Pregnancy and childbirth in Thailand: Comprehensive guide for expats
Numerous people travel to Thailand once and stay for years, which has created a large expat community. Many expats living here have jobs and businesses, form communities, and settle in for the long term.
This is why it's perfectly possible that after some time in Thailand, you might consider starting a family here.
If you plan to have a baby in Thailand, you will find that the country is well-equipped to offer proper care and facilities for both pregnancy and delivery.
Pregnancy packages in Thailand
Most hospitals in Thailand, and especially private hospitals, will offer future parents the so-called "pregnancy packages". These packages combine a set of services from prenatal care to delivery and postnatal care and are offered at a set price.
Purchasing a "pregnancy package" is often more cost-efficient than paying for each of the delivery services you might need individually.
Note, however, that you will need to pay extra if you need any additional services (not included in the package) or if your pregnancy is complicated.
When purchasing a pregnancy package, make sure to ask your healthcare providers what exactly is included in the package.
Here are some pregnancy package costs from some of the more popular expat hospitals in Thailand:
- Bumrungrad Hospital: THB 140,000 to THB 160,000;
- Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital: THB 90,000 to THB 120,000;
- Bangkok Christian Hospital: THB 60,000 to THB 85,000.
Note that private hospitals may often add on services to your package at extra cost, sometimes failing to notify you. This may include extra nursing care for the mother, additional medication, extra meals, and more.
When you are checking out of the hospital, make sure to go over all the costs with your healthcare provider and check if you have received all the services in your final bill.
Pregnancy costs in Thailand: what to expect
If you don't have insurance that covers most of the standard delivery costs, you may see the costs for related services add up quickly. In addition to the delivery costs, you will need to factor in the cost of various tests (ultrasounds, fetal tests, etc.) and regular check-ups.
If you have insurance, then all your routine check-ups should be covered – but it's always a good idea to check with your insurance company ahead of time.
Also, keep in mind that if you get pregnant and then apply for health insurance, the insurance will most likely not cover you. There is a clause in many insurance plans that says you have to wait up to 10 months for the maternity add-on to kick in, even if the rest of your plan has already taken effect.
The cost of your pregnancy package depends on the hospital you choose and on the services that you want to be included.
For instance, the cost of the standard baby delivery package starts at THB 70,000 for natural delivery at a premium clinic inside a government hospital like Ramathibodi. If the mother needs a C-section, the package will start at THB 90,000.
At a private hospital like Bangkok Hospital, that cost jumps up to THB 110,000 for natural delivery and THB 138,000 for a C-section.
Public or private hospital in Thailand?
As we've mentioned above, most expats opt for a private hospital when having a baby in Thailand.
Choosing a private hospital offers a greater level of convenience – although at a higher price. At private hospitals, you will find shorter lines, more attentive services, and more English-speaking doctors, nurses, and midwives. You will also have additional perks like comfortable rooms, better food, the right of the father to assist in labor, and more.
With that, a lot of doctors in Thailand divide their time between working in both public and private hospitals. In this sense, the quality of healthcare you receive at a private or public hospital will not be substantially different.
If you don't have the budget for a private hospital, you can have a baby at one of Thailand's many public hospitals. As we've mentioned above, the quality of medical services provided in public hospitals is not in any way inferior to that offered in private hospitals.
However, you will probably experience a lower level of comfort, longer lines, and waiting lists, as well as fewer options for finding English-speaking personnel. Although the father will be able to go into the delivery room after your baby is born, he won't be able to stay there during the delivery process, especially for C-sections. You also won't be able to pick or change your doctor.
Another option for having a baby in Thailand is using a premium clinic. Premium clinics are part of public hospitals but offer a higher level of service.
You will be able to pick a doctor at a premium clinic, and the waiting times may also be shorter.
The cost of having a baby in a premium clinic will be higher than in a public hospital — but not as high as in a private one.
Natural deliveries and C-sections in Thailand
In many instances in Thailand, C-sections are favored over natural births due to cultural values.
Firstly, the doctor in charge of your delivery would rather schedule you for a C-section close to your due date than let you deliver the baby naturally. This happens because doctors don't want to be inconvenienced by having to drive to the hospital or stop what they're doing to help you deliver your baby. Doctors in Thailand are revered a bit more than those in the West, and questioning their motives causes them to lose face. So, many people follow their doctor's plans.
Secondly, there is a misconception that natural birth is what lower-income mothers-to-be rely on. Because Thai society values status, requesting a C-section makes it appear as if you are well-off financially.
Of course, this doesn't happen everywhere in Thailand, but make sure you pick a doctor who will respect your wishes to deliver your baby naturally if that's what you plan to do.
Tipping doctors in Thailand
If you spend enough time in Thailand, you will hear stories of doctors accepting monetary tips from patients so that they can do a better job of delivering their babies. Sadly, this is a common practice, although it is illegal. In most hospitals, you will see signs that say “No Gifts” – monetary tipping is indeed what they are referring to. If a doctor ever asks you for a tip, even in a joking way, let the hospital staff know and find another doctor.
Good to know:
Thai women may be eligible for the 30 Baht card, which gives them access to budget healthcare. If you are married to a native Thai woman, you may have access to free or discounted healthcare. In this case, each doctor's visit is free for up to five visits. The downsides are the same as with most free healthcare – long wait times and no option to pick your doctor. Also, the father most likely won't be able to go into the delivery room.
