Unassisted Births in Korea

First of all, unassisted births are legal in Korea. Babies come when they are ready. You cannot always control when or where that happens. There are two categories of unassisted births: planned and unplanned. I've know about a dozen people who have had unassisted births here.

• Some were deliberately planned and others just happened. 
• No one had any issues getting the proper paperwork for their baby. 
• No one was investigated by Child Services. 
• No one had any legal problems. 

I am no advocating for or against unassisted births. I'm simply explaining the facts of what happened.

Options Available

If you have an unassisted birth, you usually have a couple of options available. If it is not planned, then chances are you will either call the midwife (if you were planning on a home birth), the call the ambulance (119, they will transfer you to an English speaker), or go to the hospital or clinic.

Remember to keep mom and baby warm and do not cut the cord. I know that some people wait to go to the hospital, a few hours, maybe overnight. If that's the case, you need to research about cutting the cord or preserving it properly (like for a Lotus Birth) so that infection doesn't set it. It is very easy for infection to set it. The cord and placenta become a decaying organ and that's going straight to your baby's gut. Please do your research about what you should do. Here's one article and another which uses herbs and salt, and another which uses witch hazel, herbs, and salt. 

Paperwork and Tests Required

You and your baby will most likely have some tests done to prove that you are indeed the mother. I haven't heard of anyone needing any witnesses. The hospital will then issue you with a birth certificate. If you need to get your child a foreign passport, you're going to have to ask the embassy what you need. Do not ask me. Ask the embassy. They accept the forms, not me. You may also need to have any Korean documents translated either officially or unofficially. Some common requirements are:

• Proof that you were pregnant (prenatal records such as ultrasounds, prescriptions, or receipts)
• Your baby's birth certificate
• Proof that you can pass on citizenship (ask the embassy)
• Your ID and passport
• A photo
• Application form
• Fee
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Divorce certificates (if applicable)
• Your partner's ID and passport (if applicable)
• DNA tests (if applicable)

Safety

If you are planning an unassisted birth, please do so safely. There is a lot of information online as well as home birth kits and checklists of things as well as articles with useful info. I know that there are Facebook groups as well. Most are closed, some are secret. Ask around and I'm sure you can get added to them.

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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.