Prenatal Care Experiences and Resources in Korea

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Living in Korea and interested in prenatal care experiences and resources? This blog post shares data regarding the lived experiences of English-speaking residents with prenatal care while in South Korea. Additionally, it includes resources for those who need prenatal care support.

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About Prenatal Care

Prenatal care plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus. Regular prenatal visits allow healthcare providers to monitor the pregnancy and identify any potential problems before they become serious.

However, navigating prenatal care in a new country can be challenging. This blog post offers a few prenatal care resources in Korea based on location. This list is not exhaustive. As our SOS Public Health volunteers continue to research, more resources may be added.

Additionally, if you have useful information on prenatal care resources to add to this list, feel free to email [email protected] or message us on our Facebook page.

2022 SOS Public Health Maternal Health Research

In 2022, SOS Public Health conducted a maternal health research study to learn about the English-speaking international community’s access to maternal health resources in Korea. The 2022 SOS Public Health Maternal Health survey (SOS PHMHS) revealed that 100% of respondents sought prenatal care at some point during their pregnancy with the majority (70.4%) receiving care in their first trimester.

Additionally, respondents reported prenatal care as one of the easiest resources to access in Korea.

However, two top challenges that respondents reported regarding their access to maternal health resources included (1) language barrier and (2) cultural differences.

Language barriers and cultural differences can be a big challenge in accessing crucial information and resources during pregnancy. As such, our SOS Public Health volunteers took to social media to ask English-speaking mothers in Korea about their preferred prenatal care centers. Below is a list of community-recommended health centers which provide prenatal care support.

NOTE: Not all of the health centers listed below have English-speaking support. You may still need to utilize translation or interpretation services. The information below simply provides a list recommended by fellow community members who had positive experiences while using the services.

Korean Terms to Know

Knowing a few key maternal health terms in Korean may help navigating prenatal care a bit less stressful. Below are some terms you may see or hear in your search for prenatal care services.

• Gynecological Medicine/Gynecology: 부인과 의학 [boo-een-gwa eui-hahk]
• Obstetrics: 산과학 [sahn-gwa-hahk]
• Obstetrics & Gynecology (a.k.a. Maternity Clinic): 산부인과 [sahn-boo-een-gwa]
• Prenatal Care: 산전 [sahn-jeon]
• Prenatal Education: 태교 [tae-gyo]
• Pregnant: 임신 [eem-sheen]

Prenatal Care in Gimhae

Below currently lists one community-recommended prenatal service located in Gimhae.

Morning Calm Birthing Services

Morning Calm Birthing Services is a foreigner-owned registered childbirth service company based in Gimhae. They have full-time, certified doulas and childbirth educators who provide in-person and online prenatal care services.

Prenatal Care in Pyeongtaek

Below is a list of community-recommended prenatal services located in the Pyeongtaek area.

Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital

St. Mary’s Hospital is a general hospital located in Pyeongtaek. They offer an array of medical services including maternal health services. Additionally, St. Mary’s Hospital has an international clinic available for those who need English language support.

Yale Queens House

Yale Queens House is a birth center that offers prenatal checkups, prenatal birth defect screenings, and prenatal chromosome testing. Their website doesn’t have English translation so you may need to use the Google Translate plug-in or Papago to access information from their site.

Prenatal Care in Seoul

Below is a list of community-recommended prenatal services located in the Seoul area.

Cha Gangnam Medical Center

Cha Gangnam Medical Center is a university hospital located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. They have an international clinic to aid in English language support. According to their website, Cha Gangnam Medical Center also has English-speaking, doctors, nurses, and coordinators. This hospital is known for its OBGYN and fertility center.

Dr. Sung’s Clinic

Dr. Sung’s Clinic is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. This clinic provides prenatal check-ups, 3D ultrasounds, genetic testing, and prenatal classes.

Hatvit Women’s Hospital

Hatvit (English pronunciation: [haet-bit]) Women’s Hospital is located in Gangbok-gu, Seoul. Google Translate or Papago may be needed to navigate Hatvit Women’s Hospital’s website. This hospital offers an array of obstetric services.

Houm OBGYN & Birthing Center

Houm OBGYN & Birthing Center is located in Seocho-gu, Seoul. This center provides patient-centered care for women of all ages according to their website. They offers prenatal care services and have a prenatal care schedule break-down listed on their website in English.

ITOB

ITOB is located in Seocho-gu, Seoul. This clinic offers a comprehensive prenatal check-up. Google Translate or Papago may be needed to navigate their website.

Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital

Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. This hospital has an obstetrics and gynecology department which includes prenatal services. They also have an international clinic with English language services.

Yeon & Nature

Yeon & Nature is located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This clinic offers obstetrics and gynecology services which include pre-birth care. Their website lists information on how to contact their international manager, and they offer online counseling.

Naver or Kakao Map Search

If you need a location nearer to you, conducting a Naver or Kakao Map search for nearby obstetrics and gynecology centers may be your best option. Keep in mind, Naver or Kakao Map searches will only provide you with the nearest locations. Such locations may not have international clinics or English-speaking doctors and staff. However, resources (listed in the next section) are available to help you navigate language barriers.

To search for maternal health clinics, hospitals, and centers near you, copy and paste the following into Naver or Kakao Maps:

• Gynecological Medicine/Gynecology: 부인과 의학 [boo-een-gwa eui-hahk]
• Obstetrics: 산과학 [sahn-gwa-hahk]
• Obstetrics & Gynecology: 산부인과 [sahn-boo-een-gwa]
• Prenatal Care: 산전 [sahn-jeon]
• Prenatal Education: 태교 [tae-gyo]
• Pregnant: 임신 [eem-sheen]

Additional Resources

Below is a list of additional resources that may help you in your search for maternal health information and support.

National Health Insurance Services (NHIS)

For questions on prenatal care health insurance coverage, contact the NHIS directly. The NHIS has an English hotline. The NHIS may even be able to inform you of health centers or hospitals in your area that offer prenatal care services.

Language Support

Several language support options exist in Korea. Such resources include:

• Papago Translation App
• Google Translate
• BBB Korea
• 1330 Korea Travel Hotline
• Friends, Family, or Coworkers who speak Korean
• International Clinics – International clinics within University hospitals can assist with language support if needed during your visit to that hospital

Social Support

Many folks find that reaching out to others online who have had similar experiences in their prenatal care journey helpful. In the 2022 SOS PHMHS respondents reported that they utilized social groups most (84%) to find information on maternal health resources.

Here are a few Facebook Groups to join to ask about maternal health or general health in Korea:

• Expat Healthcare in Korea
• Expat Moms in Korea
• Health and Wellness in Korea
• Pregnant in Korea

Financial Support: The Happiness Card

With Korea’s low birthrate, the government is actively seeking ways to support families, including providing financial aid. The National Happiness Card (국민행복카드 [goong-min-haeng-bok-cah-deu]) is available to all expectant mothers, regardless of nationality, provided they contribute to the National Health Insurance system.

The amount offered on this card may vary from year to year, and can be utilized at hospitals and clinics for pregnancy-related appointments. Learn how to get a Happiness Card in Soul of Soul’s blog post: How To Get The National Happiness Card For Pregnant Women In Korea

Additional Reading

Check out the following blog posts to learn more about pregnancy and childbirth in Korea:

• Postpartum Care Experiences and Resources in Korea
• Childbirth Experiences and Resources in Korea
• Prenatal Care in Korea
• All About Pregnancy and Giving Birth in Korea
• Pregnancy and Giving Birth in South Korea
• Giving Birth in Korea
• What to Exect When You’re in Labor in Korea
• A Helpful Guide for Foreigner Couples Starting a Family in Korea
• Pregnant In Korea: The Superstitions, The Benefits, & So Much More!
• How To Get The National Happiness Card For Pregnant Women In Korea
• Secrets of the Korean Post-Natal Hotel: Postpartum Recovery In Korea

Follow SOS Public Health for More Resources

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on SOS Public Health Initiatives. If you have questions about healthcare in Korea, visit the Health and Wellness in Korea Facebook Group, or feel free to message SOS Public Health with any questions or concerns.

SOUTH OF SEOUL EDITORIAL INFORMATION

Article Information & History

Historical Record

Originally written by Lisa Peck, MPH, CPH

Originally published January 20, 2024

Article History

January 24, 2024 Article edited About 5% of the article changed

January 24, 2024 Article edited Less than 1% of the article changed

January 24, 2024 Article edited Less than 1% of the article changed

January 24, 2024 Article edited Less than 1% of the article changed

January 20, 2024 Article edited About 3% of the article changed

January 20, 2024 Originally published Written by Lisa Peck, MPH, CPH

No formal audit has been recorded for this article under the current South of Seoul editorial process.

Historical article: This article has not yet been formally audited under South of Seoul's current editorial process. It remains available as part of our publishing history and may contain information that has changed since publication.

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