We are debating which hospital we should choose to have our baby delivered (we live in Pattaya) and would be grateful from any fathers out there who can shed some light on what questions to ask. We are happy with our doctor but he works from a number of places and we are finding it hard to evaluate them as they seem almost the same ?

What should we look for in a hospital ?

What about the pressure for caesarian ? We would like the baby to be born naturally if at all possible but we are aware of pressure being applied to accept a caesarian when there is no danger to the mother or baby only pressure on time and on the “profit” which can be made from a birth.

What questions should we ask and when ?

What should we prepare “in the bag” which we grab when we have to go to the hospital ?

What will the mother need in hospital both before birth and afterwards before discharge ?

What about epidurals ? Good / bad / indifferent ? Necessary ?

Why cannot you get a written price structure from hospitals ? They give vague answers then add on “potential” extras.

Please throw up your questions as well as your answers, comments and opinions. First time parents here need all the help we can get.

We are debating which hospital we should choose to have our baby delivered (we live in Pattaya) and would be grateful from any fathers out there who can shed some light on what questions to ask. We are happy with our doctor but he works from a number of places and we are finding it hard to evaluate them as they seem almost the same ?

What should we look for in a hospital ?

What about the pressure for caesarian ? We would like the baby to be born naturally if at all possible but we are aware of pressure being applied to accept a caesarian when there is no danger to the mother or baby only pressure on time and on the "profit" which can be made from a birth.

What questions should we ask and when ?

What should we prepare "in the bag" which we grab when we have to go to the hospital ?

What will the mother need in hospital both before birth and afterwards before discharge ?

What about epidurals ? Good / bad / indifferent ? Necessary ?

Why cannot you get a written price structure from hospitals ? They give vague answers then add on "potential" extras.

Please throw up your questions as well as your answers, comments and opinions. First time parents here need all the help we can get.

Sounds like you need to change doctors - and fast! All the questions you are asking should and will be answered by a good Thai Obstetrician. My baby was born here in Chiang Mai Ram #1 with the help of an excellent Thai female doctor - 26 hours of manageable natural labour (no drugs) went horribly wrong at the end (uterine rupture) and I then I needed an emergency "C" section - we had about 2 minutes to decide as we were both in serious danger. In the end, the whole week in hospital plus surgery plus a famly suite cost less than 40,000 baht. You also don't mention if the woman giving birth is farang or Thai - the expectations of what is "needed", questions etc tend to vary dramatically. Can only suggest you shop around for a new doctor/hospital and ask all your questions now - these kind of questions need firm, 100% correct answers and not stories about someone's wife's sister. Best of luck - you are on one of the most amazing and challenging journeys you will ever undertake!

We are debating which hospital we should choose to have our baby delivered (we live in Pattaya) and would be grateful from any fathers out there who can shed some light on what questions to ask. We are happy with our doctor but he works from a number of places and we are finding it hard to evaluate them as they seem almost the same ?

What should we look for in a hospital ?

What about the pressure for caesarian ? We would like the baby to be born naturally if at all possible but we are aware of pressure being applied to accept a caesarian when there is no danger to the mother or baby only pressure on time and on the "profit" which can be made from a birth.

What questions should we ask and when ?

What should we prepare "in the bag" which we grab when we have to go to the hospital ?

What will the mother need in hospital both before birth and afterwards before discharge ?

What about epidurals ? Good / bad / indifferent ? Necessary ?

Why cannot you get a written price structure from hospitals ? They give vague answers then add on "potential" extras.

Please throw up your questions as well as your answers, comments and opinions. First time parents here need all the help we can get.

Hi not sure if you are planning on staying in Pattaya or coming to Bangkok to have the baby. I had my baby in Samitivej Sukhumvit. It was a great experience. I had a natural birth and found the doctors and nurses were great. The facilities there are really good. very nice birthing rooms etc. Probably not one of the cheapest places to have a baby but worth the money. Dr Sankiat was my obstetrician and I would highly recommend him. We are now getting ready for the arrival of baby number two and have no hesitations about using Samitivej again.

As for hospital bag etc, dont need to take too much with you. An outfit for the baby when coming home and one for your wife. And dont forget her bump will have gone down a little by the time she comes out of hospital so something a bit smaller than she wore when she went in. Then some bedclothes as much nicer than wearing the hospital gowns. A few bits to make her feel at home in the hospital room is always nice too.

All the best for the big day. Hope this helps a little.

My daughter was born in BKK at the Bumrungrad even though we also live in Pattaya. IMO the Bumrungrad is the best, awesome doctors and nursing staff, they have set packages for natural and c-section birth and if I have to do it all again, I wouldn't do anything differently second time round. Heres the link to a very recent discussion about hospitals and prices.

You can also do a search on the forum. Here's a link to the results of a "Bumrungrad births" search to get you started

Good luck to you and your wife, and hope you find the hospital and doctor that you are very happy with.

Di