With COVID Cases Declining and In-Person Contact Resuming... Obstetrics and Gynecology Weekend Appointments Fully Booked Through August

Prenatal Checkups Delayed and Crowded
Postpartum Care Center Visits Also Contribute
Reservations Required Two Weeks in Advance at Famous Hospitals

On the 8th, citizens visiting the '33rd BEBE Baby Fair' held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, are receiving consultations related to growth albums. This exhibition, featuring about 380 domestic and international pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare brands, will be held until the 11th. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, the number of women planning to give birth is increasing. This is due to the reduced risk of COVID-19 infection and the lifting of face-to-face contact restrictions at postpartum care centers.

According to the hospital industry on the 20th, major obstetrics and gynecology clinics and women's hospitals in the Gangnam and Gangbuk areas of Seoul have recently seen an increase in reservation inquiries related to prenatal tests and regular checkups. On the weekend of the 18th at 11:50 a.m., a women's hospital located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, was crowded with people waiting for medical treatment. There were 12 couples and 3 female patients waiting. A hospital official said, "From 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., there is not a single hour with an empty slot," adding, "As COVID-19 has eased recently, there seems to be a mood to hasten birth plans."

Similarly, an obstetrics and gynecology clinic located in Gangbuk-gu is fully booked for weekend appointments through August. Ms. Kim Sookkyung (37, pseudonym) said, "It's not just about giving birth, but the fact that family visits are not allowed after childbirth is psychologically very difficult, so I am preparing for pregnancy eight months later than originally planned," adding, "As more people are making birth plans recently, appointments with famous doctors must be made at least two weeks in advance."

This phenomenon appears to be due to the reduced risk of COVID-19 infection. In fact, a research team from Massachusetts General Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, analyzed neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born to mothers who tested positive for COVID-19 and found that the likelihood of developmental delays in language or motor skills is nearly twice as high compared to general infants.

Some people are still postponing preparations considering economic conditions and COVID-19. Ms. Jung Bitna (32, pseudonym) said, "I don't think COVID-19 is completely under control yet," adding, "Before childbirth, expenses such as vitamin intake and prenatal tests cost several hundred thousand won, so I want to prepare after becoming more financially stable."

It is also noteworthy whether this will have a meaningful impact on the future increase in the number of births. According to the 'March Population Trends' recently announced by Statistics Korea, the number of births in March was 22,925, a decrease of 1,009 compared to the same month last year, but an increase compared to February (20,654).

Professor Song Jaeryong of the Department of Sociology at Kyung Hee University said, "COVID-19 has partly acted as a factor that can change the current birth patterns, leading to an upward trend," but added, "However, if economic difficulties such as global inflation worsen, the short-term COVID-19 effect will likely be offset quickly. In the long term, the birth rate is more likely to remain the same or slightly decline."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.