Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ody]

Hi all,

I'm scheduled for a c-section Thursday and will check into the hospital tomorrow. Of course I�m eager for this all to be done but I find I am getting rather nervous about having major surgery in Korea.

Have any of you ladies or gentlemen who are familiar with this procedure (Korean style) any advice to offer?

Aside from being gun (rather knife) shy, my other issue is the Korean Hospital Culture's attitude toward nursing. I know that even stateside (NYC in fact) it's not easy to get lactate support. For example, they shouldn't give a nursing babe formula, only water.

Any words of wisdom/know-how will be appreciated.

~ody

[peppermint]

Don't have any advice, but congrats all the same!

[hellofaniceguy]

Why not a natural child birth? Why let the Doc cut you open? It in common, very common in korea to have C-section births. In fact, korea leads the world in it. What, last month, the newspapers and TV stations did articles about the abuse of C births by korean doctors. They want to do C births because of the MONEY! Natural births? Not much money in it for them. The doctors complain that "too many complications with natural deliveries." Wrong answer. It's about money. They claim that too many deaths have happened over the years due to natural births and the doctors were getting sued. I say, if you're a doctor and a professional, you should have no problems than! My wife TOLD the doctor she wanted a natural delivery. Doc says, no. We changed doctors. No problem.
It comes down to how you feel about the doctor and if you are comfortable. If he has had many deliveries, then experience counts. A young doctor? Still green.

[Ody]

[fidel]

My wife had a C section late last year and here are a few tips and facts about Korean hospitals to share.

I don't want to scare you but after seeing what my wife went through and the other mothers in the hospital (Miz Medi), but after the operation you will be in SEVERE pain and WILL NOT be able to breastfeed for at least a day or so. In fact you won't be able to do anything but pump narcotics into your viens for blessed relief. Your baby will be bagged, tagged and secured behin two feet of glass and your husband WILL NOT be able to touch him/her, until you are both discharged from the hospital.
The nurses do JACK so you have better have some family support to help you.

She was able to breastfeed and they phoned her when it was feeding time. However she had to slowly ever so slowly inch her way up the fiendishly long hall to do so.

I suppose you have already chosen what type of recovery room you are willing to pay for. You get the single, double, triple and so on, the single being the most expensive. I would recommend the single, it's fiendishly expensive, but worth every cent.
-the baby can be in the same room as you
-you can breastfeed when he is hungry
-you can bond easier
-you significant other will have a better nights sleep if he is planning to stay overnight (recommended)

Our experience.
My wife insisted on a 5 person room
Benefits
-people to talk to

Negatives
-you cannot have the baby in the same room
-guests can stay all night there are no visiting hours so if your a light sleep it will be a problem.
- you will probably have to walk a fair distance to see the baby.
-No privacy

I'm still pissed that I wasn't able to hold my own baby for seven days, however by and large it was an ok experience, however if there is a next time we'll definitely get the single room.
Pm for for further info.

[hellofaniceguy]

No, I am not preaching, just sharing my experiences. My wife was 43 at the last birth. Hospitals in korea are not like hospitals in advanced nations. But that's the fault of the training, ethics, bedside manners, etc. The korean doctors think they are high and mighty and above everyone else. I pity most of them. No grudge but I think they need to get with it and learn world ways of practicing medicine, bedside manners, etc. Especially nurses. They are a lazy bunch. You'll get the least amount of post-op care from them.
My wife left the hospital the next day and the doctors and nurses were beside themself, they wanted her to remain a week. She asked them why. I told them she can stay in bed at home just as well as in a bed at this hospital. The baby left also with us. I am not a hard ass, just against the way medicine is practiced in korea. It's all about money and how much they can suck out of you. Same thing with naming the baby; they wanted a korean name on the birth certificate. I told them to go "screw yourselves." The hospital affair left a bitter taste in our mouths. Sheets were not changed the following morning, nor were towels. People walking in and out of the room carrying their IV stands just being nosey. The rooms, a few nurses and doctors stinking of kimchee and garlic. Very unprofessional setting.

[peppergirl]

Good luck Ody! Don't worry too much, it seems it all depends on the hospital. One of my husband's colleagues had a baby recently in a hospital in Bundang and he kept saying the staff was sooo friendly. Not all hospitals are bad Hope yours is one of the better ones!!!

[Corporal]

[Bulsajo]

Best of luck and congratulations!

[OiGirl]

Are home births legal in Korea?

[The Lemon]

First of all, big congratulations Ody!! Looking forward to pictures.

[jaebea]

Congrats and best wishes to Ody!

Good luck on a safe and swift delivery :)

jae.

[2T]

A friend of mine had her first two in the states and her third here in Korea.
Before the birth she was quite worried about hospitals here too.
However, it turned out that her experience was really positive. Everyone was really helpful and made things so easy for her.
I hope you have as much of a positive experience as she did.

Good luck with the birth and congratulations.

[desultude]

Best wishes and mazel tov!

[dutchman]

Congrats Ody. It's probably too late now but the private birthing clinics give far better care than the major hospitals. We've (mostly my wife ) experienced both.