Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jdog2050]

This is a very painful post for me. I've been on here quite a while, so I don't wanna hear any internetz jokes or accusations of trolling.

A few months ago, my girlfriend, who'd just started taking contraceptives, went to the Itaewon int'l clinic, and had a pregnancy test. The head doctor told her she wasn't pregnant, despite also knowing that the tests are innaccurate if taken too early, blew off her concerns.

We went to Yonsei today (should have gone earlier, but the obgyn was on vacation) and found out that she actually is pregnant. However, because we've been living a typical Seoul expat life, the fetus isn't viable.

This isn't the only charge I can level at that place. I've been there for my own checkups, and have been charged for useless procedures, like having an ultrasound for a sprained wrist, and being charged $30 for a neoprene support for said wrist (despite being like, what, 15, 20 in the store?).

Also, and this is just a rumor, but I hear that he isn't even a general doctor at all; his degree is actually in psychiatry.

Basically, don't go to this guy just because he's "nice" and the place is clean. It's just a front to hide the fact that he's an inept doctor who's raking in money off the simple fact that he speaks decent english and TELLS YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR.

[NightSky]

That's pretty sad.

You may not care to go into details, but what does "isn't viable" mean? Is that the language the doc used? Does it mean the baby would be born with specific, pinpointable issues? I'm wondering because Koreans, particularly Korean doctors, are very quick to advise aborting and/or giving up for adoption babies that may only have one or two minor (not life threatening) defects. But since you alluded to drinking, possibly a lot of drinking, this may not be the case.

Of course, I respect your right not to answer this.

[jdog2050]

[maeil]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Best wishes to you and your girlfriend.

[laogaiguk]

sorry

[Ginormousaurus]

[spliff]

What do you consider "a typical expat life"?

[OneWayTraffic]

Doctors do make mistakes you know. The guy is certainly a psychologist, rather than a ob gyn. You can't blame him for the fate of the fetus, though.

[Ginormousaurus]

[garykasparov]

OP, is all seriousness, why didn't she use a home pregnancy test?

[Cohiba]

I totally disagree. I think that doctor is superb. I walked in there one
day, told him I wanted valium (for stress), xanax (for sleeping) and
Tylenol 3 with Codeine (for back pain). Thirty minutes later I had a bag
of "legal" goodies that I can renew any time I want.

Most Korean doctors wouldn't dream of giving people a Codeine based
medication. And I'm talking of fractures in hospital bone wards.

HE RULES

[Kimchieluver]

So why did you need the pain killers? Let me guess, you were being your typical loser self and got beat up.

[SHANE02]

I agree with Chohiba

[dogbert]

[DCJames]

The International Clinic in Itaewon is just too expensive.

There are cheaper alternatives.