Giving birth in Udon, any advise where is best

[seymourbutts]

Well thats sorted now i need a supply of good cigars for the october night market meeting!!!! Any suggestions?? maybe a few takers if someone has a supplier!!!!

[steadyjohn]

My daughther was born in AEK about 14months ago, my wife had a C-section and with a private room the price was around 30K
AEK has a discount card you can buy for 600baht (I think), which will save you a few thousand.

1010
Johnny

[Irish Alan]

Just to add my congratulations to all the expectant parents out there. A little request for you all. Hot Chocolate

[seymourbutts]

Thanks IA, what a nice thought.... And wow that takes me back!!!!! i thought it was going to be "i believe in miracles" but then this one is really nice.... oh those days when songs had lyrics you could actually understand and real music!!!!! Yes i'm getting old!

[seymourbutts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkaZH9IvPuk

This one does it for me so bad!!! it was our wedding song and on the dvd, now when i think of our little miracle it gets me bad!!!
also my dad was an opera singer (soprano) he used to sing dany boy so so beautifully, now weve pre-named our baby Daniel so this gets me too.... oh how soppy!!! i know but in this life anything that makes you happy and feel good is worth holding on to.... i spent too long miserable to worry about spilling my guts out on here!!! thanks again IA... you made my day!

[GEC]

How lovely was that and not soppy at all.... so what anyway!
Enjoy reading this thread and looking forward to all these babies arriving in the next few months ( )
Maybe we can see the end results and you will post your baby photo's too
'Congratulations' and good luck to you all. =D>
PS. Love Casper's little 'un (avatar)
Glen

[tamada]

Only had the one (although the wife is all broody again!) about 16 months ago at AEK Udon. I can only commend the Obs Gyn chap we had there as NOT ONCE during the run-up did he even mention the dreaded c-section. This was reassuring to both me and my wee wife as it was her first and she was getting huge. Right up to the last minute, it was never discussed as an option and the little (the wife disagrees) blighter popped out after 15 only minutes of labour and on the 3rd push! Result!!! Home with son on the 3rd day after the big event. Can't recall the total bill but it wasn't ever a cost issue with us.

The post-natal follow up from AEK is also very thorough and he is current with his innoculations and whatnot. He has a wee 'log book' that details his progress and shot records which is handy as the wife has a very unique filing system at home which seems largely based on the colour of the paper.

PS. The wife would dearly want an ickle girl for #2 but is dreading that she may have another holy terror instead so any methods and locations (and positions) that can guarantee an x,x chromosome tie-up will be much appreciated... as long as it's not over the meat freezer at Tesco's again.

[seymourbutts]

Well thanks everyone for the advise, we went to Panyavej this afternoon, and they were great. The doctor is from Bumrungrad and seems like he knows what hes doing.. The price, well as much as you wan t to pay really, but basic package of 28k and 38 with section.. Then you can add on vip room single room etc etc if you wish... Pick luckily pays her stamp so she gets the package for 11800 or 18k with section... so we can pay the extra for a suite at about 3500 for the duration so good afternoons leg work!!!

[BobHelm]

I have just spoken to my friend whose wife had a baby in the military hospital.
She had to have a C section but as she had been paying a stamp the Government covered the complete cost for all the medical care. In fact I believe she was in their for 5 days and all they ended up paying was about 2,000 baht to cover the extra for the private room...

[seymourbutts]

well Bob, my wifes mother is convinced she is going to die if they allow her to have a natural birth!!!!! as its a farang baby!!!! so im going with the flow i think, i will wait for her next anti-natal and if its any where near looking like its going to be in the slightest bit big i will allow her the c section i think now... if you knew pick you would know she is only small.... shes scared sh!tless so i gotta cave in i think

[BobHelm]

ha,ha You do what is right SMB - it is your wife & you should absolutely be guided by the medical profession.
Incidentally, another friend of mine is having a baby - at the military hospital. She was pretty adamant that she wants a C. It is due in a couple of weeks (so any minute now ) & she went to see her doctor today to see how things were going. She mentioned to him that she wanted a C - he said, no need, baby might be Falang, but is small - you will give a natural birth, no issues....Same as a doctor in UK he said if the worst comes to the worst we are prepared, otherwise natural......After so much rubbish you hear about Thailand it is nice to know that some professionals have the sort of standards that are welcomed anywhere....

[seymourbutts]

its all hocus pocus!!!! he is due on 7th october which is a Thursday, however if he is born on a wednesday afternoon he wont be a lazy boy!!!! So i think this is whats driving the c section idea!!!!! Women aye!! You cant live with them and you cant live with them.... i think the doc understands and wont section her unless absolutely necessary!!! i hope!!!

[wazza]

To all sorry for the delay in posting, been enjoying the delights of Krabi , staying at a nice resort.

There are many issues posted all which have some cred etc. What i would be careful with , is the comments that the actual patients are saying the medical staff etc are all good . How do u know that something went wrong and wasnt reported etc.... Or they even gave me 2 midwives !! I was so lucky, - not really , she first was doing her 7th delivery under supervision.

In the delivery of a baby, all safe deliveries are all good ! just ask Mum, BUT what if the labour is extended, complicated , and Mum or the Bub require resuscitation, of a need to abort the natural delivery for a C Section at 0300 on a Sat night.

Some posters has correctly identified that Expat fathers tend to produce larger bubs ! FACT and a C Section is a real possibility.

Child Birth is a natural process, being going on for a while apparently.

For me , knowing the inside of hospitals and not just the fancy stunning receptionists consider the following:

If your partner will be having a C Section then the most important person is the Gas man, who will be knocking her out., or an Epidural etc

Next the Paediatric Consultant who is handed this 3 kg wet slippery package called a baby who isnt quiet moving yet.

Neonatal ICU needs to be there ,

To go from a natural delivery with probably a Midwife and junior resident Doctor in Slips to take the catch in a public system , to an emergency C Section. takes time . Does your hospital realistically have all that on standby - NO , the brochure says yes. To get the consultants , theatre staff , all ready is 1.5 hours minimum.

I have seen a proplapsed cord baby die, coz 2 Anaethetists were called, BUT no Obstetrician and the baby didnt get out in time . I thought u rang him etc.... No i rang the Gass man on call .....

To go the private sector costs money but more personel care.

Most deliveries are normal and no complications, but the horror birth of an obstructed breech, lack of O2 and a life long side effects are worth the 15000 Baht u saved.

Public systems world wide are all under funded, lacking rescources etc and Thailand is no different.

The birth of your child is a wonderful event and should never have cost cutting !

But im sure the father when looking at that new pickup , will make the decision to get the CD player and surround sound included in the accessories for the new car, but teeruk its only 15000 more ! BUT u not pay that for our new baby !

I wont recomend any particular hospital in Udon , as I have not experienced first hand their maternity services, but ask them the questions above and scratch the service, ask where do the consultants live and what travel times are involved after hours, remember the consulant may also be at another hospital for another patient.

All the best Mr Butts and others, and I hope my honest summary assists,

Your Head Nurse

[Fy 1810]

=D> =D> good post , honest , factual , and to the point . im pretty sure that will cause a rethink for any expectant cheap charlies out there !! as it rightly should .

[lee]

Good advise there Wazza. I'm sure many people wouldn't think about things like that, a hospitals a hospital as far as most people are concerned.

So if you were to ask the above questions at your chosen hospital, do you think you would get straight answers? And how would you know they're telling the truth or not? The private hospitals are businesses after all and will (possibly) tell you what you want to hear to get your business.

Going off topic slightly, I was admitted to Panyavet Hospital a couple of years back for a stomach infection which I'd had for several weeks, they gave me a penicillin injection without asking me if I was allergic or not, turns out I was and they had to give me another injection to counteract its affects. Not very professional IMO. I checked out the next day after paying 11,000 in medical expenses and I was still sick. In the end I diagnosed my self and asked to be treated for Giardia at Aek Udon. They gave me an injection and I was in and out in an hour, and recovered 2 days later. So after that experience I do not know what to make of the local hospitals. Paying a higher price doesn't always mean the level of service will be more professional IMO.

I wonder if accurate stats are available at hospitals i.e. successful/unsuccessful birth rates etc.

[seymourbutts]

thanks wazza, i will be asking some pointed questions on te 8th of sep, however i know and probably you know they are going to tell me exactly what i want to hear!!!! Time will tell i'm sure... but6 thanks again ...


Regards dave