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How should you plan for pregnancy in Thailand?
Having a baby is a huge decision in life, especially if you want to give birth in a foreign country such as Thailand. You will need to spend way more time searching for useful information online and offline, such as which private hospital is the best to give birth while struggling with cultural and language barriers.
In this article by Pacific Prime Thailand, we will walk you through the key steps in planning for pregnancy in the Land of Smiles.
1. Conduct blood tests for mothers and fathers-to-be
Both parents should undertake a range of blood tests for sexually transmitted diseases that can be passed on to children and could result in possible disabilities.
Internal examination and cervical cancer screening can effectively ascertain that you do not have any serious diseases, such as cancer. This is because cancer treatment during pregnancy could seriously damage the fetus.
If your partner or you are Asian, doctors will test for Thalassemia, which is an inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less hemoglobin than normal.
These checkups are crucial to ensure that you are physically ready to have a baby, eliminating or at least lowering the risks of health conditions that may affect your pregnancy and the health of your baby.
2. Find a suitable hospital
It is best that you find a hospital that matches your needs and budget at an earlier stage. The first step is to decide whether you want to stay in a public or private hospital. While public hospitals have a cheaper rate, private hospitals definitely offer a higher treatment standard, more well-equipped medical professionals, and a better environment.
Most hospitals offer expecting parents “childbirth packages” for one flat rate, which already covers all normal delivery services. However, should there be any problem with the baby or mother before, during, or after the delivery, extra costs may be charged. Therefore, you should also familiarize yourself with the prices of both natural birth and C-section delivery packages so that you can get mentally and financially prepared.
For more information about the costs of maternity care at different hospitals in Thailand, you can refer to our previous article.
3. Secure a maternity insurance policy
Arguably the most important step in planning for your pregnancy is to secure a comprehensive maternity insurance plan, especially for expats who always find discouraged in local public hospitals due to the long wait times and language barrier.
Furthermore, being covered by maternity insurance means that you can afford delivery in a private hospital, which boasts more cutting-edge medical technologies and procedures, as well as better-trained and educated doctors. You can also enjoy a more private and tranquil ward environment after delivery so that you can focus on your recovery.
One very important thing about maternity insurance is that, if you are already pregnant when you purchase the insurance plan, you will not be covered. Therefore, it is paramount that you plan ahead carefully and purchase a maternity insurance plan at least 12 months before you get pregnant. This is because all maternity insurance policies in Thailand – and worldwide, in fact – have waiting periods on them. So you will need to have secured a maternity insurance policy at least a year before the conception of your child before the policy will cover any costs.
There are so many different maternity insurance policies on the market, and it can be exhausting and cumbersome to look for the right one all on your own. It is a smart move to engage the service of a reliable and professional insurance broker like Pacific Prime to help you sort out the plan that best matches your needs and budget.
Contact Pacific Prime today
With 20 years of experience and 10 offices across the world, Pacific Prime is an award-winning insurance broker that specializes in a variety of insurance products such as maternity insurance and international health insurance. Our teams of experts are adept at helping our clients find the plan best matches their budget and needs.
Contact us today for more insurance advice, an obligation-free quote and free plan comparison.
When he’s not working, he’s usually on the hunt for great restaurants, playing badminton, and writing screenplays.
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