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| Classification | Reason for test | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Rubella | Can cause malformation on the baby when infected in the beginning of pregnancy | If the mother is not immune, at least one vaccination of rubella (MMR*) is required Recommended to wait 3 months after vaccination |
| Hepatitis B | When mother is infected with hepatitis B, an infant is likely to be infected at birth |
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* MMR: Mixed vaccine for measles, epidemic mumps, and rubella
** Even if you had been vaccinated before, another vaccination is required when the antibody test is negative. Total number of vaccination cannot be more than 3.
Checkups required for expectants mothers are listed as follows. Depending on the health of the expectant mother and/or her baby, the obstetrician may require additional tests.
| Blood test | Regular blood test | If you are pregnant, you must take a blood test (hemoglobin, platelet, red blood cell, etc.) to assess your health, and to identify any potential risks to you and your baby. At this time you will also be checked for diseases such as AIDS, rubella, etc. |
|---|---|---|
| Blood-type test | Test for ABO blood type and Rh factor. If you are a pregnant woman with Rh-negative blood, you will be injected with Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks of gestation. | |
| Syphilis examination | Test for syphilis, which is a major cause of fetal death and fetal infection. | |
| Hepatitis examination | Test for hepatitis. Hepatitis B tends to worsen during pregnancy, and can be passed to the baby through the placenta, during childbirth, or through nursing. | |
| Urinalysis | Test for gestosis or diabetes by testing sugar and proteins, and test for urinary tract infections. | |
| Ultrasound examination | Examination of growth development, location, size of the fetus and test for deformities. | |
A healthy child needs a healthy mother
If you are trying to conceive, make your health your primary focus. Consult a doctor and seek treatment for any health concerns you may have.Do not take medications
If possible, avoid taking any medication during pregnancy. Some medications can seriously impact the health and wellbeing of your child. The first trimester is an especially important time, since this is when your baby’s hands, feet, heart, and central nervous system are developing. In cases where medication is necessary for the health of the mother and the child (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, infection with prolonged fever, etc.), consult a doctor for appropriate dosage and treatment.Refrain from alcohol and cigarettes
Use/overuse of alcohol during pregnancy can cause a child to be born with physical deformities or even lead to fetal alcohol syndrome. Given the severity of the risks, it is wise not to drink any alcohol during pregnancy. Cigarettes can hamper the growth of the child and cause a low birth-weight, which can lead to other problems. Women who are smokers are advised to quit before trying to conceive.Pregnant women need to get enough calories, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.
Many women do not need to take nutritional supplements if they have a balanced diet. In a typical, healthy pregnancy, a woman will gain about 1kg a month for the first 4 months of her pregnancy, and about 2kg a month for the last 6 months of pregnancy, for a total of about 13kg in weight gain. Even if they eat a nutritious diet, pregnant women are advised to take iron supplements starting from the 5th month of pregnancy. Taking an iron supplement on an empty stomach facilitates absorption. Women of childbearing age should also get a certain amount of folic acid every day to prevent deficiency of Canalis neu ralis.Stool becomes harder during pregnancy because the intestines move less than usual and are pressed upon by the expanding womb; as a result, many pregnant women experience constipation.
To prevent constipation, pregnant women are advised to increase their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, engage in regular exercise, and drink plenty of water.Avoid strenuous activities
Pregnant women are encouraged to engage in regular, light exercise. However, if pregnant, you do need to avoid starting a new exercise or intensifying your current exercise routine. Also avoid dangerous activities such as heavy lifting or climbing tall ladders.In a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, it is not necessary to restrict sexual activities until the last 4 weeks of pregnancy.
However, women who are deemed at risk of a miscarriage or a premature birth may be advised to use condoms or abstain from intercourse.During pregnancy, edema (swelling) can often occur in the lower body due to pressure put on veins. Elevating your legs can help relieve some of this pressure and pain. Since edema can also be a sign of gestational hypertension, it is important to get your blood pressure checked if you experience edema in the latter half of pregnancy.
Vaginal secretion increases during pregnancy and is no cause for concern.
The increase in mucus secretions is due to the change of hormones that happen throughout pregnancy.Receive regular medical examinations
Receive regular medical examinations as advised by your doctor. You should receive prenatal care throughout your pregnancy by visiting an accredited medical institution. By doing this, you will be able to minimize any risks to you and your unborn child.Koreans have long believed that the behavior and mentality of the mother during pregnancy affects the baby mentally, emotionally, and physically. This approach to prenatal care is called Tae-gyo. Traditionally, the pregnant mother is advised to exercise caution in everything she does, refrain from all negative thinking and harmful actions, and talk and act in a relaxed manner to ensure the birth of a healthy child. As part of this mentality, there are many limitations on what a pregnant woman can eat, think, and do. From the perspective of an expectant female immigrant, advice on prenatal care from the husband's family may seem like an invasion of privacy, and may also be very stressful. However, this stress may come from cultural differences, so it is useful to talk with each other to build a better understanding. The spouse is encouraged to actively participate in tae-gyo for healthy pregnancy and delivery of the child.
All pregnant women (including marriage immigrants) can receive free healthcare from public health centers. High-risk expectant mothers* in particular should be sure to receive care from a public health center or other medical facility.
Public health centers offer the following tests: early confirmation of pregnancy, urine examination (diabetes,protein), and blood tests (hemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell, serologic test of syphilis, hepatitis, blood type). Expectant mothers can receive testing by signing up at their local public health center. (Please note, tests offered may vary by center).
Prenatal education programs are run by the local government and may differ by region.
Iron supplements are provided to pregnant women 16 weeks or more into their pregnancy who are enrolled with the health centers.
For pregnant woman who are registered at a public health center, folic acid supplements are provided for the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Support is provided for up to 3 million won in medical expenses not covered by health insurance for women in a high-risk pregnancy who are diagnosed with premature labor, birth-related bleeding, severe toxemia, premature rupture of membranes, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, threatened abortio, hypamnios, oligoamnios, incompetent cervix, antepartum hemorrhage and admitted to a hospital.
This program, implemented by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, seeks to provide the eligible pregnant women and infants nutrition education and counseling, as well as supplementary food to reduce their risk of malnutrition and independently maintain a nutritious diet. and infants who are at risk of malnutrition, and enhance the ability of these at-risk groups to independently maintain good nutrition.
| Type | Aid Information |
|---|---|
| Eligibility |
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| Aid Information |
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| How to Apply |
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This program is available at public health centers nationwide except for in Ongjin-gun (Incheon) and Ulleungdo (Gyeongsangbuk-do). Please visit or call your local public health center for more information
Gynecological examinations (congenital anomaly test, etc.) may be received at 'Raphael Clinic' (raphael.or.kr, 02-763-7595), a medical service organization that provides free medical treatment and aid for foreign workers.
Pregnant women can give birth at an OB/GYN clinic or hospital.
Birthing options and procedures should be discussed before labor to avoid any miscommunications. Two of the most common ways to give birth are vaginally and via c-section.
Prenatal and childbirth translation and interpretation services can be requested by contacting the Danuri Helpline (☎1577-1366) or your local multi-cultural family support center or, public health center.
women who give birth to two children or more at a time (twins, etc.) receive 120 days' perinatal maternity leave. The period of leave after delivery must be 60 days or longer.
major conglomerates pay 100% of the regular wages for 75 days in the case of multiple births (twins, etc.); the salary for the remaining 45 days will be provided by the unemployment insurance (up to KRW 1.8 million per month). In case of small and medium-sized companies, the unemployment insurance provides perinatal maternity pay for 120 days (up to KRW 1.8 million per month).
| Within 11 weeks of pregnancy | up to 5 days of protection leave is granted from the date of miscarriage or stillbirth. |
|---|---|
| 12-15 weeks of pregnancy | up to 10 days of protection leave is granted from the date of miscarriage or stillbirth. |
| 16-21 weeks | 30 days from the date of stillbirth or miscarriage |
| 22-27 weeks | 60 days from the date of stillbirth or miscarriage |
| Week 28weeks~ | 90 days from the date of stillbirth or miscarriage |
Workers who intend to receive wages during the leave must get a confirmation document from their company, and submit it along with an application leave and a copy of medical records of the miscarriage or stillbirth to their local employment center.
Workers can take a leave of absence for a year to raise a child or children ages 8 or younger, or in the second grade of elementary school.
The maximum duration of childcare leave is one year.
* First 3 months: 80% of the monthly regular wage (maximum KRW 1,500,000, minimum KRW 700,000), next 9 months: 50% of the monthly regular wage (maximum KRW 1,200,000, minimum KRW 700,000)
When both the mother and father take parental leave for the same child, 100% of the average monthly wage of the second user (usually father) will be the childcare allowance (maximum: KRW 2.5 million) (Childcare leave bonus system for the father).
Additional KRW 100,000 is given to companies subject to preferential support when an employee takes a childcare leave for the first time within the companies (Incentive No. 1)
Workers who have children 6 years old or younger (only applies to children born after January 1, 2008) who are not yet in elementary school, can apply for reduced working hours (15-30 hours a week) during the childcare period
When workers are pregnant, they can take a leave before or after childbirth. In addition, workers who have a child (or children) ages 8 or younger, or are in the second grade of an elementary school or below, can take a parental leave (working hour reduction during child nurturing period).
