Pregnancy and Childbirth in Thailand: What You Need to Know

Thailand has gained the image of a paradisiacal place for everything related to motherhood. It should be noted - quite reasonably. Pregnant women and children in this country are treated with love and joy. The tropical climate and sea have a beneficial effect on the body and mood. That is why on the plane, flying towards Thailand, you will see one or two pregnant women and a couple of families with babies.

Despite the remoteness and certain difficulties of a long flight, a lot of other difficulties associated primarily with household issues - to hold a pregnancy and childbirth in Thailand has become a popular practice among young families from European countries in recent decades.

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Is it worth getting pregnant in Thailand? It is appropriate to consider this question in three ways:

  • bonuses;
  • risks;
  • expenses.

Bonuses

  1. The very nature of this place is conducive to the birth of life, growth and development. The tropical climate is extremely saturated with energy created by the sun, wind, rain, thousands of species of plants, birds, insects and animals.
  2. A pregnant woman in Thailand is in the most natural conditions. Every day you can swim, which is very useful in this position. The purest sea air, sunshine, warmth and leisurely walks along the promenade in the company of similar pregnant women - all this puts you in the right frame of mind, gives positive emotions.
  3. There is no stress at all. No stress at all. Thailand is a place of harmony and smiles, where you want to enjoy life.
  4. There is no need to bother with clothes. First, you don't need much: just a summer closet. Secondly, it can be as simple as possible, but comfortable. In Thailand, it is not customary to dress up in brand clothes.
  5. It is noted that infants in Thailand are almost not capricious: they just feel good here.

Risks

Many people think that the main risk is a long flight. In fact, there is nothing extraordinary about the flight. Yes, it is long, with a change of time zones, often with transfers, but all this is quite bearable: the seats on the plane are comfortable, meals are provided, somewhere in Dubai you can stroll through the airport duty-free, buy something, and the time difference is only 4-5 hours. The main risks are on the other side of the world.

Acclimatization

It sounds trivial. Many will say that they do not feel acclimatization. Nevertheless, the body experiences an overload due to changes in environmental parameters: air temperature, humidity, a different microenvironment and, in addition, changes in diet. This is a great stress for the pregnant woman, especially in the first trimester, because during this period her body is still in the phase of general restructuring: there are toxicosis, hormonal changes, and lability of the immune system.

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No one can say for sure how such double stress may end at the beginning of pregnancy. However, gynecologists warn about the dangers of climate change during the initial adaptation of a pregnant woman.

Nutrition

One of the advantages of the southern country is the abundance of fresh and inexpensive fruits and vegetables. However, in the case of a pregnant woman, this advantage may turn out to be a risk not so much for her as for her unborn child. It is known that a pregnant woman in her diet should follow the usual pattern, i.e., eat what she was eating before pregnancy.

Foreign fruits, especially when they are available in large quantities, can cause allergic reactions in women and predispose to the development of allergies in the unborn child.

When it comes to food exotics, the main thing is to know the measure. And try to stick to the status quo in nutrition. The latter is not difficult: in areas where tourists live, sold almost all the familiar products we know. A common problem - milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, etc.: they simply do not exist. But lately this problem has been solved.

Diseases

Thailand is full of not only birds and butterflies, but also mosquitoes and various bacteria. The first carry Dengue fever. The latter can cause anything from respiratory to intestinal infections. Add to that the air conditioners running everywhere all the time, creating large fluctuations in temperature and drafts. But in general, all this is not so critical.

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Dengue fever is something similar to our flu that you can catch in your home country. Therefore: apply anti mosquito cream to exposed skin areas, wash your hands more often, drink only boiled water, eat only washed fruits and vegetables, heat treat food - following basic rules will keep you from getting sick on 100%.

Expenses

Pregnancy care is not covered by standard insurance. Therefore, you will have to pay for each visit to the clinic. It all depends on your finances and the level of service you expect.

As in many countries, there are two types of clinics in Thailand: public and private. In municipal (budget) clinics everything is much more modest and democratic, there are queues. There is no separate women's consultation: the gynecologist's office is in the general corridor - in the same place as the offices of other doctors. There are no lines at private clinics, and the interiors are cooler. But judging by the reviews of those who have given birth in Thailand, there is no difference in the quality of medical care. But the difference in the cost of medical services is noticeable.

The management of an uncomplicated pregnancy according to Thai rules includes monthly visits to the doctor, who each time performs an examination, makes an ultrasound, directs to the tests, prescribes vitamins. In the last month of pregnancy, the obstetrician-gynecologist is visited weekly.

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Each appointment at a community clinic costs from $10 + procedures, tests and medicines. On average, one visit is about $20. A total of about $150 for 5-6 months of follow-up. This is if everything goes on without complications, without the need to go to the hospital for preservation, etc. By the way, if there are any complications of pregnancy, they are recognized as an insured event and the expenses are covered by insurance. The delivery will take place at the same clinic where the gynecologist supervised the pregnant woman. It can happen that it will be the same doctor who supervised the pregnancy.

The birth itself in Thailand will cost about $150 (municipal clinic). Plus extra: hospital fee after delivery - a separate room where the whole family can stay ($40+ per day), vaccinations, medicines, procedures, food. All together - $300-400.

In private Thai clinics, it is 10 times more expensive. At the same time, they prefer to do a C-section even if there are no obvious indications. This means that only childbirth in Thailand will cost not $150, but $1500 (for caesarean section - $3000). Depending on the complexity of the case, the amount may increase 2-3 times. Monthly expenses (housing/products, etc.) - $1000 for two people. The prices are approximate, minimal average prices.

  • Getting pregnant in Thailand has more advantages. It is possible to give birth to a healthy and full-blooded child here without any problems.
  • All existing risks can be mitigated by following certain rules and basic sanitary and hygienic norms.
  • The budget option will not cost more than $10000 for 9 months, not including flights and visa costs.

Where is the best place to get pregnant and give birth in Thailand

Definitely in the cities. Islands (with the exception of Phuket) are out of the question, because the level of medical care in their clinics is not very high, the equipment is often outdated, and if anything - will still be taken to the clinic of the nearest large city.

In Chiang Mai, the medical services, judging by the reviews, are fine. In addition, housing and food are cheaper here. A significant disadvantage - the lack of the sea, but you can rent a house with a small pool for about the same money as an apartment near the sea. In general - who has what as a priority.

Bangkok has the best clinics. But the city itself is big, noisy, dusty, hot, with high housing and food prices. There is no sea. At the same time, if you have a car, the suburbs of Bangkok can be very nice.

In Pattaya, there are good clinics and a lot of Russian-speaking people. On the plus side, it's close to Bangkok. On the downside - a beach holiday in the classic sense is not very associated with Pattaya. Again - the suburbs may be a good alternative.

Rayong. Pluses - proximity to the center, you can save on rent.

Hua Hin is probably one of the best options. The resort area, prices are moderate, there is an airport near the city, relatively close to Bangkok.

Phuket is a great place to have a baby if you're willing to spend more than you would in Bangkok. Housing is expensive, so are groceries. There are two municipal clinics and several private clinics on the island. Medical services on the island are considered some of the best in Thailand. Mainly because of the large number of foreign patients.

Is it worth giving birth in Thailand

Giving birth in Thailand is extravagant, to say the least. Not every woman has such an opportunity. Today, many foreigners prefer to give birth in this country and are satisfied with both the management of the pregnancy and the quality of medical care during childbirth.

Thailand is an atmospheric place, with an extremely positive energy. Here, somehow, everything is simple, natural, without unnecessary stress. Problems remain far away, new acquaintances appear, Thais treat Farangs well. In general, the atmosphere is favorable.

It should be noted that a child born in Thailand does not automatically acquire Thai citizenship. Nevertheless, the Thai birth certificate will be relevant if, as an adult, he or she wishes to become a Thai citizen (the procedure for obtaining citizenship is the same for all foreigners).

What about the visa

Definitely get a tourist visa, single entry or multiple entry:

  • $40 - for 3 months with an uninterrupted stay of 30 days;
  • $200 - for 6 months with a continuous stay of 60 days.

The second option, of course, is more preferable. But even in this case, every 2 months you have to leave the country for any neighboring one: Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia. It is problematic for a pregnant woman to do such a boarder-run in one day, even by plane. That is why each such trip for two costs extra $300+, including the night in the hotel, visa to the neighboring country, travel, meals. Plus the same $300+ if you need to make a new visa to Thailand due to the end of the old one.

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Thus, the visa costs for two adults for a 9-month stay will be 200+200+300*3+40+40. The total is $1380. Keep in mind that a pregnant woman will need a medical certificate indicating the length of pregnancy in order to travel by air for a boarder visa. The rules prohibit airlines from transporting pregnant women late in their pregnancy (usually the last 1.5 months). Learn more about the rules at the offices of air carriers.

What language is spoken in Thai clinics

The nursing staff speaks Thai, but every clinic has several people who speak English and can act as interpreters. Doctors understand English. Some clinics, such as those in Bangkok, employ people from Russia who also often serve as interpreters.

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