Giving Birth In A Thai Hospital.

[Boo]

And you reckon that is less stressful on you and the child, then you amaze me ?

It wasn't stressful at all, why would it be, I had 9 months to prepare & my baby was genetically programmed to go through the process too,

I am not disagreeing that it is the mums right to chose I just don't agree that c-section is better for mum or baby, every health professional in the advanced world will advise a mum-to-be to try for a natural birth first & keep c-section for emergancy. If c-section was so easy or good for the bonding of baby & mum they why would they bother. If mum decides to have a c-section then that is up to her & should be, but you claimed that c-seciton is better for a baby & that just isn't true.

My son was born in the UK specifically because of this issue. I would rather not be cut open peruly to suit some doctors convenience or golfing schedule thanks

[coventry]

Whether an health professional advises on natural birth to C-section is irrelevant as there is a dramatic rise in C-sections in the world, America UK,Spain Taiwan are a few of them. In Brazil in some communities it's as high as 90%. This original post asked about births in Thai hospitals. I think it's appropriate to get back on track.

C-Section is the norm in Government hospitals in Thailand due to the monks deciding the day of the birth. I know of women, that having been told by the monk what day the baby's to be born on, they will self induce themselves to ensure this. They do this by taking unprescribed medication or doing physical harm to themselves.

[Bagwan]

My wife and I donated our previous bed to her younger sister when I bought one that was more comfortable for me. Too many beds sold in Thailand are like sleeping on the floor as far as I am concerned. Sis in law had previously been told by her doctors that because of problems with her naughty bits she could not conceive. Six weeks after we delivered the bed she telephoned to say that she was pregnant - and it was all my fault. The reasoning was that if we hadn't given them the bed, she wouldn't be expecting. My counter argument that her husband had been doing it all wrong didn't get past first base.

All went well with the pregnancy, the couple attending the local Government hospital regularly for checkups - and delivery. We dashed up to Lomsak to see the infant and on entering the hospital ward I was horrified. I thought maybe this was the Crimea and that I was Florence Nightgale in a previous life. The beds were no more that 18 inches apart and there were anything from 2 to 10 visitors at each bedside. There was a considerable amount of noise generated by the visitors and the air conditioning seems to be unable to cope. The nursing staff seemed to be demotivated even uncaring.

Being a farang I was the centre of attraction particularly when I began to take photographs. A couple of nurses got into the act too. Later sis in law said that after our visit the doctor and nurses were most solicitous and the food improved too, she often being served first. I was told it was because of my visit. They explained. You are farang with big money. They know that you will pay the hospital bill. I become VIP.

The cost was about 5K if I remember correctly. I have been asked to arrange for another baby in about two years time!

[coventry]

Government hospitals are free. 5K for what ? 3 nights private room 1,800 Baht inc food etc.

Edited September 6, 2008 by coventry

[Bagwan]

Government hospitals are free. 5K for what ? 3 nights private room 1,800 Baht inc food etc.

The rules might say that but I am dealing with reality. My wife confirms that she went with the new father and personally paid the money to the cashier at the hospital. As indicated in my post, no private room.

BTW a farang friend took his Thai wife to the Navy Hospital at Sattahip. Would that be free also? If so I shall encourage him to ask for a refund of the 1500 baht he paid for a consultation and a few mild antibiotic tablets.

[coventry]

Government hospitals are free. 5K for what ? 3 nights private room 1,800 Baht inc food etc.

The rules might say that but I am dealing with reality. My wife confirms that she went with the new father and personally paid the money to the cashier at the hospital. As indicated in my post, no private room.

BTW a farang friend took his Thai wife to the Navy Hospital at Sattahip. Would that be free also? If so I shall encourage him to ask for a refund of the 1500 baht he paid for a consultation and a few mild antibiotic tablets.

In reality Government hospitals are free. Anyone will tell you this. Your "dealing with reality" is dealing with misinformation. If you paid 5,000 Baht then you've been scammed. Your wife knows they are free so why would she pay this money and to whom ?If she paid it at all.

My daughter was born in a Government hospital in Nov '07, no charge. Only charged for private room at 600 Baht per night. She's just come out of hospital today after 4 nights with a fever. No charge except for private room at 600 baht per night. I'd have a word with your missus and ask to see the receipt. No offence but you've been done.

As for the Navy Hospital then I cannot quote as to it being private or Government as I've never been in it. But it sounds like it's private as a consultaion for a farang at a government hospital is about 150 Baht, with antibiotics included about 300 Baht tops. I live way out in the sticks and only use goverment hospitals.

Edited September 7, 2008 by coventry

[wangsuda]

I have had 2 experiences in Thai hospitals. The first doctor acted like it was his first day. He examined me with a torch that did not work. He shook it and carried on. It still did not work.

The 2nd was a family member being given so many anti-biotics that his body was unable to repair itself.

Now my other half is looking for a hospital to give birth in. I shudder to think that they may be of the same calibre.

Where should we be looking?

Thanks

D.

My wife gave birth to our son at Chulalongkorn Hospital in BKK (a government/public hospital). We had a superb private room and four days of treatment for about 12000 baht. This was two and a half years ago. Their post natal care programs are great, with low cost vaccines and free baby formula for one year. I recommend them and will go back again. The only thing my wife and I did not like was heir food. She was always sending me out to S&P for meals!

[chiangmaibruce]

My missus had our son at a hospital here in CNX (Special Medical Service - a private wing of a teaching hospital). We could not fault the service - or value for money. Would not hesitate to do the same thing again (as long as I get to miss out on the pain again!) She had a natural birth but were almost looking at C-section if the baby had held on any longer. We were not pressured one way or the other.

With the natural vs C-section discussion in this thread I was surprised not to see mention of an obvious fact. The average height and weight of an Aussie baby (in our case) is substantially greater than for an average Thai baby - for which a Thai woman's body is tailor-made.

Re: the (presumably) farang female mod that said natural birth was a breeze (and I am assuming here that you are married to a Thai guy) - well a Thai size baby down a farang size whats-it or vice versa - which do you think would be easier?

[Boo]

Re: the (presumably) farang female mod that said natural birth was a breeze (and I am assuming here that you are married to a Thai guy) - well a Thai size baby down a farang size whats-it or vice versa - which do you think would be easier?

Oh my, seriously??

there is no standard fit for thai/farang babies, my son was 7 lb 10 oz & average height, I know thai women who have managed to have natural birth with much larger & longer babies (of thai-thai parentange) & some who have not managed it with 5lb, short babies (with farang fathers). Also I never said it was a breeze, it is called labour for a reason. I said I didn't find it stressful as I was prepared & it is what our bodies are designed to do when pregnant, I mean they have been coming out that way for thousands of years .

But for the record, if you read my first post here, my comment was never about what was better but rather to refute coventrys claim that c-section was better & less stressful, it may have suited his wife but is not the best option for every women & baby.

[coventry]

D.

My wife gave birth to our son at Chulalongkorn Hospital in BKK (a government/public hospital). We had a superb private room and four days of treatment for about 12000 baht. This was two and a half years ago. Their post natal care programs are great, with low cost vaccines and free baby formula for one year. I recommend them and will go back again. The only thing my wife and I did not like was heir food. She was always sending me out to S&P for meals!

First of all Thais have a medical card issued so that they can use it at any government hospital within their given area. If they move house they need to get the card changed. Not doing so and then trying to use it outside of the original area they will not be treated free. Same goes in that if you don't think your local government hospital is upto scratch and you decide that the government hopspital in Bkk is better then a Thai will be charged. This is because they have hospital and doctors in their designated areas and it encourages them to use them.

Edited September 8, 2008 by coventry

[frangipani]

Hi,

Any one had any experience with giving birth at hospital in Krabi or Hat Yai?? My boyfriend is Thai and from Satun and we currently live in Ko Lanta, Krabi so we are looking at either of these locations.

Also have people had there pre natal care ta the hospital also or with local midwife?

Appreciate any good advise and first baby for us

[Deelectro]

Did your friend give any report on the Navy Hospital? We have been planning to use it for our upcoming new arrival as we live in the area, but sometimes have concerns about the Gov't versus private hospital question. Does anyone have any anecdotal pros or cons about the treatment from the hospitals in the Pattaya Sattahip area?

"BTW a farang friend took his Thai wife to the Navy Hospital at Sattahip.... "

[yeti]

My wife is 25 weeks+. We are currently visiting Vichaiyut on Rama 6 and have been extremely satisfied with the standard of care of professionalism of the doctors and nursing staff.

Absolutely first rate service and reasonably priced to boot!

My wife gave birth there nearly a year ago, and we were very happy with the care we received.

The only drawback is that most nurses don't speak English, so when it took longer than planned for my wife and baby to come back (it was a planned C section) nobody could explain me why.

But that is a very minor drawback, and the only one during the 5 days we spent there.

Edited February 12, 2009 by yeti

[peregrine8]

Hello All,

I have had 5 natural births with no problems but of course it was not easy and it was painful. The last 2 I had at home with a midwife. It was so much better then in the hospital, even without medication. My midwife used different pressure point on my thighs to control the pain with each contraction.

Anyway I was wondering if they have midwives here that will do home deliveries? How would I go about finding one?

I am not saying that natural child birth is for everyone. It works for us.

Peregrine8

[technocracy]

Well I'll just add my 25 satangs worth here and I'll first make it clear of my thoughts:

Avoid AEK Udon hospital like the plague - absolutely no idea in either pre or post natal care.

It's a long story but lets just say without me making the decision for my wife to have an emergency C-Section I would have lost either or possibly both my wife and baby.

Completely clueless and hapless and to add insult to injury insufficient amounts of medication provided post birth causing infection.

Will NEVER set foot in that hospital EVER AGAIN - if AEK Udon is near to you and is a hospital you are considering please PM me and I'll give you the full story.

[torrenova]

........... on entering the hospital ward I was horrified. I thought maybe this was the Crimea and that I was Florence Nightgale in a previous life. The beds were no more that 18 inches apart and there were anything from 2 to 10 visitors at each bedside. There was a considerable amount of noise generated by the visitors and the air conditioning seems to be unable to cope. The nursing staff seemed to be demotivated even uncaring.

I experienced exactly this in Banglamung Hospital in Pattaya. No way would I have a child there. I would not have let my dog give birth there.

As for 2 c sections I am privy to. My missus has a scar below her bikini line, I was there for the birth and the cut seemed small. Her friend recently had a c section at a Buriram government hospital and had a horrible vertical c section. I asked her why and she did not know.

Does anyone know why hospitals and doctors mutilate women like this with vertical incisions ?