Are you an expat and pregnant in Norway?
Fastlege – helsestasjon – ob-gyn – are you confused?
I still remember the moment I held my very first positive pregnancy test in my trembling hands. That overwhelming mix of pure joy and total disbelief. It felt surreal. And, like so many others, my next thought was: Okay, what now?
So, I did what seemed natural—I called my fastlege and made an appointment. Because that’s what you do, right? That’s what I thought, at least.
At that point, I had been living in Norway for 2.5 years. I’m from Germany, which isn’t that different from Norway… or so I assumed. But oh, how wrong I was.
I walked into my doctor’s office, still floating in that new pregnancy bubble, expecting warmth, guidance—maybe even a “congratulations!” Instead, I got a two-minute appointment and a single, dismissive comment:
“I don’t think I’ve ever had someone come in THAT early.”
She didn’t even look at me.
I left the office in tears, feeling silly, embarrassed – like I had somehow done something wrong. I was newly pregnant, full of emotions, and suddenly very aware that I had no idea how things were done in Norway.
If you’re feeling lost, too – you’re not alone.
So, if you’re pregnant in Norway, here’s what you need to know – a proper overview of how pregnancy and maternity care are organized here.
(A quick note: Everything I explain here applies to straightforward, uncomplicated pregnancies.)
First, take a deep breath. You’re in good hands!
Norway is one of the safest places in the world – not just in general, but especially when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth. Yes, the system here might be different from what you’re used to. There may be fewer check-ups than in other countries, and at times, it might feel like you’re left to figure things out on your own. But here’s something reassuring:
Despite having fewer routine appointments, Norway has one of the lowest stillbirth rates in the world. Their system works.
So while it might not look exactly like what you expected, know that the care you receive here is rooted in trust, research, and decades of experience keeping both moms and babies safe.
Public and private health care when you are pregnant in Norway
Norway’s public healthcare system covers everything you need for a safe and healthy pregnancy, and the standard of care is generally high. Of course, no system is perfect, and you’ll always hear stories of bad experiences—but overall, you can expect to be well taken care of.
What’s Covered?
In general, doctor visits and medications require a small out-of-pocket fee (called egenandel – “your own part”), which is capped at 3,278 NOK per year. This means that no matter how often you need medical care, you’ll never pay more than that in a year.
And here’s the good news:
Once you’re pregnant, you don’t pay anything at all. Medical care – whether pregnancy-related or not – is 100% covered.
What About Private Healthcare?
Norway also has private healthcare options for those who prefer to skip the wait times in the public system. Some employers even have deals with private clinics, so it’s worth checking if this applies to you or your spouse.
You’ll find specialists who offer private appointments, but it’s important to know that the same doctors and clinics often serve both public and private patients. The biggest difference? If you go private, you might get an appointment faster – but the quality of care is the same.
And if you ever need urgent medical attention, public healthcare will prioritize you and get you the help you need, quickly and efficiently.
The Bottom Line?
You do not need to go private to get proper maternity care. The public system has you covered – from your first check-up to birth and beyond.
Your “fastlege” – General Practitioner
What is a Fastlege?
A fastlege is your general physician (GP) – the doctor you choose and stick with for most of your medical needs in Norway. If you’ve moved here, you were likely assigned one, but you can switch up to twice a year, no questions asked.
Why Does This Matter?
The entire Norwegian healthcare system is built around your fastlege. No matter what’s going on—whether it’s a cough, vision problems, emotional health concerns, or pregnancy – your fastlege is always your first point of contact.
This is key to understanding how healthcare works here. Once you get this, everything else makes a lot more sense.
What If I Need a Specialist?
Your fastlege is the one who determines whether you need a specialist and will refer you if necessary.
- Child sick? You might think of calling a pediatrician. Nope – call your fastlege.
- Pregnant? You might assume you should see an OB-GYN. Again, nope – start with your fastlege.
They will guide you through the process, including choosing your hospital and securing your spot for delivery.
Finding the Right Fastlege
Because your fastlege plays such a huge role in your care, it’s important to find someone you trust and feel comfortable with. Don’t hesitate to switch if it doesn’t feel right.
(Needless to say, I don’t have the same fastlege who made me cry during my first pregnancy. But I found one I love so much that I’ve kept her—even after moving 30 minutes outside of Oslo!)
Your “helsestasjon” – Health Center
What is a Helsestasjon?
A helsestasjon (health center) is your go-to place for everything related to your baby’s and child’s development – starting from pregnancy. You’ll be assigned one based on where you live, and this will be where all routine check-ups and developmental follow-ups happen as your child grows.
Pregnancy & Check-Ups: Fastlege or Helsestasjon?
One of the first choices you’ll make is where to have your pregnancy check-ups – either with your fastlege or at the helsestasjon.
- Some appointments, like early blood tests or sick leave requests, must be done with your fastlege.
- Everything else? You can mix and match.
Many people choose the helsestasjon because midwives work there, and in my experience, they tend to have more time, understanding, and specialized expertise than a fastlege when it comes to pregnancy.
What Happens After Birth?
Once your baby is born and you’re back home, your helsestasjon will be the first to contact you for all baby-related check-ups.
But – and this is important – the helsestasjon is not a place for sick children. It’s strictly for tracking physical, motor, and mental development. If your child is sick, call your fastlege (or legevakt if it’s urgent).
The Norwegian system may be different from what you’re used to, but it’s designed to ensure you and your baby get the best care – without unnecessary stress.
Your OB-GYN
Wait… No OB-GYN?
If you, like me, grew up thinking that pregnancy = regular OB-GYN visits, then Norway’s approach might come as a shock.
Here, you don’t actually need to see an OB-GYN at all during pregnancy – or ever, really – unless your fastlege thinks it’s necessary.
That’s right. OB-GYNs don’t play a routine role in Norwegian maternity care.
I know! It took me a while to wrap my head around it too. But somehow, it works.
Let’s Summarize
When you’re pregnant in Norway, it all comes down to understanding three key things:
- Public healthcare in Norway – what’s covered and how it works
- The role of your fastlege (general practitioner) – your go-to for almost everything
- The role of your helsestasjon (health center) – your main support system during and after pregnancy
Once you get how these fit together, navigating pregnancy in Norway suddenly feels a lot less overwhelming.
Want to dive deeper into the specific pregnancy check-ups? You’ll find all the details at Helse Norge.