“If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any”. (Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer)

Medical care is easily accessible in Korea, but  doctors tend to dedicate little time to individual patients, leaving many questions unanswered. Birth can be unpredictable in any country and any setting, but it is especially crucial for expat parents to approach labor with calm and confidence, and arm themselves with knowledge, understanding their options and having effective communication exchanges with their chosen caregivers.

Whether you are planning an unmedicated, intervention-free birth, or you prefer to keep your options open and take advantage of medical forms of pain relief, a childbirth preparation course will provide you with the tools that will allow you to go through labor and birth confident and serene, and deal with unexpected situations should they arise, ultimately leading to a positive experience.

The class environment is informal and relaxed; couples are invited to attend together and participants are given plenty of opportunities to interact, ask questions, and practice skills and techniques. You will learn the basics of labor and birth, watch and discuss videos showing different birthing experiences, practice positions and relaxation techniques that can be helpful during labor, and learn all about the reality of giving birth in South Korea. Then, we will focus on the new addition to your family, exploring the basics of lactation, diaper changing (with hands-on practice for partners!), sleeping, bathing, and comforting a baby in distress. We do so with the help of Dunstan Baby Language, a system that helps you identify the different cries newborns make and allows you to respond to your baby’s needs sooner and without stress.

Our Prenatal Education Course consists of a total of 16 teaching hours, divided into four 4-hour sessions. Our classes are tailored to the needs and concerns of the participants, so no two courses are ever exactly the same.

Class One: Understanding Birth

This class focuses on the process of labor and birth, from the first signs that something may be happening, to the moment you meet your baby, with special considerations for the reality of birthing in Korea. Topics include:

• Identifying your goals and expectations for birth and understanding if your care provider is right for you;
• The Korean medical model;
• The physiology of labor and the role of hormones;
• How to know when you are in labor and decide when to go to your birthing facility;
• Effective communication with your Korean medical team.

Class Two: Comfort Measures for Labor and Birth

In this class, we discuss the importance of the birth plan as a communication tool, practice comfort techniques and positioning, discuss medical pain relief and common interventions in Korean hospitals. Topics include:

• Common interventions in Korea and drafting a birth plan that works for you;
• Sensations Vs Emotions of labor: the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle;
• Comfort techniques and relaxation tools: massage, positioning, counterpressure, heat and cold therapy, vocalization, breathing, visualization and relaxation skills;
• Medical pain relief options: how epidurals work;
• The basics on C-sections;
• Decision-making skills to deal with the unexpected.

Class Three: Nursing with Dunstan Baby Language

This class focuses on nursing, with hands-on practice on positioning, and provides an introduction to Dunstan Baby Language by exploring the sounds baby makes when hungry. Topics include:

• Tuning in to your baby with Dunstan Baby Language;
• Nursing basics: anatomy and hormones, supply and demand, latching and positioning;
• Bottle feeding, formula feeding, and pumping;
• Common challenges and how to ensure a good supply.

Class Four: Newborn Care with Dunstan Baby Language

In this class we focus on the first few days and weeks after baby joins the family, from postpartum care for the birthing person, to diaper changing and sleep techniques. We also continue to explore Dunstan Baby Language and discover the sounds babies make when tired, gassy, or uncomfortable.

• The importance of the Fourth Trimester;
• Sleep basics: how much sleep do babies need, regressions, scheduling;
• The importance of burping;
• Colics: why they happen and relief options;
• Changing and bathing a baby (with hands-on practice);
• Care after birth and common postpartum issues;
• Finding time and space as a couple after baby is born.

Our Prenatal Education Course costs ₩680,000, covering attendance for the expectant person and their partner (or another supporter), handouts, and light refreshments*. Attendance to individual classes is possible at a price of ₩200,000 per class.
Classes are held at the Nest in Busan. Traveling classes can be arranged for a minimum of 3 to 5 couples, depending on distance (transportation fees may apply).

For second-time parents or couples giving birth in Korea for the first time, Refresher Classes are also available; these include a debriefing of previous births, a recap of coping techniques for labor, an overview on how to make decisions leading to the birth you want, as well as strategies for preparing siblings for the new arrival, and are priced at ₩200,000 for four hours of teaching. Fees include participation for the expectant person and their partner or other accompanying support person, handouts, and email/phone/text support whenever you have questions.
Classes are held at the Nest in Busan. Traveling classes can be arranged for a minimum of 3 to 5 couples, depending on distance (transportation fees may apply).

For parents who prefer completely individualized childbirth classes in the comfort of their own home, our Private Classes are the perfect choice. The topics are the same, but they are covered in fewer hours, and can be even more easily adapted to the parents’ specific needs. Private classes cost ₩60,000 per hour, and there is a minimum booking of two hours.  Classes can be held at the Nest, or at the parent’s chosen location (traveling fees may apply, depending on distance).

If you would like to hire a doula in addition to prenatal classes, please check our Labor Support Packages or contact Adele (adele@morningcalmbirthing.com) to discuss your specific needs.