[Voices of Japanese Parents Abroad_Korea Vol. 2] Postpartum Recovery in Korea—A Time to Truly Rest

Satoko lives in the quiet rural town of Haenam, located in the southwestern part of South Korea, where she is raising five children. In Korea, there are dedicated facilities designed to ensure that mothers can properly rest after childbirth. We spoke with Satoko about postpartum life in Korea.

“Postpartum Is a Time to Rest” — The Choriwon, a Product of Korean Culture

―Could you tell us about "Choriwon" (postpartum care centers), which are unique to Korea?

In Korea, there is a strong belief that mothers must rest properly after giving birth, which is why Choriwon facilities have become widespread. I heard that this custom originated from the experiences of grandmothers who became ill from doing farm work immediately after giving birth. A

Choriwon is a place where mothers and babies stay together, and the facility takes care of everything except for taking care of their own personal needs. All you need to bring are cosmetics, toiletries, and underwear, and all meals and laundry are provided. The meals are luxurious and delicious, with three meals a day plus three snacks (such as pumpkin porridge, black sesame porridge, and red bean porridge). There are also programs such as parenting classes, yoga, and paid massages.

―How much does it cost to use a Choriwon?

The cost of a Choriwon is usually several hundred thousand won for two weeks. Most places charge around 600,000 won, but in Haenam, where I live, there is a Choriwon (postpartum care facility) built by Jeollanam-do, and residents of Jeollanam-do are eligible for a discount, so anyone who wants to can use it. The cost is around 400,000 won, which is on the cheaper side. Foreigners are eligible for an even greater discount, and I was able to use it for about 40,000 won out of pocket from my first child. Jeollanam-do covered all other expenses.

The length of hospital stay after childbirth varies depending on the hospital, but in the case of a natural birth, you are discharged in about 3 to 5 days and then move to the Choriwon. You can choose to stay at the Choriwon for 1 or 2 weeks, and you can stay for up to 3 weeks, but it is popular so it seems that few people can stay for 3 weeks. I stayed for 2 weeks.

Meals at a Choriwon (provided by Satoko)

Postpartum Care Supported by the State and Local Governments — Visiting Helpers “Doumi”

―Could you also tell us about the public system of "Toumi" (visiting helper) as a form of postpartum support?

In Korea, after giving birth, you can call a visiting helper called a "Toumi," who is like a babysitter. These women are experienced in handling babies and have received professional training.

The cost varies depending on income, but Toumi support provided by "multicultural centers" for international families is completely free. It seems that this is run by the government.

Toumi usually come from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and help with baby care, cleaning, laundry, and general housework, supporting the mother so that she can rest. I was able to use it for about a month (about 19 days excluding weekends). If you combine the system well, such as using Toumi after using Choriwon (a type of postpartum care), it is possible to rest for about 100 days after giving birth.

―Are there any maternity benefits or financial support related to childcare?

There are systems in place to provide maternity benefits from Jeollanam-do Province, the South Korean government, and Haenam City.

However, it is not possible to receive the lump-sum maternity payment or other maternity-related money in the name of a foreign wife. This is because there have been cases where some foreign wives have received the maternity benefits and then run away with their children, or even abandoned them. In fact, there is a serious problem where communities exist that are formed to run away with money. For this reason, in my case, everything is deposited into an account in my husband's name.

Community Support and Changes in My Husband

―Were you able to expect any childcare support from family or relatives? Also, how did you seek help from the community?

My husband has seven siblings, but his sister who lives next door is in poor health, and other relatives either live far away or are busy with work, so it was difficult to rely on them.

However, when we were in trouble, such as when we were using the childcare service, acquaintances would look after our older children, which was a great help. Also, the fact that my husband is the neighborhood association president worked to our advantage in terms of community cooperation. In Korea, neighborhood association presidents tend to be trusted and respected, so when we had no other choice but to ask for emergency childcare, we knew that "if we asked, people in the community would somehow manage," which was a great help.

―How do you and your husband divide childcare and housework?

My husband is basically work-centered, and when it comes to housework, he's the type who "doesn't see" it, so he doesn't seem to notice even when the laundry and dishes are piling up (laughs). He didn't used to be very proactive in doing housework or childcare. However, when I was really unable to move during the home birth of our fifth child, my husband did all the housework and childcare for the first time. I feel like my husband has had a bit of a change of heart since the birth of our fifth child. He's busy with work now, but he's also helping out with things like taking the children to daycare.

Children playing on the beach (Photo provided by Satoko)

[Overseas Parenting Column - South Korea]
Vol. 1: Giving Birth in South Korea (5 Parts)
Vol. 2: Proper Postpartum Care in South Korea
Vol. 3: Parenting and Education in Rural Areas
Vol. 4: The Reality of South Korea's Declining Birthrate
Vol. 5: Beloved Children in South Korea

Family Dialogue・Column