Birth Stories

At the end of the day, the best source of information is talking to other parents.

This is why we’ve collected birth stories from mothers who had their babies in Thailand (and a few of the dads as well). Each story is told in their own words.

You can browse the stories at random below, or click on topics of interest in the tag cloud on the right.

Note – right now many of our stories are natural birth stories, but our intention is not to focus only on natural birth. We would like to see the whole range of birth experiences represented on our site and are actively seeking stories from parents who have used epidurals, c-sections or other methods, and stories from different hospitals and cities.

Would you like to share your birth story? Please contact us…

First-time mother at 45

Although classified as ‘high-risk’ because of her age, Sandra had an easy pregnancy and a clear vision of the natural birth she wanted for herself and her baby. Based in Vietnam, she decided to travel to Bangkok to give birth. Here is her day-by-day account…

A Natural Birth in Chiang Mai

This farang mother recounts how she navigated the medical system in Chiang Mai to find support for her desire for an active, natural birth, and the wonderful Thai midwife who made it all possible.

A Chiang Mai Dad’s perspective

A farang dad shares his experience accompanying his Thai wife, who gave birth at the local government Chiang Mai Maternity Hospital. Faced with language barriers, unfamiliar procedures and less-than-comfortable surroundings, he still managed to care for his hours-old daughter as her mother underwent surgery.

Tagged: Chiang Mai, dad's story

Giving birth 10,000 miles from home

An expat living in Cambodia, Rachel came to Bangkok to give birth to Jazz just as Cyclone Nargis was descending on Myanmar. Her attempt at natural birth became an emergency c-section after infection set in. This is a series of three articles that originally appeared in Slate Magazine

A preemie and his parents prevail

Getting pregnant was complicated. Staying pregnant was complicated. Giving birth was complicated. The first 10 weeks were complicated….After 4 tries at IVF, placenta previa, and heavy internal hemorrhaging, Bal gave birth to CK by c-section a full 8 weeks before his due date. This is the story of his birth and the care which Bal received throughout and following her pregnancy.

Tales from the Honey Comb

Based on a remote village in Krabi province, Jill came to Bangkok Phuket Hospital to deliver, where she had a great natural birth with the assistance of a supportive doctor and nursing team.

Indigo’s Night: A Birth Story

As a prenatal yoga teacher, Joung-ah was very familiar with the principles of breathing. But on the night of her arrival, her daughter Indigo taught her anew about its power with her determination and grace.

VBAC in Bangkok

After suffering difficulties with postpartum depression after her first child’s birth by emergency cesarean, Kerstin was determined to try for a VBAC. Along the way, she convinced the hospital to agree to change their normal policy of separating mother and baby after surgery, just in case she had another c-section.

Hypno-what? You gotta be kidding me…

Originally a skeptic about natural birth, this mother’s birth experience with hypnobirthing and the assistance of a doula completely turned her expectations around.

Aidan’s Birth Story

An American married to a Thai, Amy chose Bumrungrad to birth for the high quality of medical care and a doctor whose approach to birth and breastfeeding matched her own. Aidan was born after a short but intense labor to elated parents.

2 responses to “Birth Stories”

Janelle
January 22, 2013 at 6:40 pm | Permalink | Reply

Dear Parent Vine and all the parents who shared their stories,

I am a mom, living in another country in SE Asia, planning on giving birth this June at Samitivej in Bangkok. Thank you so much for posting your stories. As I am an expat living far from home (USA) it has been extremely encouraging to hear about your stories as well as gain some tips from you and plan on what to expect. What was also extremely encouraging was to see my doctors name, Dr. Sankiat, in so many of the stories. Thank you for the encouragement and peace of mind you’ve provided for those of us, especially if we aren’t Bangkok residents and have to do so much of our planning from a distance.

Grateful,
Janelle
1. the parent vine
  January 22, 2013 at 7:32 pm | Permalink | Reply
  
  Thanks for the kind words. Sadly, we haven’t had time to update the site much lately, but we’ve left it up in hopes that the existing information will be useful for moms like you. Good luck with your upcoming birth!