Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eleruen]

Hi there,

Hubby (Korean) and I (English), are currently checking out hospitals in which for me to give birth in. I am not currently pregnant, but we feel it is worth taking a look at a few before making a decision over which hospital is best.

I have already looked on this thread....

(http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=351134

...and many of the posters did not specify the exact hospital where they had their baby.

We checked out Seohyeon Jeil hospital (a woman's/birthing hospital), and spoke with a doctor.

While questions such as ''is it standard procedure that my husband is allowed to be present during the delivery'' ''do you let the mother know what is going on and what you are going to do before you do it'' (a bit rude I know but I have read so many horror stories here and elsewhere-so unfortunately I felt compelled to ask) where met with ''of course, of course'' and the expression on her face was ''what a weird question....'', one thing that struck me was this:

She said that after the newborn has had their vital signs quickly checked, and if the baby is deemed healthy, the mother can only hold for the baby for 2-3 minutes before they are taken to a special area/ward/room/nursery where newborns adjust to their environment, surrounded by machines, wires etc. (They are taken to this room even if they are healthy).

This horrified me. I understand that this is done for the baby's health, but I also have read that during the first 1-2 hours after birth, the baby is at their most alert, that this is the best window of opportunity to bond with child, and if this opportunity is missed, it cannot always be compensated for. More over, I read that baby's adjust to the temperature, germs, a regular heartbeat just as well when lying on their mother's chest.

In addition, in the UK this special room for newborns is only for newborns whose vital signs did not show them to be healthy, are having difficulty breathing, premature, born with a defect etc. Otherwise, the emphasis is spending as much time as possible as early as possible with the mother. Indeed, the baby is not whisked away after a 2minute cuddle and breastfeed. They stay with the mother, because the vital signs check shows that they are healthy enough for that.

So, after this long explanation (sorry) my question is, has anybody used a hospital in Korea (in Seoul or Seongnam-si) where the mother is able hold the baby for longer than 2-3 minutes before being taken away, or a hospital that incorporates flexibility into its procedures, so that the baby does not need to be in this special room but can stay with the mother instead?

I do not want to be a special case, going against the procedures that are already there, because I know that even if I ask to have the baby with me and not in this room (assuming the vital signs show that the baby is healthy), there is a strong chance I will be ignored (going by what I have read). Also, I will be tired, weak and in pain from childbirth, so I do not want to be persuading (or arguing with) doctors at that point.

Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

[Lolimahro]

Whenever people ask about birth options in Korea I always suggest that you look at local clinics first. Even if you become pregnant, you have some time to shop around and many women I know don't choose a place for delivery until the 3rd trimester (many have their regular appointments at a local OB/GYN clinic so they don't have to travel farther to a hospital). A good rule of thumb is that the bigger the hospital, the more rigid the policies are likely to be.

Speaking of Seongnam-si, I know a lady who gave birth at Gwak Saeng Ro OB/GYN clinic there. I'm not sure about their other policies, but I do know she got a 3-day stay in a private room with meals included and her birth cost something like 300,000 won. (this was maybe 3~4 years ago) She had a good experience there so I would recommend checking it out. http://kwak.kwak-clinic.co.kr/

Also, this website has a list of Hospitals and Birth Centers - just click on "Resources" on the left sidebar: http://www.birthinginkorea.com/

Best of luck to you!

[eleruen]

Lolimahro,

Thank you for your reply...it was very sincere and without judgement.

I had already contacted birthinginkorea.com before I posted this (should have mentioned this, sorry), and I am still waiting for them to contact me back, but I will certainly add the suggested hospital to my list.

I am doing the research now, because I am a worry-wart, and attachment parenting is my natural parenting style (in additon to knowing that having a baby whisked away for up to 3 days even though they are stable is medically unnecessary, as it does not happen in the UK and some US hospitals-I have heard). Even at this stage, the idea of having a healthy baby taken away for extended periods of time is breaking my heart and bringing me to tears. So, as you can imagine, I do not want to wait till I have a bun in the oven to start checking out hospitals, as my stress levels will not be good for either myself or the wee one.

I am looking at quite a wide area, because hubby and I will be moving out of our 2 bedroom villa, and are looking for affordable 2 or 3 bedroom apartment. The apt renting prices are dropping in some areas in Seoul, (while they are staying the same or rising in Bundang, the rest of Seongnam, Hanam-si etc).

To make things a bit more clear, if the baby's vital signs are normal, I wish to hold the baby for a good 30 minutes at least immediately after birth....if the doctors insist on taking the baby away after this, then I can agree. (Afterall, even after several years living here, I have caught nastier colds than in the UK, and hubby who living in the UK with me for 18 months thinks the viruses are stronger in Korea too, so I might allow them to take the baby away for that reason.) So I can be flexible over having the baby in the special nursery...its just the timing of it that seems strange, unnatural, an unecessary.

Hubby is feverently researching hospitals that are a bit more flexible....but everyone else, please keep the suggestions coming!

[Lolimahro]

eleruen, I think you can find mostly what you are looking for. I live in rural-ish northern Incheon, near Gimpo city, and I am going to a pro-natural birth pro-breastfeeding women's hospital for my birth (I am due next week!). I will be able to hold my baby for 1 hour after delivery. My baby and husband (and I think even my son!) will be able to stay with me in my room for 3 days. (In the U.S. it is 2 days typically but it depends on your health condition). They very much encourage breastfeeding. I have been able to turn down optional testing and screening, IV, and other things. They accepted my birth plan without hesitation (although there were some things that I had to compromise on because of hospital policy). If you have any Korean friends or know any Korean moms with young children, ask them where the most reputable place is in your area - that's the case with the hospital I chose (everyone claims it's the BEST!) and so I feel more confident in my choice.

Like so many things I have found regarding child-rearing (schools, daycares, products, pediatricians, neighborhoods, etc.), whether in Korea or not, a lot of it is just trial-and-error, searching for the best case scenario: a place that will guarantee you the most important things on your priority list, even if you have to negotiate or compromise a little bit on other things.

Wishing you all the best for your search! Don't give up! ^_^

[laynamarya]

I'll be giving birth next month at Sooncheonhyang University Hospital in Hannam-dong, which was recommended to us by our doula, who is the founder of Birthing in Korea. There are several good doctors there, but apparently Dr. Choi is the one most amenable to natural birthing techniques, keeping your baby with you for 1-2 hours after birth and then bringing him/her back as soon as necessary vaccinations, vital signs, etc, are done. She has been great for us so far.

Originally, I was planning to give birth at our local clinic, but my doctor there was too nervous, since I was the first non-Korean he'd ever worked with, and also because my blood is Rh-negative, which he foresaw as a potentially major complication. (I don't think it is a big deal, but I'd rather work with someone who has more confidence anyway.)

My mother-in-law (who is Korean, as is my husband) REALLY wanted us to give birth at a major hospital, like Samsung or Asan, but they are super inflexible, and have VERY high rates of c-sections, unnecessary inducements, and episiotomies are pretty much a given. So SCH is kind of a compromise between super-natural birthing-center and a major hospital.

Good luck!

[eleruen]

aynamarya,Lolimahro

Thank you very much for your replies

I had actually arranged an appointment at Asan to ask about their birthing policies, but the woman on the phone (international clinic, ''Jinny'') did not understand that I just wanted to speak to counsellor or a doctor about birthing policies and procedures, and said I had to have a scan. I had to repeat several times that I am not currently pregnant and so I don't need a scan, then she she said I need something else because we are preparing for pregnancy, so I said no, we will not start trying for another 3-6 months---I am just looking for a good hospital right now because I don't want to look while I am pregnant (as its stressful), and we will move house to near the hospital of my choice etc.

She did not get the concept of planning ahead, was pissed off that her limited knowledge of the birthing procedure was not enough for me (she does not seem to be either a doctor or a midwife) ''so what I told you was not good enough then? '' in a bitchy tone, while I was nothing but polite, and insisited that it was hospital policy for me to have scan or test or something before I can even pose my questions to the doctor. I arranged an appointment anyway, with the intention of refusing all tests when I get there.

I was orginally going to give Asan another chance, because the doctor(s) (there's 2) I will meet might have a different attitiude to this silly woman. But now you have told me how inflexible it is with hight c-section rates etc, I am now inclined to cancel my appointment with them.

Unfortunately, Incheon is too far away from hubby's work, Hannamdong I have heard is too expensive to live in, the surrounding areas such as Itaewon are nasty (so there is no way we will be living near the hospital) so this is not an option either.

But it seems there might be a few flexible hospital around, its just a case of looking for them,....but its pretty hard to find if some hospitals have a policy where I am not allowed to even have a consultation and ask my questions without getting some irrelevant tests done first.

Another thing, did you need a 진단사 from a local 산부인과 in order to go to a larger hospital and ask questions? Asan wants this document!

[eleruen]

aynamarya,Lolimahro

Thank you very much for your replies

I had actually arranged an appointment at Asan to ask about their birthing policies, but the woman on the phone (international clinic, ''Jinny'') did not understand that I just wanted to speak to counsellor or a doctor about birthing policies and procedures, and said I had to have a scan. I had to repeat several times that I am not currently pregnant and so I don't need a scan, then she she said I need something else because we are preparing for pregnancy, so I said no, we will not start trying for another 3-6 months---I am just looking for a good hospital right now because I don't want to look while I am pregnant (as its stressful), and we will move house to near the hospital of my choice etc.

She did not get the concept of planning ahead, was pissed off that her limited knowledge of the birthing procedure was not enough for me (she does not seem to be either a doctor or a midwife) ''so what I told you was not good enough then? '' in a bitchy tone, while I was nothing but polite, and insisited that it was hospital policy for me to have scan or test or something before I can even pose my questions to the doctor. I arranged an appointment anyway, with the intention of refusing all tests when I get there.

I was orginally going to give Asan another chance, because the doctor(s) (there's 2) I will meet might have a different attitiude to this silly woman. But now you have told me how inflexible it is with hight c-section rates etc, I am now inclined to cancel my appointment with them.

Unfortunately, Incheon is too far away from hubby's work, Hannamdong I have heard is too expensive to live in, the surrounding areas such as Itaewon are nasty (so there is no way we will be living near the hospital) so this is not an option either.

But it seems there might be a few flexible hospital around, its just a case of looking for them,....but its pretty hard to find if some hospitals have a policy where I am not allowed to even have a consultation and ask my questions without getting some irrelevant tests done first.

Another thing, did you need a 진단사 from a local 산부인과 in order to go to a larger hospital and ask questions? Asan wants this document!

[laynamarya]

I know what you mean about not planning ahead...did you get married in Korea perchance? That was a whole series of folks giving me information I wanted months later than I wanted it.

I hope you find a hospital with staff and doctors who are more amenable to answering your questions. I don't know that you would need to live near the hospital in order to give birth there, unless you wanted to continue bringing your child there for appointment afterwards. Hannam-dong is about an hour away from our house, even though we live in Seoul. I wouldn't want to live there, even though there are lots of great restaurants.

As for us, we had all our appointments at our local 산부인과 until about 30 weeks, at which time we switched to the hospital. Yes, we did need a 진단서 (referral) to go to SCH. A lot of larger hospitals, especially university hospitals, are now requiring referrals. The 산부인과 is much cheaper, and we can walk there in about five minutes. So, we are planning to switch back to a local clinic afterwards, the 산부인과 for the first six months, and then probably to the family doctor half a block away.

Keep looking, keep asking questions. Sometimes individual doctors will have different policies even at the same hospital. If they are willing to sign a birth plan that allows the birth you want, you have good reason to be optimistic.

Try not to worry too much, though. We didn't start figuring things out till a few months into the pregnancy, and pregnancy itself has actually been far less stressful than everyone told me it would be. You have time.

Oh, one more thing. If you have a KB* bank account, you can get a debit card with 500,000 won to spend on your pre-natal care and hospital expenses, as soon as you can prove that you are pregnant (the hospital or 산부인과 can give you the document). There's one other bank that does this too, but I can't remember which one. So, don't forget to do that.

Good luck!

[allan of asia]

are you sure you want to give birth in Korea at all? if you have a boy you're letting him in for military service! (although I am sure your mother in law would have a heart attack if you even dare suggest giving birth in the UK!)

I also admire you planning ahead, I have never heard anyone be so prepared!

Good luck in finding somewhere nice.

[smurfetta]

I gave birth to my son in a small women's hospital about an 1 hour drive away from where we lived in Chungnam province. I wouldn't worry about trying to find a hospital right next to you.

The hospital I was at was pro natural birth and breast feeding. My son was only away from me for very short periods of time and roomed with me along with my husband. We stayed there for 4 nights because the after care was so good. The insurance covered 3 nights and then we paid for a fourth.

I also started at one hospital and later changed hospitals when I was 7 months along.

Good luck with everything!

[chungbukdo]

[eleruen]

Thanks all for the continuing friendly advice.

Chungbukdo:
If and when we have a kiddie, we will probably make them dual nationality, since it is now possible. I think the UK will force them to choose their nationality at 16...at least, this is when my passport became seperate from my mother's, many moon's ago!

Yeah, I've heard about the heated room thing. It is true that babys need warmer than average temperatures to be comfortable (or at least, I did when I was born and for a few weeks afterwards), but I have heard they are waaaay too hot here in Korea.

Smurfetta:
Please let me know which hospital you gave birth in.

Allan of Asia: I have the coolest mother in law on the planet. She would be disappointed not to be there from the beginning if I gave birth in the UK, and she would be worried about my and the baby's health if I hopped on an airplane 8-9 months pregnant to give birth there, all of which is reasonable . However, for reasons I don't want to get into here (as they are not relevant), a UK birth is not an option for me, unfortunately.

laynamarya: Got married in Korea, changed my name over to ''Bae'' in the UK, as we lived there for a 1.5 years, but left due to the recession and lack of job opportunities etc etc (I won't go into details).

The card you mentioned, was it the Mom Go Card (or something like that?)by any chance? Yeah, already looked into it . And thanks for confirmation over the 진단서.

Luckily I am in a position to go on the internet and gather some (rather scant) info on foreign women's experiences on giving birth here. If I was in this position even 2 or 3 years ago, I think I would not have access to all this information, so I feel for women who have had bad experiences because they were not able to find the information they needed at the time.

[sml7285]

[laynamarya]

Yep, you do fast research. It's actually called the 고운맘 card, so I think the transliteration is Goun Mom.

I am having a son, so we are a little worried about military service, but then again, a lot of things can change in twenty years. Maybe we will live in the US, maybe the laws will change, maybe military service will be less horrendous by then. But I don't think it's worth crossing oceans to give birth in another country, where you may or may not have health insurance, especially when you are eight or nine months pregnant.