First Baby On The Way, Help!

[bkk2323]

Hi all

My GF is pregnant and I'm completly lost as to what to do, for the first time I can remember i'm not sure about where and what I'm doing, so any advise or tips would be geatly appreciated, if you've been in this position you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

So far I've looked at a few hospitals, St Louis and Chao Phaya, another topic I read suggested having the hospital close to home, Bangkok traffic could ruin the best organised plans of getting to the hospital on time, as we live near Chitlom St Loius is possibly the closest. I eould like Bangkok Hospital or Bunrumgrad but theyre just too expensive.

I'm Australian and my GF is Thai, I would like the baby to have dual citizenship, how long does it ake to get the baby included on my passport and the cost, also can I get Australian citizenship for the baby in Thailand, or does it automatically qualify as I'm australian.

AS I said, ANY tips would be greatly appreciated, I don't speak Thai so it make sit all the more difficult when we go to the hospitals. I'm not quite ready for thye nappy discussion I read recently although it made me stop and wonder what I'm in for, although it looks like an amazing experience.

Please excuse my typo's, I've had an index finger operation last wek and it's made my bad tping even worse. The op was at Chao Phaya and they were fantastic.

Ok guys, I'm ready for the bad and the good.

Regards

Mr Lost!!

[kurnell]

My 2 kids were born at Praram 9 and Samitivej Srinakarin. They were both fine, though the latter was better. Total cost for natural birth was about 55k. As an Aussie, your kids qualify for citizen by descent.

My mate's kid was born at Police Hospital for about 8k

[MikeyIdea]

My GF is pregnant and I'm completly lost

That's normal, just remember that it is a more difficult period for your girl friend than it is for you so be supportive. I recommend to have more open communication than you normally do (and keep it that way, open communication is always good for a relationship) but choose the time to have it more carefully than normally. The gf is under more pressure than you are so she deserves that you choose your timing. With this I don't mean that you should accept everything, there are limits also for pregnant women, just choose your time. Nature made pregnant animals more agressive so that they can better protect their offsprings, the same apply for humans...

Don't worry about the little baby, she is not made of glass and you will do fine. Especially the grand mother but also the mother will think that you do everything wrong, that's normal. Don't hesitate to get into the habit of helping to take care of the child and change diapers already the first few days, regardless of what they show. That is your right but the grand mother will dislike that you interfere with her child. Not a bad idea to politely let her know, just by ignoring her small attempts..., that you don't buy it. The mother will not like it either in the beginning but she will soon change to appreciate it instead, another good reason why you should do it.

I don't understand why people choose such expensive hospitals for the most common condition in the world. It is totally unnecessary and is only a measurement of the mother- and father-to-be's insecurity than of a real need, unless money is in abundance of course. My wife gave birth (natural) at Latprao hospital for less than 30,000 bath (maybe 35,0000 now) and it was excellent service and the doctor spoke good English too, not that he needed to as the only common language in my family is Thai. 2 girls at the office gave birth at Bangkok Christian on Silom Rd, both for around 40,000 bath total cost, good hospital.

Government hospitals in Thailand are perfectly OK knowledgewise BUT! waiting times can be very long. The mother does get tired building a baby inside her body so perhaps we should help her to avoid that if we can

In regards to custody, I wouldn't worry about the Australian part, easy. Note that according to Thai law, you have neither rights to your child nor any obligations until you have legitimized the child. Do take this issue to juvenile court within the first year after birth. It is only a formality if the mother agrees and you won't see a judge so there is no need to choose an expensive English speaking lawyer. You will automatically legitimize the child if you register the marriage with the mother

You will probably find that Thai women tend to throw up and have a harder time than western women during pregnancy, I have no idea why.. and the grand mother will want the mother to eat and drink weird stuff that probably won't help really but probably won't hurt either. Once the child is born, then the Thai grand mother show her real talent and excel at ignoring professional advice and common knowledge (in the western world since 40 years back and in Thailand 20 years back) that actually removes the root cause and push the mother to use old work arounds that at best helps to mask the symptoms instead. We should consider that what the grand mother does, she does out of love, and that actually, neither the child nor the mother will die from it. It is just so unnecessary, but then, there are so many things that Thai do when they are pregnant and with young babies that are only that. Perhaps letting them do all or most of all these unnecessary things is best, it is certainly not worth it to create long term problems

Congratulations and Good Luck. You are entering the happiest and also most demanding part of your life

All the Best

Michael

Edited April 8, 2010 by MikeyIdea

[Mario2008]

After registering the birth in at the amphur in thailand, just register the birth of the child with the Australian embassy. They will guide you to the process for the passport. There is no problem with holding dual nationality for either country.

[bkkjames]

Well, I got excited with the news of ours, then as the months wore on started to prepare a few things. Mrs used Rama 9 hospital during pregnancy and birth, no complaints.

Real stress didn't kick in until her water broke!

First couple of months after birth a bit un-nerving trying to come to grips with everything. Give your mrs plenty to read in advance so she knows what to expect.

Be supportive of her during the pregnancy but lead a normal life as possible.

Don't buy the world yet for the kid, lots of time after birth.

and most of all...enjoy the entire experience the good, bad and ugly. memories like this can't be bought.