Thai Wife Has Given Birth In Provincial Hospital

[Jim's_a_Thai_Fox]

Hi there,

My Thai wife has just given birth (by C-section) to our first son, William, at the local Thai hospital. The main reason for my post is to reassure potentially nervous 'western fathers' that the public sector Thai medical service is very capable and that I can wholly recommend it.

My Thai wife had her 30 Bhat card, and I splashed out 300 Bhat a night for a private room. My son had mild pneumonia and spent his first 4 days in the hospital's ICU getting enriched oxygen. He has fully recovered, and 7 days after the C-Section, all three of us came home today :-)

The OB was competent, the general nursing staff were extremely helpful, the ICU staff were great - and to boot, it was all free.

Now granted, nothing serious went wrong, but it was worrisome having the little lad in an incubator for 4 days, but basically, the whole thing went as well as could have been expected, so dads, don't fret, Thailand isn't some old fashioned backwater and I can wholly recommend putting your trust in the public sector health sector.

One tip - it is natural for 'us farang' to want to know everything that is going on and know about it as soon as it happens... don't ask too many questions and annoy the staff - they DO know what they're doing.

Good luck,

James

[JUDAS]

Congratulations Jim My wife refused the fancy private hospital and gave birth at the Govt hospital in Nathon, Koh Samui. The doc who delivered our daughter is, I believe, the same one who would have done it at Bangkok Samui at 10times the price!

[Jim's_a_Thai_Fox]

Yeah, it's strange. If we would have gone to the local private hospital, we would have had the same OB but the C-section would have cost me around 40k (and heaven knows the amount for 4 days in the ICU!!!)

[MikeyIdea]

Congratulations on your little son, welcome to the big and strange world, Little Will.

I totally agree with what you write. Government hospitals are perfectly OK. There are a few negative aspects I can mention;1) Waiting times 2) Father isn't allowed to join when mummy gives birth 3) Medicin is often of cheaper brands.

The Father isn't allowed to join when mummy gives birth is maybe not always followed any longer, were you allowed to join?

Good Luck James

Be a happy father