Delivering at Severance
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Information for Expecting Mothers
Congratulations on your recent pregnancy! We are happy to know that you are considering care at Severance Hospital and will do our best to make sure you are well informed and receive the best possible care throughout your pregnancy. The following is meant to assist expecting mothers with delivering a baby at our hospital.
When to schedule an appointment
First Prenatal Visit : If this is the first prenatal visit of your pregnancy, you should schedule your visit between six and eight weeks following the last day of your period. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, or have any uncertainties on when you conceived, please schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. It is advised to make appointments 1-2 weeks in advance.
Referred from another clinic : If you decide to deliver your baby at Severance Hospital but prefer to receive initial pre-natal care at a local clinic, please have your local clinic refer you to Severance Hospital no later than the beginning of the third trimester (24-26 weeks).
What tests are done at each appointment
See “Prenatal Visit and Testing” table below.
Average cesarean section length of stay vs. natural birth length of stay
The average length of stay for natural births is 2N/3D, and 5N/6D for births by cesarean section.
Can the father be there to cut the umbilical cord?
In cases of vaginal birth, the father is allowed to be in the room and cut the umbilical cord. However, such is not allowed in cases of cesarean section due to hospital regulations restricting from entering the operating theater.
Rooms
Labor, Delivery, Recovery (LRD) Rooms : For vaginal deliveries, mothers are admitted in an LRD room, which is located in the delivery room on the 6th floor of the Children’s Hospital. Family members can stay in the LRD throughout the entire delivery process.
General Room : After delivery, patients are admitted into a private room, which is located on the 13th floor of the main hospital. Private rooms are equipped with a refrigerator, TV, locker, bathroom with shower, and sofa that extends for a family member to sleep on at night. A welcome package with toothbrush/paste, soap, wash towel, slippers, shampoo/conditioner, is also provided for patients in the private room.
Prenatal Courses in Korea
There are select prenatal courses in English. Please speak with your doctor for available options.
Can baby stay with mother after delivery
If admitted in a private room on the maternity ward or in a VIP room, the baby can stay with the mother during the day, but should return to the nursery during the night.
Birth Certificate
Severance Hospital can issue birth certificates in English and Korean, which are mailed to your home address. Please inform the nursery nurse about how many copies and in which language you need.
Please also check with your Embassy and Immigration about how to register your birth in Korea and at home. We are happy to complete any required documentation upon request.
Other Delivery Options
- You can bring your own Douala
- You are free to move around during the inactive phase of delivery
- Oxytocin (contraction medicine) is given on a needed basis
- Epidural auaglesia is available
- Father and family can be present at all times (except in the operating theater)
- Photo/Video is allowed
- Baby can be placed on top of the mother immediately after birth
- Breast feeding at the time of birth is allowed
Prenatal Visit and Testing Table
| Gestational Age(wks) | Examination | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Initial visit After 6 weeks | CBC, urinalysis, serology, ABO typing, etc. |
BP and body weight every visit |
| Pap smear, vaginal culture, Chlamydia testing | Fetal heartbeat check up every visit | |
| Ultrasonography Prenatal vitamin |
||
| 10-14 | Ultrasonography for Nuchal translucency measurement | Visit monthly until the 28th week ; visit every 2-3 weeks during weeks 28 - 36 ; and visit every week between week 36 and the delivery. |
| 16-18 | Quad marker (blood test for Down Syndrome and spinal defect screening) | |
| Amniocentesis (if needed) | ||
| 20-24 | Targeted ultrasonography for fetal structural anomalies | |
| 24-28 | Diabetes screening test Hemoglobin check up |
|
| 28-30 | 3D fetal ultrasound for face, hands, feet pictures (upon request) | |
| 24-26 | Anti-D screening Rhogam shot for Rh- blood type mother |
|
| 32 | Delivery Room Tour | |
| 32-34 | Ultrasonography | |
| 35-36 | CBC, EKG, U/A, GBS screening | |
| 37 | Pelvic exam |
