Birth practices in Thailand

If you are thinking about giving birth in Thailand, you have a lot to be happy about. The standard of medical care here is excellent. Private hospitals here offer attentive, smiling service and comfortable, sometimes even luxurious, facilities. You are assured that you will see the same doctor throughout your pregnancy, and he/she will most likely be the one to attend your birth. Post-birth, you can enjoy a private room with plenty of room for visitors (including children) and in many hospitals your partner is permitted to stay overnight.

So what’s the problem? In Thailand, as in many other countries, caesarians are becoming increasingly popular. Caesareans, like any major operation, are not entirely risk-free and are often associated with problems for both mother and baby. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that caesarean section rates should be maintained between 5 and 10%, with rates higher than 15% actually causing more harm than good. Despite this, a recent study found that nearly 1 in 3 women in Thailand birth by caesarean section. In private hospitals, this percentage can climb as high as 60-90% for some doctors. Many of these are elective caesareans, chosen by the family for auspicious or other reasons. Nonetheless, it’s a natural consequence that hospitals with higher rates of elective caesareans also tend to have more unplanned caesareans as well, simply because the doctors and support staff are not as familiar with the progress of a normal labor.

In general, doctors here still take a very “active management” model towards pregnancy and birth. What this means: you are likely to be offered frequent ultrasounds, or possibly induction of labor or drugs to assist or speed up labor. If your pregnancy is high-risk, this means you are likely to be in great hands (especially in Bangkok, where medical technology and expertise is world class); however, if you have a normal, low-risk pregnancy or desire a natural, vaginal birth, you may feel this is unnecessary or even interferes with your desired birth.

Just as in any other country, different doctors and hospitals will have different approaches towards childbirth and postpartum care; finding a doctor and hospital whose approach fits with yours will make a huge difference. It is worth taking the time to discover your preferences and research your options.

Further Reading

- A Guide to Having Your Baby in Bangkok
- What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know About Cesarean Sections

Choosing a hospital and doctor>