Korean Job Discussion Forums

[joshuahirtle27]

I was wondering if any of the english teachers (or there Spouses) here have had babies. If so does anyone know the cost and a good gynecologist in Seoul that speaks english. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[sistersarah]

Many many expats go to Dr. Sung in Hannam-dong. I went to her before I became pregnant for regular tests. She's good because she speaks English and runs a very professional clinic. On the down side, she tends to rush you in and out the door (that's my opinion, but others have disagreed with me).

I went to my first prenatal appointment at Dr. Sung's, but quickly discovered that I wanted to change OBs because she doesn't even deliver babies (she'll refer you elsewhere after 25 weeks), she pushes a lot of unnecessary tests on you, and charges more than other OBs.

Now I'm going to Cheil General Hospital (it's a women's hospital) near Chungmuro Station and my doctor, Dr. Lee, speaks fluent English and seems quite good. My ultrasound technician at this hospital for my nuchal translucency test also spoke fluent English, so I thought that was a good sign.

I have other friends who have gone to different hospitals around Seoul and some have had great experiences, some so-so. I'm interested to hear some more feedback about the OP, because since I'm only 19 weeks along, I'm always open to checking out other hospitals.

[joshuahirtle27]

My big problem is that I know like 5 Korean words as my language exchange teacher left the country for vacation a month after we started and isn't back till the end of this month add to that I would have to go my self b/c my hubby teaches usually from 8-6 depending on the day.

Can you give me the contact info for Dr. Sung and Dr. Lee you can pm if you want I just need to find out asap so I can make arrangements to go back home and I am pretty sure I am a little far along so I need to make sure I can leave b4 I am no longer allowed to fly.

Thank you for you post.

[sistersarah]

You're probably better off going to Dr. Sung then, if you plan on seeing a doctor and then heading home.

Dr. Sung's Obstetrics and Gynecology
2 floor, Hyundai Building
Hannam-dong
Yongsan-Gu
Seoul 140-210

Telephone: 02-790-0802 ~3

If you care to check out Cheil Hospital, here's the website with a map somewhere:
http://www.cgh.co.kr/cghenglish/main.html

And regarding flying while pregnant, it is generally thought to be safe, unless you are very far along. From the Mayo Clinic page:

[simone]

There are two excellent English speaking ob/gyns at Soonchunghyang hospital in Hannam Dong.

I really personally cannot recommend Dr. Sung, from experience, but don't want to give reasons why on an online forum. PM me with a telephone number and I'll call you and tell you why.

Also, similarly unpleasant stories about the International Clinic in Itaewon.

10 years in Korea gives a good sense of good and bad out there.

-- Whenever I just needed a pap smear, I'd go to SNU Hospital International Clinic or wherever, bigger hospitals. The gynos there are almost all foreign trained.

[cralsies]

I am an expat living in the Seoul area and pregnant. I searched long and hard for information on this subject and hope someone finds this account of my experience useful:

It seems that most expats go to Dr. Sung's Clinic in Hannam-dong. While the clinic is conveniently located in the center of the city and most of the staff speak reasonable English, I DO NOT recommend going there. In my experience, you are far better off finding a qualified practitioner at a local hospital.

I first went to Dr.Sung for a routine PAP and found myself stuck in the clinic for close to 2 hours (even with a reservation!). Unbeknownst to me, I was pregnant at the time, but the staff didn't detect it. The doctor neither greeted me nor introduced herself. While she was doing the procedure, I wasn't even sure if she was the doctor or a technician.

A week later, after taking a home pregnancy test, I returned for my first ultra-sound. Again, the doctor neglected to introduce herself and simply got down to it. I, personally, found her to be very cold and much more akin to a businessperson than a doctor. Instead of answering my questions, she piled brochure after brochure into my arms. The real kicker for me is that she did not bother to disclose that she doesn't deliver babies and that i'd be on my own after week 25.

I have found a local Women and Children's Hospital near my home which charges a fraction of the cost of Dr. Sung's Clinic and has English-speaking doctors who really seem to care about their patients and will see me through the full term and delivery of the pregnancy. I recommend you do the same.

[MollyBloom]

I recommend this hospital in Gangnam:

기쁨병원

http://www.joyfullhospital.com/

I had a GI surgery here and the doctors and staff were wonderful.

I am aware, however, that they have a "lady health" section of the hospital, and it would be worth it to check it out and see if they have an OBGYN staff. They all speak English (staff and docs). It's right up the hill from Bang Bang Sagori (뱅뱅사고리) in Gangnam, and I believe there is a bus stop specifically for the hospital name.

[young_clinton]

[i_teach_esl]

http://wiki.galbijim.com/English-speaking_gynecologists

contribute!^^

[bradshaw]

I would also NOT recommend going to Dr. Sung. She was unprofessional, unnecessarily expensive, and untruthful. I had to visit a different gyno at the Seoul National University Hospital (in Hyewha) after a trip to Dr. Sung's to have all my tests redone because of the incompetence I encountered at Dr. Sung's clinic. Stay away.

[seoulsister]

http://www.yunlee.co.kr/index.htm

Absolutely recommend this place. (If you can't read Korean please ask someone to translate the parts you need ^^;. Location is between Express Bus Terminal and Kyodae Stations. The phone number is on the top of the website and both doctors speak excellent English.

[bradshaw]

FYI, I've just visited a fantastic clinic in Sinsa called Green Mall International Clinic. There is a female doctor there called Dr. Kim who sat down with me, listened to my concerns and came off as very professional and caring. The visit was cheap, the doctor did not try to order any unnecessary tests, etc. I would recommend her to my best friend. Here's the link to their clinic http://www.greenmallim.com/eng/engPage01.html
- if you follow the directions off the website, note that the international clinic is actually on the 3rd floor, not the 5th. Good luck!

[CrikeyKorea]

You can always call Seoul Medical Referral service, it is free and run by ex-pat volunteers-they are sponsored by the Seoul Gov't and know all foreigner friendly medical related info

[Illysook]

Has anyone tried the women's hospital near Seohyeon in Bundang? I thought that it would be convenient and many people in this area seem to speak English fairly well.

[fugitive chicken]

I had a baby last month at Seoul Women's hospital in Bucheon, very professional. Only one doctor was confident enough in his English to take me, but it was a good hospital and was very decently priced most prenatal visits cost me between 20k and 70k