All pregnant women (including foreign spouses) may qualify for free folic acid and iron supplements according to their pregnancy stage, if they register at a community health center. (Excluding foreigners) In particular, it is important for high-risk pregnant women to go for regular checkups at medical institutions and health centers.
Cases classified as high-risk pregnancy
- Pregnant women who are too young or too old (under 20 years old or above 35 years old)
- Pregnant women who have experienced premature birth, stillbirth and fetal macrosomia etc.
- Patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid diseases and autoimmune diseases etc.
- Underweight and overweight pregnant women
- Pregnant women with abnormal prenatal tests etc.
Recommended checkups for pregnant women
The items of a regular checkup to maintain the health of pregnant women are as follows.
| Test Items | Test Details | |
| Blood Test | RegularBlood Test | A blood test (hemoglobin, platelets and red blood cells, etc.) to assess thehealth of the mother and to check if there are any problems maintainingpregnancy, as well as to test for diseases such as aids and rubella etc. |
| Blood Type TestSyphilis Test | To check ABO blood type and Rh factor.Results in fetal infection and is a leading cause of fetal death.Tests for infection. Especially, hepatitis B often worsens during pregnancy | |
| Hepatitis Test | and may spread to the baby through the placenta during delivery or whenbreast-feeding. | |
| Urine Test | Enables diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and diabetes through sugar and proteintests. Also tests for urinary tract infection. | |
| Ultrasound Scan | Allows a look inside the uterus to monitor fetal growth, fetal position andshape, as well as to check for abnormalities etc. | |
- Other than the above test items, a more detailed examination may be necessary depending on the health conditions of both mother and fetus
Health Center Services for Pregnant Women
Counselling and various services are provided for pregnant women who
register their pregnancy with the local health center.
As each
local health center offers different programs and benefits, it is
recommended that inquiries be made beforehand.
Prenatal Care
- Eligibility: Pregnant women who live in Incheon and have registered their pregnancy with a health center
- What to bring along: identity card and pregnancy handbook
- Assistance given
Issuance of Recommendation Letter for Free Childbirth
- Eligibility: Socially vulnerable pregnant women who live in Incheon and have registered their preg-nancy with a health center
- Birth center: Planned Population Federation of Korea, Incheon Family Health Clinic
Postnatal Care
- Assistance given
Birth Congratulatory Gifts
- Eligibility: Pregnant women who live in Incheon and have registered their pregnancy with a health center
- What to bring along: Pregnancy handbook and immunization handbook
- Period of availability: Within 1 month after childbirth
-
Assistance given: Body care products and non-contact thermometer
- Advance inquiries should be made as assistance provided in each county (gun) and ward (gu) differs.
Birth Preparation and Health Care Classes
-
Assistance given
- Breast-feeding lessons, gymnastic classes for pregnant women, birth preparation classes and baby massage classes
Supplementary Nutrition Care for Mother and Child
-
Eligibility
- Socially vulnerable pregnant women, nursing mothers and children (under 6 years old)
- Those who face more than one type of nutritional risk (anemia, low birth weight, poor growth and poor nutritional status)
Assistance given
-
Eligibility
- Free supplementary food package: provides appropriate foodstuffs such as rice, potatoes, eggs, carrots, milk, black beans, laver, seaweed, canned tuna and tangerines etc. according to nutrition- al status
- Provides individual counseling, group and home visit education, and free nutrition education held at least once a month and available on weekends or at night for busy working people.
Incheon Childbirth Promotion Assistance Program (Childbirth Promotion Non-Stop Health Care Service)
In Incheon Metropolitan City, various assistance programs to encourage childbirth are offered through the family health clinic operated by the Planned Population Federation of Korea (Incheon Branch).
- Planned Population Federation of Korea (Family Health Clinic) Incheon Branch ☎ 032-451-4000
- Family Health Clinic (Screening Center) ☎ 032-451-4000
- Mammammam Incheon (cafe.naver.com/mammammam)
Health Screening for Newlyweds (of marriageable age) in Incheon Metropolitan City
-
Eligibility : to get married or newly married with no kids (applicable
to foreign spouses)
- Only available for 250 couples on a first-come, first-served basis. Fast for 8 hours before visiting the health clinic for the screening. Reservations are not required.
- Contact the Planned Population Federation of Korea for more details as the terms and conditions change every year.
- What to bring : A copy of resident registration and identification card with Incheon as the address Contract for the wedding hall or wedding invitation (prospective couples)
- Screening Items
| Tests | Screening Items |
|---|---|
| Physical Examination | Height, weight, blood pressure |
| Urine Test | 7 panel drug urine test |
| Blood Test | White blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin, blood platelet, hematocrit |
| Hepatitis B Test | Antigens, antibodies (quantitative testing) Hepatitis |
| HepatitisA Test | Antibodies (quantitative testing) |
| STD Testing | Syphilis (qualitative testing) Biochemical |
| Examination | Total 6 items including cholesterol Chest |
| X-ray | Direct radiography (DR) |
| Thyroid Test | TSH, T3, FreeT4 (The thyroid test is applicable only to women) |
Health Screening Fees: Totally free
- Additional charges may arise when applicable.
Maternal Health Screening
- Eligibility: Pregnant women (applicable to foreign spouses) who have signed up for medical insurance and health insurance as Incheon residents
- What to bring: A copy of resident registration, identification card and pregnancy handbook
- Screening items and charges
| Week of Pregnancy | Screening Items | Deductable |
|---|---|---|
| Week 8 to 12 |
|
Free |
| Week 16 to 18 |
|
Free |
| Week 24 to 28 |
|
Free |
| Week 28 to 31 |
|
Free |
| One child Week34 to 36 |
|
Freeforchildbirths athealthclinic Free |
| Twins Week 32 to 34 |
|
Free |
| 1 to 3 monthspost delivery |
|
Free |
- Consultation fees are charged separately
Childbirth Promotion (Delivery) Medical Service
- Eligibility: Pregnant women (applicable to foreign spouses) who have signed up for health insurance as Incheon residents.
- What to bring: A copy of resident registration, identification card and pregnancy handbook
- Services and related charges
| Classification | Length of Hospital Stay | Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Child Delivery |
3 days, 2 nights (single bed room) | Full subsidy |
| Surgical Child Delivery |
8 days, 7 nights (single bed room) | Full subsidy |
| Additional Assistance |
|
Support in case of giving birth at Family Health Clinics only |
Source: "Be an Incheoner" - Guidebook for Foreign Residents in
Incheon
