Pregnancy

Pregnancy Care in Busan

From a first positive test to postpartum checkups, Busan has a dense network of OB/GYN clinics, women's hospitals and university hospitals. This hub explains how pregnancy care works in Korea, what support is available, and where to find each service.

How pregnancy care works in Korea

Most pregnancies are followed by an OB/GYN from start to finish, with an ultrasound at nearly every visit. There's no separate midwife-led system for most people. You can choose any clinic without a referral. Some clinics provide prenatal care only and refer you to a delivery hospital later. Women's hospitals and university hospitals handle deliveries, and university hospitals take high-risk pregnancies.

The journey at a glance

• Confirming pregnancy: urine or blood hCG test and a first ultrasound around 6 to 8 weeks.
• First trimester: first blood panel, nuchal translucency scan and screening options, including optional NIPT.
• Second trimester: serum screening, detailed anatomy ultrasound, glucose testing at 24 to 28 weeks.
• Third trimester: growth scans, Tdap vaccine at 27 to 36 weeks, fetal monitoring, birth planning.
• After birth: postpartum checkups, contraception, and optionally a stay at a postpartum care center (산후조리원).

Cost and support

Many prenatal services are partly covered by National Health Insurance (NHI). NHI enrollees, including eligible foreign residents, can get the pregnancy and childbirth medical expense voucher : 1 million won for a single pregnancy, or 1 million won per fetus for multiple pregnancies. It's loaded onto a National Happiness Card and usable toward co-payments and many non-covered prenatal costs. Optional extras such as NIPT and 3D/4D scans, and postpartum care centers, are self-pay. Local governments may offer further support, so check with your district office.

Choosing a clinic or hospital

• Decide early whether you want to deliver at the same place where you get prenatal care.
• Ask about English-speaking doctors, female doctors, epidurals, partner policies and night or weekend coverage.
• For high-risk pregnancies, consider a university hospital from the start.

Tips for foreigners

• Bring your ARC or passport. Ask for a pregnancy confirmation form so you can apply for the voucher.
• Keep your maternal and child health handbook (산모수첩) with you at every visit.
• Use the Korea Travel Hotline (1330) for interpretation. See the international patients guide .

Pregnancy services

• Pregnancy Test
• Pregnancy Blood Tests
• Prenatal Care
• NIPT Test Korea
• Morning Sickness Treatment
• Gestational Diabetes Screening
• Pregnancy Vaccinations
• Postpartum Care

Related

• Pregnancy Checkup Cost Korea
• Fertility Assessment
• International Patients
• All clinics

When to get help sooner

Go to a delivery hospital or ER immediately for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fluid leaking, a severe headache or vision changes, fainting, or reduced baby movements. Call 119 in an emergency.

Busan hospitals and clinics for pregnancy care

Hospitals marked "Delivers" are on HIRA's list of facilities that can deliver babies. Features are as listed in public directories. Call to confirm services and hours before you go.

Pregnancy care FAQ