Friday 15 February 2013

Hospitals and Birthing Centers in Korea

Updated 10 September 2018

This information was compiled from AFIK, Expat Parents Korea!, Gwangju Guide, Korea4Expats, Morning Calm Birthing Services, Pregnancy Information KoreaPregnant in Korea, Reliable Clinics by 10Mag, and word of mouth.

Having a baby in Korea can be challenging due to culture and customs. Usually doctors are seen as all-knowing experts and patients don't dare to question them. Things are changing and they have definitely come a long way in a short time.

Getting Support
Educating yourself is key to getting a good birth. Taking a prenatal class, such as a birthing, breastfeeding, and newborn care class will help you adjust to life with your new baby. Having someone on your side, such as a doula, helps as well. Check out the list of breastfeeding counselors, childbirth educators, and doulas.

Where to Give Birth
There are many options available here. You can give birth at a hospital, women's clinic, natural birthing center, or even at home. The Korean Hospital Association has a useful map of hospitals around Korea. (Remember to use IE when opening Korean websites. Other browsers don't work well.) Morning Calm Birthing Services has a useful chart in English that allows you to easily compare some of the most popular hospitals and birthing centers that foreigners go to. Tender Embrace Birthing also has a list of all the routine prenatal checks and tests that are done in Korea. Although they are routinely done, you can also can opt out of them.

Here are some questions you should ask while on your tour of the hospital or birthing center. What to Expect When You're Expecting also has great info on choosing where to give birth. 

Natural Birthing Centers in the Seoul Area
There are a handful of foreign-friendly natural birthing clinics in Seoul. Agitanseun (aka Rosa), GM Cheil, Lee Myung Hwa, Mamas' Birth Center, Medi Flower, and Yeon and Nature. Prices vary, but if you have Korean national health insurance, they should be 1.5-3 mil for the birth itself and between 6 hours-3 days of recovery time. If you have interventions, need a C-section, or need special care you may be charged extra. Be sure to ask about prices ahead of time. Remember you can use whatever is left on your GoEun Mom card for the birth. See below for more info.

Home Births
Home births are completely legal in Korea. Here's a list of English speaking doctors and midwives who will do home births. If you speak Korean, you will have more options (and usually pay less than what English speaking doctors and midwives charge). The Korean Midwives Association has a handful of midwives who do home births.

C-sections
They are common in Korea (around 33%), which is similar to the USA. Choosing a good place to give birth is key to getting the birth you want. Here is a consumer report about birthing centers, hospitals, and C-sections in Korea. (It's in Korean. Try using Google Translate to translate it from Korean to Japanese and then Japanese to English. That provides the best results. Remember to use IE when opening Korean websites. Other browsers don't work well.) 1 is the top score and 5 is the lowest. Those that have fewer than 30 births per month aren't rated. If you want to avoid a C-section, look into places that are rated 1 or 2.

GoEunMom Card 
Pregnant mums enrolled with the NHIC qualifies for pre-natal checkup discounts up to a limit of 500,000 (60,000 limit KRW per visit). More information here. You'll have to get a note from your doctor and take it to Shinhan or KB bank. You must have an account at one of those banks in order to get the card. You'll receive it in the mail a couple days later. If you don't use all the money before the baby is born you have until 60 (I think) days to use it after the baby is born to pay for baby related doctor visits and shots.

NICUs
Here's an article about NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units) in Korea.

Infertility Treatments, IUIs, and IVFs in Korea
Here's an article with information and a list of hospitals and clinics that can help those seeking infertility treatment in Korea


SEOUL AND GYEONGGI-DO
Agitanseun Natural Birth Center (김옥진조산원)
Kim Okjin, Midwife aka "Rosa"
401-1, 3F Saeyang Chungmaru Sang-ga Naeson 2-dong, Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do 
경기도 의왕시 내손2동 401-1 세청마루상가 3F
Telephone: (031) 410-8597
Cell: 010-2447-8231 and 019-447-8231
ojkim80@hanmail.net
Near Indeogwon station
  • 2.5 mil for a natural birth and 3 mil for a home birth. 
  • She's a midwife and has over 20 years experience. She speaks English. Very popular with Koreans and foreigners, though I think foreigners pay more. It's a natural birthing center, though she does have pitocin and she will do vaccinations if you want them.
  • It's very nice and cozy. There are two rooms, plus a waiting area, a bathroom, and a room with a tub. She's pretty much hands off, so you're free to walk around, use the birthing tub, birthing ball, listen to music, etc. She usually comes to your house after giving birth, to see how you are doing, do the PKU test, and take out stitches. She's got some strong opinions, like no vaccinations or vitamin K drops.


Asan Medical Center (Seoul Choongang Hospital)
388-1 Poongnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Telephone: 02-2224-3114
Emergency: 2224-3333 (after 5:30 p.m.)
International Clinic: (02) 3010-5001


Bless Birthing Center (열린가족조산원)
1154-1 Jung 1-dong, Wonmi-Gu, Bucheon,Gyeonggi-do
경기도 부천시 원미구 중1동 1154-1
Telephone: 032-324-9900


Bombit Women's Hospital
1049-3 Hogye-dong, Anyang-si, Dongan-gu, Gyeonggi-do
Telephone: (031) 380-7300


BOM Ultrasound Clinic
Located inside Good News Hospital
Bijeon 5-ro 3, (Bijeon-dong 1090), Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do
Telephone: 1800-5575 or (031) 668-0075
  • An much better alternative than Imom.
  • Walk-ins for regular ultrasounds. 3D and level 2 ultrasounds require an appointment. 

Cha General Hospital 
650-9 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 3468-3000
International Clinic: (02) 3468-2632 or (02) 3468-3127


Charm Women's Clinic (참산부인과)
63-1 Sunae-dong, Seongnam, Bundang-Gu, Gyeonggi-do,
성남시 분당구 수내동 63-1
Telephone: (031) 711-5005


Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center
1-19 Mukjeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul


Dongtan Jeil Women's Hospital
Hwaseong-si, Samsung 1-ro
Telephone: (031) 8015-9999
  • The doctors speak English.  
  • Private rooms have their own tubs. 

Dr. Sung’s Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic
2nd Floor Chung Wha Building, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 790-0802
  • She does not deliver babies anymore and only sees women until their second trimester.

Esther Clinic
1003-112 Jukejeon, Suji-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do
Telephone: (031) 264-2722
  • Dr. Song speaks English but most of the staff does not.

Gangnam Severance Hospital 
146-92 Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 2019-3600
International Clinic: (02) 3497-3600


GM Cheil Women's Clinic
896 Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi-do
Telephone (02) 890-2555
  • A new natural birthing center that opened in early 2016. There's an English speaking midwife named Julia who used to work at Yeon and Nature. GM Cheil is located on three floors. The 7th floor is where check-ups are done. The 8th floor is where the delivery rooms are. The 9th floor is where the recovery rooms and education room is. They offer epidurals and can do C-sections.
  • Prices are about half what Medi Flower and Yeon and Nature charge. Expect to pay about 1.5 mil if you have national health insurance.
  • You can read more about them at this post

Haesung Obstetric Gynecology
18-11 Mila 2-gil (Sangyeong-dong 1197), Seobuk-gu, Cheonan
Telephone: (041) 572-4567 
  • They are pro-natural birth. They only give walking epidurals. They will leave you alone and not do any checks unless you ask. No episiotomy and no coached pushing.
  • They have a nice, dimly-lit birthing suite, a mini gym in the labor ward with birthing balls and stretching equipment. 
  • Dr Lee Kwang Yeol and Dr Moon, speak English very well. The nurses and receptionist don't really speak English. 
  • The clinic is very well known on naver blogs for being pro-natural birth and letting the mother choose her birth experience.
  • They can do C-sections there and there is a big university hospital just a 5 minute walk away.

HaeSung Women's Hospital
Located in the 2nd Market area (saeng yeong dong) of Donducheon, near Camp Casey
Telephone: (031) 868-5858
Google map coordinates: 37.903989, 127.054473


Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital: various locations in Seoul and suburbs
  • They have locations in Anyang (main Hallym hospital), Seoul (their Kangnam (Gangnam), Hangang, and Kangdong (Gangdong) locations), and Dongtan. They also have one hospital located in Chuncheon.
  • Many expats have had positive reviews about the one in Dongtan. A number of military families go there. They say the doctors are attentive, have a good bedside manner, and there's an international desk that will help with translations.

Hanyang University Hospital 
17 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 2290-8303
Emergency: (02) 2290-8282
International Clinic: (02) 2290-9553


Hanvit Women's Hospital 한빛여성병원 
Gwangdeokdong-ro 53, Danwon-gu, Ansan City, Gyeonggi-do (Gogan 1 dong 774-1)
Google map
Telephone: (031) 410-3316


Happy Birth (행복한이명화조산원)
This place has been renamed. Please see the listing under "Lee Myung Hwa"


Hatvit 
74 Dobong-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 983-7772
Click on the plus at the top right to see the hours
Facebook
  • They promote natural birthing as well as VBACs so would have to book an epidural in advance. They encourage you to make a CD with music to listen to. You'll get 2 free massages (full body and breast), and a diaper bag with free samples.
  • They don't speak much English. 
  • There are three types of rooms: 4 pregnant women to a room is 10,000 won/day, 1 upgrade ~180,000/day, and the luxury one, which is about 200,000 won a day.

Il Shin Birthing Center (일신조산원)
52-1 Dapsipli-dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, Seoul
서울특별시 동대문구 답십리동 52-1
Telephone: (02) 2244-2841



IMom Obgyn
589-1beonji, Icheon-dong, Pyeongtaek
Telephone: (031) 663-3510 / 3511 / 3512 / 3513
  • People go here because it's cheap, but you get what you pay for. They do cheap ultrasounds no appointment necessary, for about 40,000-60,000 depending on the type of ultrasound. BOM Ultrasound Clinic is a good alternative.
  • The doctors speak ok English, but don't have a good bedside manner. If something is wrong, they're going to be direct and unfeeling. One mom found out she had a miscarriage when the doctor had trouble finding the baby and just announced, "miscarriage" and refused to do treatment and just shooed her away. 
  • Sanitation isn't the best as one mom reported blood on the sofa in the waiting room.
  • They have a postpartum birth facility (sanhujuriwon).

JEIS MB
The address on their website is wrong. They have moved from Mapo to Hapjeong. Please call them for their address.
Telephone: (02) 324-9966
  • All private rooms. 
  • Joriwon available for people who birth there. 
  • Yoga and mom-to-be classes from 20 weeks. 
  • Doctor speaks limited English. 
  • Walk-in prenatal appointments are available. 
  •  
Kim San Soon Birthing Center 김삼순조산원
806-60 Guro 4-dong,Guro-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 구로구 구로4동 806-60 ‎
Telephone: (02) 854-0818


Lady Samsung Women and Children's Hospital (삼성산부인과) 

This place has been renamed. Please see the listing under "Zion Women's Hospital" 


La Mere Women's Hospital (라메르여성병원) 
160-14 Singil-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Tel: (02) 847-1001 (English speaking director: Eunice)
350,000 - 400,000 for natural delivery and 1.2-1.3 mil for C-section (7D6N).
  • From Singil Exit 1, walk straight down the hill and cross to the opposite road at the first zebra crossing. Walk until you see a HomePlus Express at the corner. Turn right. A few minutes later, you will see the clinic on your right. It is a black marble building (about 6-7 storeys) with the name in pink. 
  • The hospital is a women's hospital (level 2) with a paediatric clinic and pharmacist on the first level. They deliver vaginal birth and C-sections and seem to be very supportive of natural birth. However, they are also open to C-sections and do not judge. 
  • There is a doctor there that speaks English (Dr. Kim Ji Yeon) and a director (Eunice) that answers most of the hospital/admin related questions. The nurses speak minimal English. Dr. Kim is a great doctor. She does not overprescribe vitamins, etc and is able to answer questions in very good English. She might not allow too much flexibility during the pre-natal checkups (pushing for less sonogram or tests) but most of the checkups are covered by the GoEunMom card anyway. 
  • The staff is very friendly and accommodating and they are quite flexible with your birthing options and hospital stay. There will be staff to help you with breastfeeding during your stay. They provide massage to help with engorgement.
  • Only private rooms are available. The baby can stay with you or if you want, be in the nursery. You can also opt to stay for less or more time (additional night KRW130,000). 
  • They offer classes (breastfeeding, mobile making etc) but only in Korean. 
  • They have a postpartum centre (book 1-2 months in advance) for KRW130,000 per night. 
  • Moms get a free goodie bag! You'll get a Korean blanket (the thick blanket to take your baby home), a set of baby clothes and blanket, a tin of milk powder, bottles and nappies. undergarments, slippers and entertainment. Everything for the baby will be provided for. The hospital provides a baby book and CD. They also give you a professionally photographed album for your baby! Once you do a 4D ultrasound, if they can't check for all the limbs, you get free 4D scans for the next one or two checkups! 

Lee Myung Hwa (행복한이명화조산원) they used to be Happy Birth
Seonbu-dong 1070-12 Gwangwon Building Office 208, Danwon-Gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 안산시 단원 선부동 1070-12관원빌딩 208호
Telephone: (031) 410-3573 and 010-2803-3573
  • Lee Myung Hwa is the midwife.
  • They attend home births.

Mamas' Birth Center 
3rd floor, Daesakwanro 60 Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 797-3573
Danica: 010-7170-1099.
  • Mamas' Birth Center is a natural birthing center. They have experience working with foreigners. They have 5 rooms. Each rooms has a tub. The rooms have great lighting, birthing balls, and birthing stools. They also work with a doula who speaks English and Korean and have birthing education classes. They have double beds (Korean style, so a bit hard).
  • There is no doctor, just midwives. They are not able to perform C-sections, and all pre-natal tests and transfers are done at SCH. 
  • They do home births in Seoul only. 
  • Birth plus 6 hour recovery period: 1 mil. Daily room rate: 250,000. Home births are 1.2 mil and are only done in Seoul. All prices are with Korean National Insurance.  If you don't have KNI, it will be more expensive. People have said a birth plus a 6 hour recovery period is about 3 mil. After that it's 250,000 per day in the room and 10,000 for meals.

Medi Flower
Dr. Hwanwook Chung
2nd Floor of Lotte Castle Medici, 1656-4 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 548-9400 (Press 9 for English)
Near Kyodae subway station
  • About 3mil for a vaginal birth though prices vary depending on insurance. Without Korean insurance, expect to pay about 7-15 mil. They offer epidurals and are able to perform C-sections. They attend home births.
  • They have been around for a while and are popular among expats. However, now there are other options, such as GM Cheil (1.5 mil) Mamas' Birth Center (1.5 mil), and Yeon and Nature 3 mil). Two of these are cheaper than MF and all of them have tubs in the rooms. In MF, only one room has its own tub and the rest share. For clients with Tricare, Medi Flower might be a good choice. If you hire one of their doulas, they do something with the invoice so that Tricare covers the cost of the doula, even though Tricare states they won't cover doulas. I'm not sure about the legalities of this, however, many families have had Tricare pay for their MF doula.
  • About 3mil for a vaginal birth though prices vary depending on insurance. They offer epidurals and are able to perform C-sections. 

Ms Bebe
Simindae-ro 401, Daeryung Techno Town 219-ho, 220-ho, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
Telephone: (031_ 389-8873


NaLee Hospital (나리 병원) 
201-38 Sau-dong, Seo-gu, Gimpo, Incheon
Tel: (031) 982-5700
  • Complications-free vaginal delivery is about 600,000 won which includes a 3-night stay Directions: From the Gimpo High School bus stop, walk under the nearest walking bridge and take an immediate left after passing the bridge. Walk 2 blocks straight and take a right. You will see a large maroon-colored building, about 8 stories high with 산부인과 written on it. 
  • The hospital is a women's and children's hospital. They have gynecology (산부인과), pediatrics (소아과), and internal medicine (내과) doctors.
  • While there used to be a doctor who spoke English named Dr. Yeong-seok Cho who was open to requests, let people turn down testing that they don't want, and allowed rooming-in, he has no left. The other doctors are not accommodating at all and they don't allow rooming-in. If you're in this area, there is a natural birthing clinic nearby called GM Cheil.

Queens Women's Clinic
9-13 Seongjeonggong-won 1-gil, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan, Chuncheongnam-do
041-569-2000
010-2603-8314‬
Waze
  • There's a natural birthing room with a birth tub (for labor and/or birth), birth ball, peanut ball, ropes, and a bar (the latter two are used to hold onto while pushing). 
  • It is Korean style, so you'll be sleeping on the floor.
  • They also have a VIP room. 
  • They can do VBACs and C-sections. 
  • Dr. Seo Gi Won is the doctor. 
  • About half an hour from Camp Humphreys. Very affordable. 
  • They are connected to Dankook Hospital, so they might be able to bill Tricare directly. 

Rosa
Please see the listing under "Agitanseun"


Samsung Medical Center 
Dr. Kim OBGYN
50 Ilwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 3410-0200
Emergency: 3410-2060
International Clinic: (02) 3410-0200
  • They have an amazing NICU policy. Most hospitals will only let you go to the NICE twice a day for 30 minutes, but Samsung has a very open policy for visiting. You can read more about NICUs here

Seoul National University Hospital 
28 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 2072-2722
International Health Services Department: 02-2072-0505 or 010-8831-2890


Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Gangnam 
505 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 1588-1511
International Clinic: 02-2258-5746
Russian: 011-0125-8667
  • They occasionally offer birthing classes in English. They're sporadic and taught by a doctor. They last about 2 hours and cost 65,000.  
  • I've been told they have the highest successful VBAC rate in Korea at 90%. 

Shes Medi: Suwon
288 Jangdari-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon
Telephone: (031) 231-7400
  • English speaking, they offer natural childbirth options and are for kangaroo care.

Shi-Min Birthing Center (시민조산원)
4902-1 Singil dong, Yeongdeungpo-Gu, Shin-Gil, Seoul
서울특별시 영등포구 신길동 4902-1
Telephone: (02) 833-1612


Soonchunhyang Hospital (SCH)
Dr. Lee OBGYN. Dr. Choi for water birth
657 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
They also have locations in Bucheon, Cheonan, Gumi, and Asan.
Telephone: (02) 709-9114
Emergency: (02) 709-9119
International Clinic: (02) 709-9158 or (02) 709-9058
  • They have a free birthing class that lasts for 30-90 minutes but it's only for women who birth at SCH.  
  • Doctors speak Spanish and English.
  • They are supportive of natural births and have a birthing tub but also do many c sections. They will follow a birth plan. many foreign couples go there so they are used to 'foreign' requests. However, the aftercare is very Korean, meaning the husband or your own hired help has to take care of you. 
  • I know that some people have had issues with their medical histories being taken down incorrectly as well as have had ultrasounds interpreted incorrectly. 

Win Women Hospital
1759 beongil 32 Bongyeong-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
Telephone: (031) 201-9800


Woo Lee Women's Clinic
936-3 Dongchun-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do
Telephone (032) 032-818-5121, 5122, 5123, 5124
  • Women's clinic. I've heard that they speak English there.

Yale OBGYN
Hapjeong-dong 757-3, Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi-do.
Telephone: (031) 656-3885 and (031) 659-7360
  • There are only male doctors but the nurses, office staff, and doctors speak English. Natural, epidurals, and c-sections available as well as care for other fertility issues. 
  • Private room with natural birth is 300,000 with Korean National Insurance. 
  • Very nice and accommodating birthing hospital and seem to be familiar with foreigners. Great facility.

Yeon and Nature 
521 Hakdong-ro (Cheongdam-dong 72-1) Gangnam-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 강남구 학동로521 (청담동72-1)
Telephone: 02-518-1300 or 010-4009-1151
  • Dr. Park's place: opened in late 2014. A natural birthing center that also has epidurals and C-sections available. There are no extra fees to use the birthing pool, every birthing room has pool. Total cost will be around 3-4 mil. This includes the labor and delivery, a 2-night stay, newborn screening, and meals.
  • They have English speaking midwives and doulas. 
  • They do placenta encapsulation and placenta prints for about 300,000 won. 

Yonsei Severance Hospital
Dr. Kwon OBGYN
134 Shinchon-dong, Sudaemun-gu, Seoul
Tel: (02) 392-3404 or (02) 2228-1009
Emergency: (02) 361-2540
International Clinic: (02) 2228-5800 or (02) 2228-5810


Yonsei Women and Children's Hospital (연세모아병원)
947-2 Yeongtong-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Youngtong-dong Gyeongi-do
경기도 수원시 영통구 영통동 947-2
Telephone: (031) 201-4500


Zion Women's Hospital (시온여성병원)  
1011-2, Youngtong-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 수원시 영통구 영통동 1011-2
Telephone: (031) 201-0700
  • If you want to go for the 자연출산 (natural childbirth) option, you'll have to sign up ahead of time and pay an additional fee of about 500,000. Not all the doctors do it; only about 30% do. 
  • They also have a good VBAC rate.
  • They still do a lot of episiotomies, so be aware if you want to avoid them. 
  • They do have a good breastfeeding policy: at least 15 minutes of skin-to-skin in the delivery room to attempt breastfeeding, no supplementation of formula, and full rooming-in. They also have an excellent lactation consultant.
  • They have a birth coach who acts as a doula. 
  • You'll give birth in a room that doesn't feel like a hospital room. There's intermittent monitoring with a doppler. You can choose any position you'd like for labor and delivery. 
  • They do delayed clamping of the umbilical cord and will lay the baby on your stomach right after birth.
OUTSIDE OF SEOUL AND GYEONGGI-DO

Areum Women's Hospital: Busan
Dongrae-gu, Oncheon-dong 473-1
(051) 557-0114

  • They say they are all for natural birth and breastfeeding. They will do VBACs.

Boram Hospital (보람 병원): Gwangju
840-2 Ilgok-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju
Telephone: (062) 605-1500
  • They say they're pro-natural but that doesn't seem to be the case. Epidurals are only available at certain times and moms must birth on their backs. The rooms have no bathroom and the nurses are young and rough. However, they allow VBACs and vaginal twin births.
  • Dr. Jung (male) speaks good English and has a good bedside manner.
  • There are 2 translators on call 24/7.

Creation & Love Women’s Hospital (시엘병원): Gwangju
13-21 Gwangcheon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju
Telephone: (062) 368-1700~2


Eden Hospital (에덴 병원): Gwangju
822-12 Duam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju
Telephone: (062) 260-3000
  • Probably the most breastfeeding-friendly hospital in Gwangju.
  • They routinely see expats so most documents can be found in English. They have an English version of the Prenatal Mom booklet. 
  • Dr. Jin Il-seop and Dr. Kim Hyeon Jeong speak English.

Elle Medi: Geoje
970-18 Gohyun
Telephone (055) 638-0037/8
  • You'll have to call to make an appointment on the weekdays, but they take walk-ins on the weekend. They have 1 delivery room. There are no NICUs on Geoje Island.
  • Dr. Jung Pil Lee speaks English well. He's very caring, thorough, and considerate of the needs of Western women.

Frau-medi Hospital: Ulsan
1574-2 Samsan-dong
  • I've also heard it called Prau-medi. It has a decent reputation for natural birthing. 

Good Moonhwa Hospital: Busan
899-8  Beom-il2-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, 601-803
Telephone: (051) 644-2002 and (051) 630-0123
  • They've just opened a new natural birthing center in fall 2014 called Love to Come (LTC) Clinic. It's located inside a hospital so they can do C-sections. They have midwives on staff.
  • There are 3 spacious birthing rooms and they each have their own bathroom with a shower. 
  • You can read more about it in Busan Haps and Issuu.

Gwangju: If you're in Gwangju here is some info about giving birth at a general hospital, a list of hospitals, and obgyns.


Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital: Chuncheon
Telephone: (033) 240-5119
  • Part of a large hospital system with five other Hallyms located in and around Seoul.

Hannah OBGY: Cheongju
Kilindae-ro 489, Deokjan-gu
Telephone: (063) 250-3500~2
  • Park Yeon Bae is listed as a HypnoBirthing® practitioner and works there. I'm not sure if she's a doctor, midwife, nurse, or doula. 

Han Woo Ri Birthing Center: Busan 
25 ban gil 1 (Yeonsan-dong), Jungangcheon-ro, Yeonjae-gu, Busan
Telephone: (051) 867-2900 and 010-2446-3188
midwifebaby@hanmail.net

  • They have three birthing rooms and they don't speak much English at all.
  •  The midwife is Cho Hyun Jung.

Home birth Birthing Center: Daegu
833 beonji, Beommal 2-dong, Susang-gu, Daegu
Telephone: (053) 781-3832
  • Run by midwife Oh Jae Sook who has many years of experience with home births.
  • She will bring a birthing stool and has some experience with water births. 
  • She speaks no English, but she will travel and charges between 800,000 and 1 mil.
  • I don't think she has a website, but if you know of one, please tell me and I will add it.

Hwamyung Ilsin Christian Hospital (화명일신기독병원): Busan
Telephone: (051) 363-0331
Facebook
Geumgokdae-ro 264, Hwamyung-dong,
  • New birthing suites with birthing tubs are available at this hospital.

Hyosung Hospital: Daegu
Telephone: (053) 766-7073
  • Known to be very foreigner friendly, but not too friendly for natural birthing. Expect a lot of interventions, such as shaving, birthing on your back, and enemas. They offer breastfeeding support. 
  • They have an international center and a translator on call 24/7.
  • Many foreign mom prefer Dr. Choi Yoon-Young, who's a female doctor.
  • The birthing rooms are very large and they each have a bathroom but no shower. 

Jesus Hospital: Cheonju
Seowon-ro 365, Wansan-gu, Cheonju
Telephone: (063) 230-8114


Kim Sun-Seon Birthing Center (김순선 조산원): Jeju
Ohnam-ro 224
Telephone: (064) 757-514 or (064) 723-5858
  • A new birthing center in Jeju. The midwife, 김순선 (Kim Sun-seon), is also a certified doula.
  • I don't think she has a website, but if you know of one, please let me know and I'll add it. 

Love to Come (LTC) Clinic (see Good Moonhwa): Busan


Medi Park: Daegu
Facebook
Telephone: (053) 740-7764
  • The doctors there do lots of interventions. At 37 weeks, expect to be asked if you want to be induced or have a C-section. They have administered pitocin during labor without consent, encourage epidurals very early on in labor (before 4 cm), and may insist that your baby stay in a warmer in the nursery. If you're looking for medicated births, this might be the right place for you.

Mij Ai Hospital: Mokpo 
Baeknyeondae-ro 418
(061) 260-8000
  • Great doctors and good staff.

Mirae Obgyn: Busan
Busanjin-gu, Kayadae-ro 459 (Gaegeum)
(051) 890-9999

  • Dr. 이재준 is pro-natural birth.

Miz-I Clinic Obstretic and Gynecology: Mokpo
977-2 Ogam-dong, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do
Telephone (061) 260-8000
  • Some doctors will let you labor in any position but want you birthing on your back. 
  • You can refuse an IV and instead just ask for a hep-lock.
  • They do actively managed procedures. They'll insist on pitocin after birth in order to shrink the uterus. They take the baby away and give them formula. You may be required to wear a plastic apron and gloves to nurse. The nurses only know a little about breastfeeding.
  • You may need to bring your own cutlery, toilet paper, and soap.

MizMom: Geoje
26 Okpodaecheop-ro, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Telephone: (055) 688-9123/4
  • There's no need for an appointment on weekdays. If you go on the weekend you'll have to make an appointment. Dr. Ho Yeol Lee speaks English well. 
  • There are 4 delivery rooms and 1 surgery room. There are no NICUs on Geoje. 

Mizpia Hospital (미즈피아병원): Gwangju
1258-3 Chipyeong-dong , Seo-gu, Gwangju
Telephone: (062) 380-2000

 
Peace Midwives (평화조산원): Masan 
158-2 Hapseong 2(i)-dong, Masanhoewon-gu, Gyeongsangnam-do
Tel: (055) 256-9236
  • They'll do home births.

Prime Women's Clinic: Gimhae (near Busan) 
Naedong 1140-4 Guensang Building 2F, Gimhae, Gyeongsang-gu
Tel: (055) 328-0059

  • Natural birthing hospital near Busan. Many of the doctors speak  The head doctor of the hospital is heavily in favor of natural birth, using doulas, and HypnoBirthing®. A natural birth will cost about 300,000 and a C-section will be about 800,000.
  • You can labor and birth in any position and immediate skin-to-skin contact is encouraged as is rooming in. 
  • VBACs are strongly encouraged and they do gentle C-sections.
  • They have their own midwives on staff, and are willing to consider and speak to you about different options so that you can have the birthing experience that you want. 
  • They offer breastfeeding support. 

Pyeonghwa Yeollin Birth Center (평화열린 조산원): Gwangju
Telephone: (055) 256-9236
Email: pongrim@hanmail.net  
  • Recommended by those living near Gwangju. A birthing center that focuses on natural birth and midwives. 

Samsungmiz OBGYN: Asan
Baebang Eup Jangjaelee 1781, Asan City, Chungnam Province 
Telephone: 1600-8383
Dr. Kim Jung-man is very pro-natural birth.


Ulsan University Hospital: Ulsan
 877 Bangeojin Sunhwando-ro, Dong-gu, Ulsan
Telephone: (052) 250-7222
  • Very medical approach with nothing by mouth and constant monitoring, but they are open to a more hands-off approach if the situation allows. 
  • The birthing rooms are new and spacious and each has a private bathroom. 
  • Prof. Lee Soo Jeong (female) speaks good English and they have an international center.
  • Epidurals are usually in the morning and moms are transported to the OR on a different floor for the procedure. They can be hooked up or not. They only do epidurals between 4 and 8 cm. 
  • They have a NICU.

W-Hospital: Gwangju
  • New facility - clean and nice looking.
  • English speaking doctors.
  • They respect for the birth plan.

Women's Hope Center: Pohang 
Facebook and Korean website
  • They help women in unplanned pregnancy situations (married and unmarried) and provide natural childbirth seminars (e.g. The Bradley Method) and other seminars. 

Women's Hospital: Pohang
Bukgu Eunchangdong-ro 22 beon gil 7
(054) 255-5000
  • They are open to a hands-off labor and delivery as well as not using an epidural. 


Yeongji Maternity Clinic (양지산부인과): Gunsan 
(063) 467-0055
Sangnieun Angil 61

  • Great place. This hospital prefers natural delivery. The female OBGYN was fantastic. They were very accommodating to expats, they did everything they could for us including filing a complaint against our previous OBGYN at the medical board in Korea. 
  • The total was 906,000 for C-section and 5 nights 6 days in a private room, this also included the detailed genetic screening and hearing test (90,000 and 60,000).
  • Please avoid 은해산후주리원 in Jigok-dong like the plague. There are lots of horror stories about this place.
  • I haven't found a website for them. If you know of one, please let me know so that I can add it. 
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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.




43 comments:

  1. I am wondering if you know much about the medical centre at Hanyang. I tried to phone them but both numbers on their website led to Korean non-English speakers. I sent an email to ask about alternative birthing procedure and English services. I received a very long, confusing email in return that said they don't offer services for foreigners in particular.

    Do you know of any expats that have used this hospital before? I'm curious because it's much closer to me than the clinic that I'm currently using.

    Thank you for any information you can provide!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Barbara,
      Congratulations on your pregnancy! I don't know of anyone who has given birth there. My first impressions, based on what you have written, would lead me to look elsewhere. If you have trouble calling and there's no one who speaks English or they hang up on you, it can be very frustrating.

      As far as the email goes, I'm guessing it's because they think that foreigners and Koreans are "different" so may not know what to do when a foreigner gives birth.

      I've asked around and I will let you know if I find out anything else.

      Delete
  2. Hi All!
    If I could put in a plug for Hatvit. I'm pregnant with my first and due the first week of December. One of the moms at my school recommended this hospital, Dr. Seongkyu Park in particular. The support staff speaks more English than they think they do, though I would recommend bringing a bilingual speaker with you the first couple of times until you get used to it. Dr. Park is fantastic. He's kind, understanding and speaks fantastic English. Even though I haven't given birth yet, my husband and I have had a wonderful experience there and I'm confident everything will go smoothly.
    Cheers!
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  3. What is the standard hospital/birthing center stay for an uncomplicated natural birth in Korea? I had my son at a Japanese hospital and was surprised by the mandatory 5-day minimum stay for such a birth, with strict visiting hours imposed, even for husbands.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Mimi
    For birthing centers it could be hours. I left after eight hours. For hospitals it's usually 3 days. Husbands are usually allowed during this time. If you baby is taken to the nursery then people can usually only see him/her a couple times a day. The mother can nurse the baby when needed though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was wondering, are there any hospitals/birthing centers in Seoul that are flexible with natural birthing options (especially having tubs, etc.) but will also do epidurals on maternal request? Or do you kind of have to decide whether you want an epidural in advance and choose a more "high intervention" place?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Yes, of course! Many of the places above are flexible. Each place is different. Some make you decide ahead of time, some don't. Yeon and Nature and Mediflower are really good for natural births.

      Delete
  6. Hi Sharon

    I am very nervous as I will be 5-6 months pregnant with our first when my husband and I move to Geoje Island next year. I really want to try to have a natural birth without an episiotomy (although I understand that there is always a chance that a c-section may be required) but I have no idea whether there is a hospital in Geoje that does natural births? I am concerned that I won't be able to communicate with the medical staff - I would be most grateful if you could help me find a hospital that has English speaking staff. I am so anxious - I really don't want to have to stay behind in Australia on my own to have the baby while my husband goes ahead! Thanks Asha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Asha!

      Congrats on your pregnancy! I don't know of any places in Geoje. If you're not on EPK!, you should join, https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpatParentsKorea/?fref=ts I'll ask there and in a couple other groups and will get back to you with what I find out.

      Have you considered coming up to Seoul a few weeks before the birth and birthing at one of the clinics here such as Medi Flower or Yeon and Nature?

      Delete
    2. Ok, so I've been told that most women living in Geoje go to Prime in Gimhae which is less than an hour away. I've also been told that there's a clinic called MizMom. I can't find their website, but I found their address and phone. Hopefully it's for the correct place! Try also contacting Adele from www.parentlink.kr She's down south and works with a lot of families in Geoje.

      Delete
  7. Hi Sharon, thank you so much for your help. I have sent this information on to my husband who is currently in Geoje for work so he can ask around and investigate. Hopefully we will also get the chance to do a preview trip up to Korea before we move there so that I have a chance to talk to people myself and to look around at some of the facilities.

    I also like your suggestion that I could go to Seoul a few weeks before the birth which could be a second option for us if we can't find somewhere close to Geoje that doesn't work.

    Thank you so much for your help. I am so glad that I found your website - it is so helpful, I have been desperately searching for useful information since I found out that we're moving. I really appreciate it.

    Many thanks

    Asha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem! I've added more info about MizMom and another hospital in Geoje.

      Delete
  8. I am not sure my previous try to post a long comment was successful but as i cant see it i guess not.. just wanted to recommend Yeon and Nature, i wont be delivering there due to discovering the place to late in my pregnancy and instead i will stay with the birthing center ive been visiting throughout my pregnancy. The reason i recommend Y&N is that when i visited i loved the whole space from reception and common area to the rooms where each of them has own bath tube and big double bed- feels like a decent hotel room! The center i am using myself is also in the list of the recommended birthing centers, but when i finaly was shown the rooms i was disappointed- there is only one room with double bed and it didnt have bath tube- just open shower with water going all over the floor.. the normal rooms are with a smaller bed and with effort could fit two ppl but i was told my husband have to sleep on the floor!? Today i went for vag swap and for my surprise i was taken to what i assume is standard room for stay where i was made to sit on visibly disturbed bed cover with clothes around my knees and this way they collected the sample!!! Ive never had this before and never heard of such a thing.. if ive found Y&N earlier i would have gone there. .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you found Yeon. I've also heard wonderful things about them!

      Delete
  9. Hello there. I live in Sinsadong, Apgujeong area. The nearest birth center/hospital near my place is HOSAN WOMEN'S HOSPITAL. If you may heard or experience, Can you share any review about this place? Thank you so much

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nasihah,
      I haven't, but you could try asking on Expat Parents Korea! on Facebook. Good luck.

      Delete
  10. Hello! I'm moving to South Korea and tend to have a child every two years...how far will midwives generally travel? I will be outside of Camp Carroll in Waegwan and have lengthy labors, so plenty of time for arrival. I'm a big home birther and I would hate to be stuck in a hospital over there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi

      You should be fine. Do you or your husband speak Korean? If you do you'll have more midwives to choose from. Otherwise here are some English speaking midwives who do homebirths. http://tenderembracebirthing.blogspot.kr/2015/12/doctors-and-midwives-who-will-do-home.html

      How far they travel will depend. It's worth contacting them to see. Good luck!

      Delete
  11. Hi,

    I have 8 months old baby boy and have shifted now to POSTECH institute situated at Pohang. I am looking for a good hospital for his checkups and vaccination in pohang. Kindly, inform me aboyt a few. We have been taking him to hyosang hospital so far.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not familiar with Pohang. Try asking in one of the FB groups listed at the beginning of this post. You could also call 1330 or 120 and ask them for recommendations. Good luck!

      Delete
  12. I am the grandmother of a baby girl born at SCH in Seoul December 2016. My son is American and my daughter-in-law is Korean. I am also a Registered Nurse in California and worked as a L & D nurse for over 42 years. Also I am a Certified LC. This hospital restricted visitors to the husband only in the L&D department. And I mean "no other person". My daughter-in-law had a c-section which my son almost missed because they didn't come get him. The baby was whisked away to the nursery for 5 hours. No, there was no problem. When the baby finally came in to the post partum room, the nurse wanted to keep the baby wrapped up while the mother wanted skin-to-skin. We prevailed. Not one nurse came in to assess vaginal bleeding or look at her incision. Also, this is hard to believe, but vital signs were never taken on mom or baby. I helped her nurse and I was glad to help but no nurse came in at any time to make sure mom and baby were doing well. She had to remain flat in bed (not even a pillow) for 8 hours after the surgery. At that time I helped her ambulate. There was NO nursing care. The baby was made to go back to the nursery for 4 hours every morning. We never found out why. I would never reccommend this hospital.I could go on but this is getting rather lengthy. If you go to SCH, Good Luck, and make sure to bring someone to help take care of you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so sorry all that happened. I honestly would only give birth in five facilities in Korea. Rosa's, Mamas, GM Cheil, MediFlower, and Yeon and Nature.

      My first was born at Rosa's. My second was supposed to be a home birth but I had an emergency transfer to Pyeongtaek St Mary's. I was put completely under for an emergency C section. My husband wasn't allowed in. I was flat on my back for 13 hours. Baby was fine. Sugar water in the nursery. My husband finally held her after two days due to hospital policy. We left after 2.5 days. We got her our of the nursery but couldn't take her back. Once out she had to stay out.

      All this is standard for Korea. All I can do is recommend one of those five places or a home birth.

      I went to SCH for a bit. I had a missed miscarriage. Not only did they tell me the baby was fine when I knew dates were off, but they also had my medical records wrong by saying it was my first pregnancy. And I had taken my daughter with me to appointments.

      Delete
  13. Thanks for the informative blog! Really helps ;) Any news on the birthing centre in Jeju? We are moving there in August 2017 and I would possibly have my second baby there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would ask in the group Pregnant in Korea. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567164683422324

      Or contact Natasha Otto who is a doula down there. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=637796485

      As to traveling to Seoul, that's a personal decision. You'll have to visit different birthing centers and see which one is best for you.

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the info I will definitely contact her.

      Delete
  14. Hi Sharon,

    Can husband come into the room during the delivery process? So far, all of my friends's husbands were denied entry. I was shocked as my country has a different practice. I was wondering if you know of any hospitals or birthing centers that allow husband to accompany the wife when she's delivering.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All birthing centers should allow the father in. You need to ask where you are planning on giving birth. All hospitals have different policies.

      Delete
    2. That's good news and a bit of a relief. Thank you!

      Delete
  15. I have heard that Korean epidurals are not as effective at relieving pain as those in western countries. I have also heard that only "walking" epidurals are available here. Are either of those true? Are there hospitals that offer regular epidurals using a combination of anaesthetic and opioids?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Each hospital is different but yes, in general, the epidurals here are lighter. For my second I had a waking epidural. I was still able to move around. I didn't feel pain per se, but I knew when I had contractions due to pressure but it was effective for me. Afterwards I was kept flat on my back for 8 hours to decrease the risk of a headache.

      Keep in mind that all drugs will affect people differently. Size may matter as well. Koreans, in general are smaller than Westerns. Some people say that it's just not enough since they're not used to bigger people.

      Make sure you ask whether it's continuous or not. Some places will wait when it's done before hooking you up to more.

      There are also spinal blocks. I had that when I was prepped for an emergency C-section. They took me off the epidural and then gave me a spinal.

      I would definitely talk to your hospital and ask for details of the drugs they give you. Don't ask if they do walking or regular epidurals. Get the drug names. You can always switch places, even late in your pregnancy.

      Delete
  16. I recently moved to Suwon. I am 10 weeks pregnant with my 4th! I had a csection with my first and VBAC with my 2nd and 3rd. I was excited to find that there is a hospital here that specializes in VBAC! I have been reading a lot about pregnancy in Korea and have a few questions? Do most people go to a different clinic than they deliver at? How would the medical records get moved to the correct doctor? I speak no Korean. How can I figure out if there is a doctor or nurses at the hospital at speak English?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congrats on your pregnancy! It's up to you if you go to different places. I didn't have any issues. You'll just have to get your records and give them to the place where you deliver. The records can be in Korean. Big hospitals will have international centers. Small places won't but doctors often speak decent English. Nurses often don't.

      You can check their website. If they have an English version then chances are people there will speak English.

      Birthing centers might be the way to go for you. MediFlower, Yeon and Nature, GM Cheil are bigger ones. Rosa and Mamas are smaller ones.

      Check out Pregnant in Korea on FB as well.
      Good luck! If you have anymore questions just let me know!

      Delete
  17. Hi im on 7 months now january and i was still looking for a birth clinic near here in my place hwaseo station line 1 the next station is suwon..it is hard for me to find coz i dont know how to speak korean..any recommend clinic or hospital but in an affordable price for normal delivery..thank

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, have you checked out Agitanseun (aka Rosa)? It's usually around 3 mil for a birth with Rosa. I'm not sure what you mean by affordable, but in general, you often pay more for a natural birthing center.

      Delete
  18. Hi! Congrats! I suggest asking in this FB group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/pregnantinkorea/ Good luck. Let me know if you find any others so that I can add them to the list!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Sharon ..I'm living in itaewon now ,do you known which hospital with lower cost is under 1mil ? Especially I'm foreigners and I don't have any Korean insurance. .Can u help me recommend me hospital and my due date around last this month or first March.

    ReplyDelete

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