Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dodge7]

I can't exactly remember where I read this (but it was on Dave's) that in Korea, the doctors tend to go overboard with ultrasounds.

Those that had babies with Koreans, did you notice this case to be true?
I don't think in the USA they give more than 3 or 4 during the length of the pregnancy assuming you're having a healthy one.

Is this something I have to be on the look out for with Korean doctors?

[ttompatz]

[Dodge7]

thanks tt.
I don't know why, but I heard there were a lot more than that.
I'll take your word for it though.
Thanks.

[singerdude]

My wife had one and sometimes two every month of her pregnancy. It seems like everything is ok so far though. We shall see in a few days!

[alongway]

a lot of women these days are waiting until they're older to have one. Women who are older, mid to late 30s usually have a lot more.
They can have upwards of 15 or more during their pregnancy. Early on they'll do 1 a month, but then switch to every 2 weeks then in the last little while they'll do them weekly.
There are far more complications for older women and they have to keep a very close eye on everything.

[Lolimahro]

I am under 30 and currently expecting. I've been to the doc 3 times now and have had an ultrasound each time. When I was pregnant with my now-3-year-old son in the U.S. I had 4 over the course of my pregnancy and I thought that was a lot. Ultrasounds in Korea are much cheaper than the U.S. (I paid over $500 out of pocket for one for my husband in the U.S. once before he acquired health insurance). My last appointment at a small women's clinic was about 17,000 won including the ultrasound. Also something to note is that abdominal ultrasounds are not routine in Korea. That was a real shocker when I first found that out.

If you want to decline ultrasounds, you can - just ask them if they have a doppler machine to listen to the baby's heartbeat instead. If they won't honor your requests, feel free to find a different provider.

Also please check out http://expatparents.50.forumer.com/index.php for more information on birthing and parenting as an expat in Korea. The site's not as searchable as it used to be but there are still active members who post and answer questions.

[alongway]

[Lolimahro]

[laynamarya]

I'm at 11 weeks and I've had five ultrasounds so far...I am assuming I will have another at my next appointment.

My doctor doesn't seem particularly concerned about my pregnancy, the frequency of ultrasounds seems pretty routine to me. But then again, I have no basis for comparison.

[Dodge7]

Thanks everyone.
She's 4 weeks pregnant now (from the conception date), and beginning to spot. She just bled a little tonight and I'm FREAKING out.
We're going back to the doctors this weekend.

[highstreet]

Can anyone tell me if this is normal? My gf is going to a gynecologist right next to her house. She's at 10 weeks and they've performed two blood tests and they want to do another one in two weeks. The one in two weeks they want to test for hep C, etc. She doesn't have insurance, so we just want to make sure we're not being taken for a ride!

thanks

[PatrickGHBusan]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[PatrickGHBusan]