Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yangtheman]

Hi,

My wife, a 15-months-old son and I are moving to Korea in August. My wife is also 5-months pregnant. I am glad to hear that Korean hospitals are modernized and many people haven't had bad experiences giving birth in Korea. We will be living in bundang, and I was wondering if someone can suggest a good OB/GYN and/or a hospital for child-birth in bundang.

Also, if someone knows a English-speaking playgroup in around bundang, please let us know.

Thank you in advance, and this forum has been a great resource so far!

-Yang

[Corporal]

[yangtheman]

[ilse]

HI

Just found out we are having a baby. We are living in Wonju area. Has anyone got any useful info for this area? We are 1st time parents and anxious / excited about giving birth in korea... Thanks

[korea252]

hi
Only know about Seoul. Maybe you'll get a better response if you post in the general section.
Good luck and congratulations.

[pinksquirrel]

Hi, I have just found out that I am pregnant. My Fiance is Korean and I am a kiwi.( So I guess it makes life a little easier) We don't live in Seoul per say we are living in Ilsan and are wondering if anyone knows of a good "women's" hospital? Somewhere where the staff speak English, as most of the time I will have to go by myself for checks as my fiance will be working!
Also I would love any advice from anyone who has given birth in Korea, about their experiences, hints..etc. I am still feeling shocked, alittle scared and unsure about the whole idea^^
Helllllllllllllllllllllllp^^

[Nova Scotian Guy]

This is good to know as me and my wife are moveing to Korea, and although we dont want to have children until were done there its good to know this stuff incase it happens.

[Faunaki]

[wuzza]

[c-squared]

I had my second child in Korea and it wasn't a bad experience, but it wasn't great either. My first was conceived in Korea, but born in the U.S. and I'm definitely glad I went that route. Giving birth for the first time is enough to deal with, even without the cultural and language differences.

I live in a small city, but was able to find an OB/GYN who spoke English fairly well. The head nurse when I delivered also spoke some English, but for some reason thought my last name was my given name, which was just annoying. None of the other nurses spoke English, so there was some confusion at times post delivery.

If you do give birth here, I would suggest:
*writing up a birth plan and having it translated by a Korean friend, even if your doctor speaks some English.
*researching, researching, researching every test and procedure that your doctor tells you is standard.
*not hesitating to say no to anything you feel is unnecessary.

(Actually, I strongly suggest 2 & 3 no matter where you give birth.)

[Vimfuego]

The information about cost here is wildly different from this http://www.korea4expats.com/article-pregnancy-care-korea.html

ie 500,000 vs 7,000,000 for the actual birth. Can anyone who has had a child here comment on this?

We have insurance but only up to a certain limit, and 7,000,000 would be a sizable chunk of that. A recent visit just for blood and urine tests, and scan amounted to 800,000

[hafs]

[ttompatz]

[Vimfuego]

thanks for the responses. I'm not sure that we are entitled to Korean National Insurance, we're both westerners on E2 visas, however our company do provide a generous health insurance package, but as mentioned before the cost of just blood tests, a doctor's appointment and a scan was KRW800,000, this was our first visit.

[ttompatz]