Prenatal Checkup Gangnam Seoul

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Navigating prenatal care in a foreign country can feel daunting, but South Korea offers excellent, comprehensive, and increasingly foreigner-friendly prenatal services. Especially in a bustling area like Gangnam, Seoul, you'll find top-tier medical facilities.



Understanding Prenatal Care in Korea

Prenatal care in Korea follows a structured schedule, similar to Western countries, with regular checkups, ultrasounds, and blood tests to monitor both maternal and fetal health.

Typical Prenatal Schedule:

  • Weeks 4-28: Monthly visits
  • Weeks 28-36: Bi-weekly visits
  • Weeks 36-Delivery: Weekly visits

Common Tests and Procedures:

  • Initial Confirmation: Urine and blood tests to confirm pregnancy, hormone levels.
  • Early Pregnancy Screening (1st Trimester):
  • Blood tests: Anemia, blood type (ABO & Rh factor), Rubella immunity, Hepatitis B/C, HIV, Syphilis, and other infections.
  • Ultrasound: To confirm fetal viability, gestational age, and check for nuchal translucency (part of chromosomal abnormality screening).
  • Optional Genetic Testing (NIPT): Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, typically done after 10 weeks, screens for chromosomal abnormalities like Down Syndrome from the mother's blood.
  • Second Trimester:
  • Anatomy Scan (Level II Ultrasound): Around 20-24 weeks, a detailed ultrasound to check fetal development, organs, and identify any structural abnormalities. Fetal echocardiography might be included.
  • Maternal Serum Screening (Quad Screen): Blood test for chromosomal abnormalities.
  • Gestational Diabetes Test (Glucose Tolerance Test): Around 24-28 weeks.
  • Blood Test: For anemia, liver function.
  • Third Trimester:
  • Group B Strep Test: Screening for bacterial infection that can affect the baby during delivery.
  • Fetal Growth Monitoring: Regular ultrasounds to check baby's size and position.
  • Non-stress Test (NST): After 32 weeks, to monitor fetal heart rate and uterine contractions.
  • Delivery Planning: Discussions about birth plan, pain relief options, etc.

Where to Get Prenatal Checkups in Gangnam, Seoul for Foreigners:

Gangnam boasts some of the best hospitals and clinics with strong international patient services.

  1. Large University Hospitals with International Healthcare Centers: These are often the top choice for comprehensive care, especially for high-risk pregnancies or those who prefer a large hospital setting for delivery.
  • CHA Gangnam Medical Center (CHA Hospital): Highly renowned, particularly for women's health, obstetrics, and fertility. They have a strong reputation among foreigners and offer excellent English-speaking services. Their VIP clinic for foreigners (Chaum Clinic) is located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam.
  • Samsung Medical Center (SMC) & Asan Medical Center (AMC): Both are among Korea's largest and most prestigious hospitals. They have excellent Obstetrics and Gynecology departments and dedicated International Healthcare Centers (IHCs) with English-speaking staff to assist foreign patients with appointments, interpretation, and billing.
  • Severance Hospital (Sinchon) & Gangnam Severance Hospital: Also top-tier university hospitals with strong OB/GYN departments and IHCs, providing high-quality prenatal care.
  • Pros: State-of-the-art facilities, access to multiple specialists if needed, comprehensive care from prenatal to delivery.
  • Cons: Can be more expensive without NHIS; appointments might require some waiting time.


  1. Public Health Centers (Bogeonso - 보건소):
  • While not in Gangnam specifically, local public health centers throughout Seoul (like Yeongdeungpo-gu, Incheon, etc.) offer some free basic prenatal services to registered pregnant women, including foreigners (especially those with a foreign spouse and registered for medical insurance/health insurance). These can include:
  • Folic acid and iron supplements (based on pregnancy stage).
  • Basic blood tests (e.g., hemoglobin, syphilis, AIDS, rubella immunity).
  • Early pregnancy ultrasounds.
  • Prenatal health education.
  • Pros: Free or low-cost services.
  • Cons: Limited English support, basic services only, not suitable for comprehensive ongoing care or delivery. It's best to use these to supplement your main prenatal care at a hospital/clinic.


Cost of Prenatal Care in Korea (with NHIS & without):

Costs vary significantly depending on the facility and your insurance status.

  • With Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS):
  • If you are a registered resident with an Alien Registration Card (ARC) and enrolled in NHIS, prenatal care is largely covered.
  • Initial Pregnancy Confirmation + Labs: Roughly ₩100,000 to ₩250,000 KRW without NHIS; significantly less with NHIS.
  • Routine Checkups per Visit: ₩50,000 to ₩100,000 KRW without NHIS; often just a co-pay (e.g., ₩10,000 - ₩30,000 KRW) with NHIS.
  • Ultrasound Scan: ₩50,000 to ₩150,000 KRW per session without NHIS; partially covered with NHIS.
  • NIPT (Optional Genetic Testing): This is usually not covered by NHIS unless there's a high-risk indication. It can cost ₩500,000 to ₩900,000 KRW.
  • Full Prenatal Packages: Some private clinics offer packages that combine monthly checkups, basic labs, and sometimes even delivery, ranging from ₩2,000,000 to ₩4,500,000 KRW or more. These often provide a discounted rate compared to paying for each visit individually.
  • Without NHIS: You will pay out-of-pocket for all services. Costs can add up quickly, so if you are planning to stay in Korea long-term, getting NHIS is highly recommended.


Important Tips for Foreigners:

  1. Get NHIS: If you are a long-term resident, enrolling in the Korean National Health Insurance system is crucial. It significantly reduces medical costs.
  2. Choose a Doctor/Clinic with English Support: Look for clinics or hospitals with an International Healthcare Center or those explicitly stating English-speaking staff. Communication is key, especially during pregnancy.
  3. Understand the "Doctor's Orders" Model: Korean healthcare can be more paternalistic than in some Western countries. Be prepared that doctors might be less verbose with explanations unless specifically asked. Don't hesitate to ask questions and express your preferences (e.g., regarding a birth plan), especially if the clinic is accustomed to international patients.
  4. Prenatal Classes: While doctors provide medical advice, consider external prenatal education classes specifically tailored for expats in Korea. Services like Morning Calm Birthing Services offer in-person and online prenatal education classes that cover labor, birth, postpartum care, breastfeeding, and newborn basics, with a special focus on navigating the Korean medical model.
  5. Sanhu Joriwon (Postpartum Care Centers): Korea has a unique and highly popular system of postnatal care centers. Many foreigners find these invaluable for recovery and newborn care after delivery. Hospitals like CHA Bundang Medical Center have excellent Postnatal Care Centers with separate programs and interpreter services for mothers from foreign countries.

Beginning your prenatal journey in Korea offers access to advanced medical technology and dedicated professionals. By choosing a foreigner-friendly facility, you can ensure a smooth and well-supported pregnancy experience.