Birth Questions

[Canteloupe]

Hi everyone, 

 

I live in Pattaya and am interested in others experiences about places/ doctors that promote a natural birth in the Chon Buri province. This could include Samitivej Chon buri, Samitivej Sri Racha, Bangkok Pattaya, Pattaya Memorial etc.. also, if any have facilities such as birthing pools, gas and air and if needed an epidural. 

 

I am also interested to hear if anyone tried for a natural birth in one of the above hospitals and actually got one!

 

Thank you

[Sheryl]

The only place I know of in Thailand that does water births is Samitivej in Bangkok.  Won't be available at either Samitivej Sri racha or Samitivej Chonburi nor AFAIK anywhere else in Pattaya area. If it is important to you to have a water birth -- or just in general to have the most natural birth possible with all that entails (birthing suits, rooming-in etc) then consider staying in Bangkok near your due date to deliver at Samitivej Sukhumvit in which case one of these 3 doctors: Dr Yaowaluk Rapeepattana (female) , Dr. Nisarat Kasatri (female) and Dr. Sankiat Vayakornvichit (male) are recommended.

 

If you are OK just to have normal vaginal delivery without any of the rest, then the key thing is to have a doctor who is (1) supportive of it and (2) if it is a private hospital, works fulltime  there --  because many of the doctors will also be working at a government hospital during normal working hours and this may result in them not being able to do the actual delivery, in which case whatever you agreed with them may not hold.

 

Epidural is available in all but the smallest hospitals, no worry there but you are quite right to fear being pushed to have c-section. Private hospitals in Thailand do tend to push c-section very hard. (no pun intended!)

 

Actually the best way to avoid that is to deliver at a government hospital and you might like to check out the new Pattaya City Hospital.   http://www.pattayacityhospital.go.th/en/services

I can't recommend a specific doctor there though. It is a new facility and haven't had any reports on their OB services yet.

 

Otherwise if you want to deliver at a private hospital best I can suggest is to make the rounds and "interview" doctors at the following hospitals to find one who is both supportive of natural birth and fulltime at that hospital (or else has an arrangement with a like-minded colleague such that can assure that they personally will do the delivery):

Samitivej Sri Racha, Samitivej Chonburi and Phyathai Sri Racha.

 

 [email protected] an expat at Phyathai Sri Racha, can email and  ask him if he can recommend anyone there speciifcially for natural birth. You can also try emailing the 2 Samitivej branches but less sure you will get clear response.

 

Even if you opt for delivery in Bangkok (and if you want the best natural experience, Samitivej Bangkok is definitely where to go) you should also have a back up plan for a closer facility in case labor starts early.

 

You don't mention money but be forewarned that the affordability of delivery packages is not reflective of overall affordability and unless you are very well insured,  could be faced with astronomical bills (i.e. several million baht) should there be complications, especially if the baby requires NICU care.