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jazblanc77
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
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 Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:13 am Post subject: Giving Birth in Korea: MAJOR Issues - HELP!! |
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After changing hospitals 3 times in Daegu and doing a lot of research on the Korean internet, my wife and I have been unable to find a hospital that is willing to do things the way we want it. Actually, it's not even a matter of want, it's a matter of what is accepted OB/Gyn best practice in most industrialised countries.
These accepted practices include:
1.) mother/baby contact immediately after birth and throughout the hospital stay whenever possible ie. the baby is awake.
2.) breast feeding immediately after birth and whenever possible
3.) private rooms with the mother and baby staying together
In Daegu, all of the places we have found so far, do the following:
1.) mother/baby checkups and intensive care for the first day with very limited contact. What of mother/baby bonding and breastfeeding?
2.) for the first 1-3 days, feeding is supplemented with water and formula, and possible baby IV. Once the mother is producing milk freely, she may breast feed (most mothers don't actually produce milk for 3 days, so this means that the baby misses all that collostrum).
3.) no private rooms for the first day or so (in most hospitals private rooms cannot be guaranteed), since there is no need for the mother and baby to be together if the nurses are taking care of each seperately.
Now, I have serious issues with the Korean practices. The procedures for the first day of care are most troubling for us. The baby and mother NEED to bond and the baby really really needs to get the nutrition and collostrum (immunity juice), that mainly comes during the first three days after birth. The medical practice is so 1950's in style and practice here. Suplementing is very frowned upon in western medical circles these days since it is known that collostrum is needed and not simply "sour milk" or "discharge" as was thought earlier in this century. In fact, even one feeding of furmula can change the flora in the babies stomach, making it resist breast feeding, and severely increase it's susceptibility to forming allergies and diabetes, this is not to mention the fact that bottles cause nipple confusion. It's no wonder Korea's infant mortality rate is twice that of Canada's. Mortality rates and 5 have been linked to breast feeding and mother/baby contact (babies need to be loved and to get the collostrom and nutritive values of breast milk to survive - even in zoos, it is recognised that babies that don't get collostrom and have contact with their mother, probably won't survive the first year - yeah, my mom is a zookeeper).
So, you can see the dilemma that we have here.
Does anyone know of an OB/GYN, preferably in DAEGU who will respect our wishes and give us free reign over mother/baby contact and breast feeding?
At this point, I am almost thinking of just packing out bags and going back to Canada where I know that our wishes will be respected (not that they wouldn't be, since Canadian doctor already do everything we want as standard practice). The only thing is that we will have to pay for the delivery ourselves since my wife will be inelligible for health care. I whince at the thought of that expense.
Last edited by jazblanc77 on Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:20 am; edited 1 time in total |
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rothkowitz
Joined: 27 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:46 am Post subject: |
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Sorry,I have to say this................
What the bloody hell are you doing it here for?? |
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hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:02 am Post subject: |
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I agree with the previous post...why korea?
First off...it's YOUR money that's paying for this...yes? You need to tell the doc what you want! Or tell him/her to stick it.
What's to stop your wife from doing what she wants once the baby is delivered? Is she in prison? If she wants to bond...bond then! What are they going to do? Kick her out of the joint?!
Private room....ante up the bucks for it then.
Hell....in some places in the world...the woman and baby are out of the hospital in a day!
As long as the delivery was easy, no complications...your wife can walk out with her child when she wants. They won't force her to stay.
Rest at home in peace and quiet without the idiot hospital folks and all the noisy and nosey other patients and visitors. |
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jazblanc77
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:04 am Post subject: |
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| rothkowitz wrote: |
Sorry,I have to say this................
What the bloody hell are you doing it here for?? |
It's a matter of my wife's ability to access public healthcare in Canada without being a citizen or a landed immigrant, of which she is neither. She can't use the medical system in Canada as a Canadian does and the result is that we would have to foot the whole bill of a c-section birth out of our own pockets (just to look a doctor in the eyes can be $150 if you don't have coverage, so imagine the cost of surgery, a 4 day hospital stint, and a home visit for mother and baby!).
AND, before I get another troll, she is getting a c-section because natural birth is just not a possiblity due to injuries she sustained in a car accident several years ago, to her legs and leg joints .
| hellofaniceguy wrote: |
You need to tell the doc what you want! Or tell him/her to stick it.
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Hence the fact that we have changed doctors so many times!
I am asking for help, not criticism or a debate. PLEASE if you can help us out, we will forever be in your debt, otherwise please start another thread to discuss the merits or demerits of our needs and wants.
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:30 am Post subject: |
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Calm down, calm down.
I gave birth in Korea and it was totally a pleasant experience.
Are you going to big hospitals or small, private clinics?
Smaller, private clinics are much more flexible than big hospitals.. perhaps you should try those?? |
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jazblanc77
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 1:41 am Post subject: |
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| tzechuk wrote: |
Calm down, calm down.
I gave birth in Korea and it was totally a pleasant experience.
Are you going to big hospitals or small, private clinics?
Smaller, private clinics are much more flexible than big hospitals.. perhaps you should try those?? |
We've tried both.
One of the smaller clinics is willing to spoon-feed pumped breast milk for the first day (they will respect our wishes about not giving formula, but we don't know, yet, what their position is on suplementing with water and IV). The same clinic won't budge on mother/baby contact since they can't guarantee private room availability, at least for that first, crucial day. A private room can be attained, but only once one is free. |
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Corporal
Joined: 25 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 2:40 am Post subject: Re: Giving Birth in Korea: MAJOR Issues - HELP!! |
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| jazblanc77 wrote: |
After changing hospitals 3 times in Daegu and doing a lot of research on the Korean internet, my wife and I have been unable to find a hospital that is willing to do things the way we want it. Actually, it's not even a matter of want, it's a matter of what is accepted OB/Gyn best practice in most industrialised countries.
These accepted practices include:
1.) mother/baby contact immediately after birth and throughout the hospital stay whenever possible ie. the baby is awake.
2.) breast feeding immediately after birth and whenever possible
3.) private rooms with the mother and baby staying together
In Daegu, all of the places we have found so far, do the following:
1.) mother/baby checkups and intensive care for the first day with very limited contact. What of mother/baby bonding and breastfeeding?
2.) for the first 1-3 days, feeding is supplemented with water and formula, and possible baby IV. Once the mother is producing milk freely, she may breast feed (most mothers don't actually produce milk for 3 days, so this means that the baby misses all that collostrum).
3.) no private rooms for the first day or so (in most hospitals private rooms cannot be guaranteed), since there is no need for the mother and baby to be together if the nurses are taking care of each seperately.
Now, I have serious issues with the Korean practices. The procedures for the first day of care are most troubling for us. The baby and mother NEED to bond and the baby really really needs to get the nutrition and collostrum (immunity juice), that mainly comes during the first three days after birth. The medical practice is so 1950's in style and practice here. Suplementing is very frowned upon in western medical circles these days since it is known that collostrum is needed and not simply "sour milk" or "discharge" as was thought earlier in this century. In fact, even one feeding of furmula can change the flora in the babies stomach, making it resist breast feeding, and severely increase it's susceptibility to forming allergies and diabetes, this is not to mention the fact that bottles cause nipple confusion. It's no wonder Korea's infant mortality rate is twice that of Canada's. Mortality rates and 5 have been linked to breast feeding and mother/baby contact (babies need to be loved and to get the collostrom and nutritive values of breast milk to survive - even in zoos, it is recognised that babies that don't get collostrom and have contact with their mother, probably won't survive the first year - yeah, my mom is a zookeeper).
So, you can see the dilemma that we have here.
Does anyone know of an OB/GYN, preferably in DAEGU who will respect our wishes and give us free reign over mother/baby contact and breast feeding?
At this point, I am almost thinking of just packing out bags and going back to Canada where I know that our wishes will be respected (not that they wouldn't be, since Canadian doctor already do everything we want as standard practice). The only thing is that we will have to pay for the delivery ourselves since my wife will be inelligible for health care. I whince at the thought of that expense. |
I'd advise you to stay here but to be willing to compromise a bit more. Not that your demands are unreasonable--some of your comments, though, leave me wondering. For instance, just being apart for the first day or first few days does not mean your wife and baby will not bond.
And while colostrum is of course a good thing, many many babies are not breastfed and turn out just fine. (Also, many mothers are able to breastfeed successfully even after the baby is initially bottlefed. It may take more persistence and determination, of course.) Talk to more doctors--do try more of the smaller clinics--and establish what is absolutely essential, but yeah. Most places aren't going to change all their established practices and procedures on a case-by-case basis. So if you aren't ready to compromise a bit, then you'll need to suck it up and pay through the nose for what you want, back in Canada. |
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Homer
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:37 am Post subject: |
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I agree with corporal.
Our experience was fine (Busan). My wife had a great birth and the after-birth care was great.
The baby slept in our room but was taken for examination about an hour after birth (which is ok with us).
My wife started breastfeeding on the first day.
I'd say look around some more or be ready to put a bit of water in your wine.....
I think packing up and moving to Canada for the birth would create more stress for your wife than anything else. I assume she is Korean and giving birth with a medical staff that speaks her language will be a big plus...no matter how good her English or your Korean is.
Family (hers) will also be nearby and that will be a bip plus after the birth (it was in our case anyway). |
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red dog
Joined: 31 Oct 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 4:03 am Post subject: |
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I'm afraid I can't help at all, but that does sound like a difficult situation ... congrats to you and your wife for doing the right thing for your baby. He or she is lucky to have such good parents.
Last edited by red dog on Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wrench
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:01 am Post subject: Re: Giving Birth in Korea: MAJOR Issues - HELP!! |
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| Corporal wrote: |
| jazblanc77 wrote: |
After changing hospitals 3 times in Daegu and doing a lot of research on the Korean internet, my wife and I have been unable to find a hospital that is willing to do things the way we want it. Actually, it's not even a matter of want, it's a matter of what is accepted OB/Gyn best practice in most industrialised countries.
These accepted practices include:
1.) mother/baby contact immediately after birth and throughout the hospital stay whenever possible ie. the baby is awake.
2.) breast feeding immediately after birth and whenever possible
3.) private rooms with the mother and baby staying together
In Daegu, all of the places we have found so far, do the following:
1.) mother/baby checkups and intensive care for the first day with very limited contact. What of mother/baby bonding and breastfeeding?
2.) for the first 1-3 days, feeding is supplemented with water and formula, and possible baby IV. Once the mother is producing milk freely, she may breast feed (most mothers don't actually produce milk for 3 days, so this means that the baby misses all that collostrum).
3.) no private rooms for the first day or so (in most hospitals private rooms cannot be guaranteed), since there is no need for the mother and baby to be together if the nurses are taking care of each seperately.
Now, I have serious issues with the Korean practices. The procedures for the first day of care are most troubling for us. The baby and mother NEED to bond and the baby really really needs to get the nutrition and collostrum (immunity juice), that mainly comes during the first three days after birth. The medical practice is so 1950's in style and practice here. Suplementing is very frowned upon in western medical circles these days since it is known that collostrum is needed and not simply "sour milk" or "discharge" as was thought earlier in this century. In fact, even one feeding of furmula can change the flora in the babies stomach, making it resist breast feeding, and severely increase it's susceptibility to forming allergies and diabetes, this is not to mention the fact that bottles cause nipple confusion. It's no wonder Korea's infant mortality rate is twice that of Canada's. Mortality rates and 5 have been linked to breast feeding and mother/baby contact (babies need to be loved and to get the collostrom and nutritive values of breast milk to survive - even in zoos, it is recognised that babies that don't get collostrom and have contact with their mother, probably won't survive the first year - yeah, my mom is a zookeeper).
So, you can see the dilemma that we have here.
Does anyone know of an OB/GYN, preferably in DAEGU who will respect our wishes and give us free reign over mother/baby contact and breast feeding?
At this point, I am almost thinking of just packing out bags and going back to Canada where I know that our wishes will be respected (not that they wouldn't be, since Canadian doctor already do everything we want as standard practice). The only thing is that we will have to pay for the delivery ourselves since my wife will be inelligible for health care. I whince at the thought of that expense. |
I'd advise you to stay here but to be willing to compromise a bit more. Not that your demands are unreasonable--some of your comments, though, leave me wondering. For instance, just being apart for the first day or first few days does not mean your wife and baby will not bond.
And while colostrum is of course a good thing, many many babies are not breastfed and turn out just fine. (Also, many mothers are able to breastfeed successfully even after the baby is initially bottlefed. It may take more persistence and determination, of course.) Talk to more doctors--do try more of the smaller clinics--and establish what is absolutely essential, but yeah. Most places aren't going to change all their established practices and procedures on a case-by-case basis. So if you aren't ready to compromise a bit, then you'll need to suck it up and pay through the nose for what you want, back in Canada. |
Sorry dood you're so full of shit its not funny. I was sepperated for 4 days at birth and I developed some serious bonding issues. I KNOW I AM LIVING PROOF. So shut the *beep* up newb the OP is right he wasn't asking for your two fucking cents. |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:03 am Post subject: |
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My advice is try to be flexible. Compromise. You are in Korea and they do things differently. IMO my wife's delievery was awesome, she managed to have a 100% natural childbirth and it was easier cause the nurses knew their stuff.
I didn't get the type of birth that I could have gotten in Canada. However, I got a private room for my wife and Korean insurance covered everything except the private room, which was about 500-600k for 3-4 days, meals included. You try getting anything that cheap in Canada.
If you absolutely can't compromise or be flexible, dig into your pockets and head to Canada. Good luck. |
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peony
Joined: 30 Mar 2005
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:20 am Post subject: |
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in the US (or at least in NY), it is not standard practice to have a private room, you usually share with one other mom and the baby is taken away to the nursery and returned to the mom for feedings
my friend just gave birth 3 weeks ago (in nyc) and her baby was first brought back to her about 5 hours after birth for the first feeding
im sure that if you look around some more, you will meet a hospital/doctor that will be willing to let your wife breastfeed for the first few days
tzechuk, were you able to breastfeed Letty right away?
best of luck and i hope you find what you need |
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Horangi Munshin
Joined: 06 Apr 2003
Location: Busan
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| I was satisified with the service my wife received when she delivered our baby. The only thing that irked me was the nurse helping to push out our baby, like cpr style, is that normal? |
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kitekid
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Location: usually at http://www.expatkorea.com/
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 9:52 pm Post subject: Re: Giving Birth in Korea: MAJOR Issues - HELP!! |
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| jazblanc77 wrote: |
Does anyone know of an OB/GYN, preferably in DAEGU who will respect our wishes and give us free reign over mother/baby contact and breast feeding?
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not sure, but i've tried to give you two good leads.
check my sig for the site that cares  |
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jazblanc77
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:26 pm Post subject: Re: Giving Birth in Korea: MAJOR Issues - HELP!! |
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| kitekid wrote: |
| jazblanc77 wrote: |
Does anyone know of an OB/GYN, preferably in DAEGU who will respect our wishes and give us free reign over mother/baby contact and breast feeding?
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not sure, but i've tried to give you two good leads.
check my sig for the site that cares |
Thanks so much for your help. The Keimyung link was especially helpful and I will call Mrs. Cho tomorrow. Also a big thanks to tzechuk, rocky racoon, and the others at the site in your sig, who sent me pms with links and suggestions on how to solve this issue.
We will keep looking. |
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