clinic has been an accredited training base for obstetricians and gynaecologists as certified by the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
We also offer prenatal and postpartum counselling to women in need of psychological support.
For more information see: https://www.sunnitusmaja.ee/sunnitus/

23/09/2022

Our fertility treatment clinic is here to help infertile couples. In vitro fertilisation or IVF is the most common form of infertility treatment in the world. In Estonia, it is to thank for the births of 3-5% of all babies.
Our years of experience, our broad-ranging knowledge and our unrivalled skills enable us to make use of the very latest fertility treatment methods.
If you have been trying to fall pregnant for at least a year but have had no luck, you are welcome to attend a gynaecologist’s appointment at our clinic,
for which no referral is needed.
Be sure to come in for your appointment with your partner.
How to make an appointment:
Call 666 1900 between 7:15 and 18:00 Monday-Friday OR
Register in the iPatsient portal OR
Book a time in person at East Tallinn Central Hospital
For more information see: https://www.itk.ee/.../naistekliinik/viljatusravikeskus
Pexels

23/09/2022

In September we are marking International Nurses Day and celebrating the hard work and dedication of our staff who take care of premature babies –
who in our maternity centre are referred to as children’s nurses. They are responsible for the care of all newborn babies: those who are premature, those who come through difficult births and those who are lucky enough to be born happy and healthy on the due date. A total of 43 such nurses staff our Neonatal Department.
We thank them all from the bottom of our hearts for everything they do. Their wealth of knowledge and experience and the degree of care they show in their work help the hospital’s youngest patients grow strong and healthy, enabling them to go home with their families as soon as possible.
Pictured: Neonatal nurses and midwives

02/09/2022

New CTG machine for maternity department

Thanks to the support of the Maternity Hospitals Fund, our maternity department now has a fully equipped CTG machine Edan F9 Express which is essential for daily work. Medivar OÜ helped acquire the machine.

"The cardiotocography or CTG machine, is used to monitor fetal heart tones and uterine contractions every two hours throughout the delivery process," said Grethel Tarmas, Head of Midwifery at the Maternity Department of the Women's Clinic. adding that "The new CTG model comes complete with wireless sensors so as not to hinder women's movement."

(pictured) Midwives Kadri, Grethel, Mai and Jane.

26/07/2022

Join East Tallinn Central Hospital’s Women's Clinic on its breastfeeding picnic
In the first week of August, the Women’s Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital as well as the rest of the world will celebrate World Breastfeeding Week.
For this purpose, the Women’s Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital is organising a picnic on 2 August from 12:00-14:00 in the green area behind the Ravi 18 building block. All breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women are welcome to join us to learn more about breastfeeding. The event is free of charge and attendees will be provided with healthy drinks and snacks. You can expect fun activities to parttake in.
According to Agnes Selin, Head of Breastfeeding Counselling at the Women’s Clinic, breast milk is the best food for human babies and strengthens their immune system: “Breast milk is indispensable and helps children grow and gain strength. Nursing also strengthens women’s health, helping to reduce the risk of mammary gland tumours and diabetes and cutting the risk of heart and circulatory diseases.”
As a baby-friendly hospital, East Tallinn Central Hospital values and supports breastfeeding and is committed to supporting all mothers in their journey to successfully starting and continuing breastfeeding. Breastfeeding usually goes smoothly from the very first days, but sometimes mothers can benefit from a little instruction and practice. East Tallinn Central Hospital’s midwives have been awarded Midwife of the Year titles on several occasions. New mothers can turn to East Tallinn Central Hospital’s Breastfeeding Counselling Office or take part in Family School classes on the subject.

18/07/2022

Renovated Centre of Emergency Medicine now open.
The remodelled Centre of Emergency Medicine at East Tallinn Central Hospital was opened today, on 14 July. The Centre of Radiology, which plays an important role in providing fast and comfortable services to patients coming to the hospital with traumatic injuries, was also renovated.
Emergency care is provided at Ravi 18, block C from the age of 15 for acute illnesses, injuries and other life-threatening conditions and from infancy for acute eye diseases. We ask all patients and their loved ones visiting the centre to abide by the changes to traffic management, including information on parking. Feel free to ask the hospital staff for clarifications.
The cost of renovating the Centre of Emergency Medicine and Centre of Radiology at ETCH was nearly 6.5 million euros, with an additional 3 million euros spent on new medical equipment. The renewed area is 3000 m2. Hospital employees will have larger and more spacious rooms to work in, allowing for more convenient and faster service for patients, faster diagnostics and shorter waiting times. The Centre of Emergency Medicine of East Tallinn Central Hospital is the most modern emergency care centre in Estonia.
You can find more information on emergency care on the website of the Centre of Emergency Medicine

12/07/2022

The Centre of Emergency Medicine of East Tallinn Central Hospital at Ravi 18 will be closed on 14 July from 8:00-20:00 due to relocation. Patients with emergency eye problems will be treated at the Eye Clinic of East Tallinn Central Hospital. Other patients in need of emergency care are asked to turn to the emergency care centres of West Tallinn Central Hospital or the North Estonia Medical Centre.
Read More:https://www.itk.ee/en/news/east-tallinn-central-hospitals-centre-emergency-medicine-ravi-18-closed-14-july-due-relocation

01/07/2022

🍓Family School classes for July and August are open:
🍒Tour in the delivery department - e-lesson
🍒Delivery and partnership in labour - Ravi street
🍒Breastfeeding - Ravi street
🍒Newborn care - Ravi street

You are welcome!

08/06/2022

Family School classes for June are open
We hope to see many attendees at our popular classes. Family School online classes will take place in the online environment Webex.
Classes take place in Estonian, Russian and English. The topics and dates and times of the Family School classes can be viewed on the Family School calendar: https://www.sunnitusmaja.ee/perekool/

08/06/2022

🎀Our Women’s Clinic includes a cervical cancer screening office located in Tõnismäe Outpatient Clinic at Hariduse 6 in Tallinn.
🎀Do you know the important information on cervical cancer:
🎀Cervical cancer is the most common female ge***al malignant tumour in the world.
The morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer in Estonia is one of the highest in Europe – around 150 women develop cervical cancer in Estonia every year.
🎀Cervical cancer is preventable.
🎀Cervical cancer is preventable with the HPV vaccine and regular screening
🎀Risk factors for cervical cancer include smoking, excess weight, weakened immune system.
Come for a screening to prevent cervical cancer!
Women, let’s take care of our health and get checked regularly.
☎️You can make an appointment by calling 666 1900 or through the digital registration system ipatsient.ee.
✅You can get an appointment for screening quickly. If you work or live in the city centre, you can get there quickly on foot and the screening itself is 20 minutes.
🎀In 2022, women born in the years 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987 and 1992 are invited for cervical cancer screening.

Women's Clinic at East-Tallinn Central Hospital

01/03/2023

15/02/2023

02/01/2023

23/11/2022

18/10/2022

18/10/2022

18/10/2022

23/09/2022

23/09/2022

23/09/2022

23/09/2022

02/09/2022

26/07/2022

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12/07/2022

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08/06/2022

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