Bubble

I have not written in quite some time and that is unacceptable because Justin and I have received some amazing and very unexpected news. We are expecting a baby! May 4th is the estimated arrival date of our little boy or girl. We have made the decision to stay in Korea as opposed to going home and that has not been an easy decision.

While I miss my friends and family and want them to be able to be as involved in this as possible, the economy in the States is horrible right now and I am not even finished with college yet. We could not possibly make the decision to leave our affordable health care, steady income, and stable living situation to go home to none of those things simply to be with family. It would be the most irresponsible decision we could make as parents. So we have taken the plunge and begun the journey of having a baby in a foreign country.

There are many positives to this decision but also many challenges. Most of the challenges come in the face of cultural differences and then paperwork after the baby comes. A nice perk of having a baby here is the cost and level of care. From what I understand Koreans have had trouble conceiving and carrying to term in the past, so prenatal care is extremely thorough and while sometimes overly cautious, it is nice to know they are always better safe than sorry. We get an ultrasound every visit and so far we have been 3 times and I am only 7 weeks along. It is so cool to watch the development even at this early stage. We were able to find a doctor that speaks English and even spent time in the States during her education which is comforting for us.

Another perk is the cost. It will cost us less to have a baby here without insurance than it would with insurance back home. Which says something about the growing problems we have in our country. For a normal birth we will pay a flat rate for the entire process. The delivery and 3-4 days in the hospital will be $1500.00. Of course back home you are billed separately for the delivery and hospital stay and that usually involves paying 20% coinsurance. Of course military personnel is exempt from this in normal circumstances. Our visits will usually run 20-30 dollars and that includes ultrasounds. Blood work is a little more expensive but still nothing compared to what it costs back home.

Some of the challenges come later. My doctor during my pregnancy is not the doctor that delivers my baby. There is a set rotation of delivery doctors there at all times and my OBGYN is not one of them. She strictly does prenatal care. I was upset when I heard this because that would mean a total stranger is going to be delivering my baby as opposed to the woman who I have gotten comfortable with over the past ten months. I have been told I can request to visit the labor and delivery floor to meet the doctors which helps a little. Also typically they take the baby to the nursery immediately and the baby stays there except for feedings. So we would not get to spend very much time with the baby for the first 3-4 days. I am told it is because the mother needs to rest. I would prefer my baby stay in the room with us most of the time. I was reassured by another foreigner here who had a baby and I can request the baby stay with us.

There are many other little cultural differences about pregnancy that have been interesting but I am trying to keep an open mind about being here for this. I miss my friends and family desperately but at least our parents will visit when the baby comes. In the meantime I promise to write as often as possible about our experience to keep our friends and family updated. :)