Eija Pessinen's story
Creative Problem Solver
Eija Pessinen was awarded the EUWIIN first prize as European woman inventor of the year in 2009. Her invention, the Relaxbirth, represents a significant advance in the field of childbirth and has received international acclaim. The method makes the process of giving birth easier and more relaxed, and our company wants to put it within everyone’s reach.
”By nature, I like to develop ideas and put those ideas into practice”, says Eija Pessinen.
“I have often found myself in situations in life and at work where I have asked myself if something could be done differently – or more easily.”
Why was Relaxbirth Invented?
Eija’s answer is simple: “Because it was possible and it didn’t already exist. I was really so surprised that nobody had come up with this solution earlier!”
Relaxbirth was designed ergonomically to meet the needs of women’s bodies during childbirth. Previously designed birthing apparatus did not address all aspects of childbirth, such as doctors’ and midwives’ working conditions. We would like to ensure that everyone involved in the childbirth process can benefit from Relaxbirth–including the unborn child. “I had a vision of how women could push efficiently in a relaxed and ergonomic way while giving birth.”
Where it all started
Specialist nurse (SRN) and midwife Eija Pessinen has spent many years working in Finland, Germany and Switzerland.
She was employed in development work in one of the poorest countries in Central America, Nicaragua. War and a trade boycott led to general shortages, including of medicines, disinfectants and instruments. She took part in a comprehensive countrywide vaccination campaign in mountain villages and the jungle.
The Lessons of Matagalpa
As part of her work as a midwife and healthcare worker in the city of Matagalpa, she also started to advise and train local midwives. ”While teaching them, I started to realise how much I was actually learning from them,” Eija says. “It was truly wonderful to see how these midwives dealt with the process of delivery, even though they had no formal medical training. Despite the challenging circumstances, they were able to successfully carry out natural deliveries.”
Invention: The Fruit of Diversity
“My sports hobby taught me how to use the body’s natural forces in an optimal way.” Eija also managed to complete two business degrees alongside her everyday work. “My language skills gradually led me into more business-related tasks.”
“The years of studies alongside my regular work gave me enough self-confidence in my abilities to further invention,” Eija explains. She continued to work while developing her invention and the first prototypes.
Eija then returned to her work as a midwife and made various further observations:
”The strength of the woman in labour decreased when she was pushing in an ineffective way. I also observed midwives working in challenging postures, sometimes on floor level. I finally decided to do something after hearing that some midwives had been on sick leave for months because of back, shoulder or limb pains. I thought that there must be a better solution than the existing childbirth method. I am still on that same path today.”
She had reached the point where she knew everything she needed to put her invention together.
New Perspectives
Today, Relaxbirth Ltd. is a company strongly committed to internationalisation and Eija is one of its key figures. The experience and training she gained in business are now really coming to the fore. Relaxbirth is going places.
”Relaxbirth is lucky enough to have attracted some incredibly top quality people, as supporters, partners and associates; many of them have become shareholders and employees.” Eija proudly declares, “We now have at our disposal a broad and talented network of people to launch Relaxbirth onto the world stage!”