Many Korean women go to special care facilities for a week or two after giving birth. Some hospitals and birthing centers have sanhujuriwons, so ask yours if they offer this services.
These facilities usually require you to sign up for the waiting list several weeks in advance; you can't just show up with your baby and enter the clinic. Many also require the newborn to be admitted into the postnatal clinic straight from the hospital so they can confirm that the baby is healthy. They also require the baby's vaccine records. If you are not getting your child vaccines or wish to delay vaccines, make sure you find out how to go about this. There is usually a way. If you have a cold you will probably not be allowed to stay at the clinic. If the baby has a cold, diarrhea, fever, etc at the time of admittance the clinic will not admit you nor baby to protect the other newborns.
Not all women like these places. Sometimes babies and moms are kept separate for the majority of the day. Family may only be able visit during set hours each day. Usually the father can visit whenever, but ask since rules vary. Rooms are often kept very warm. Moms are fed seaweed soup and given vigorous breast and body massages because they believe this will help with milk production and help get their bodies back into shape. Rooms are often kept super, super warm. Sometimes they have a small gift pack for the mom and baby as well. THe best thing to do is ask what your facility does. Other women love these places and say that they really helped them after giving birth.
Costs vary from about 2-5 mil won for 2 weeks. There are tons and tons of places to choose from. Here are just a few places. You can also put 산후조리원 in a Naver Map or Daum Map search and see what comes up near you. If you're interested definitely ask around for recommendations. Below you can find a few facilities, remember, there are many, many more out there.
Seoul
- Abeulmoli (아벨모리산후조리원) in Dongjak
- Amorium (아모리움 산후조리원) in Gangnam
- Angelet (앙즐레 산후조리원) in Gangnam
- Cha Hospital in Gangnam
- Da Hagi (더하기 산후조리원) in Gangseo
- Derama (드라마산후조리원) in Gangnam
- Haengbukhan (행복한산후조리원) in Gangnam
- La Belle Mere (라벨메르 산후조리원) in Songpa
- LB Mom (LB산후조리원) in Gangnam
- Lienna (리엔나 산후조리원) in Seocho
- Mama's Birth Center in Hannam
- Mommy Care (마미케어 산후조리원)in Gangnam
- Sahmyook Medical Center in Dongdaemun
- Saimdang (사임당 산후조리원) in Seocho
- Samsinbaby (첫단추 산후조리원) in Seongbuk
- St. Park (세인트파크 산후조리원) in Gangnam
- The Bless (더블레스 산후조리원) in Nowon
- Haneul Gorae / Sky Whale (하늘고래산후조리원) in Osan. Here's a review in English.
- Lebois (르보아 산후조리원) in Sejong
- S.R. Kwak (곽생로산후조리원) in Seongnam
Busan
- Jamo Women's Hospital (자모여성병원) in Busan
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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.
