Chef Obang just delivered more than a baby in South Korea. She unwrapped the recipe for world-class maternity care.
Cebuano food content creator Chef Obang gave birth to her first child in South Korea, drawing attention to the country’s excellent maternity care system and incentives. Her journey through South Korea’s maternity system became a study in how the country’s policy supports new mothers. This event highlights both the beauty of childbirth in South Korea and the support for new mothers in a progressive nation with policies that promote their well-being.
Bun Out of the Oven
At 1:30 AM on June 27, Chef Obang’s water broke unexpectedly, sending her into early labor. The delivery of Chef Obang took place in a leading Korean maternity hospital, where she underwent monitoring before the doctors determined that the baby was breech and needed surgery. In her social media post, she described the surreal feeling she experienced after hearing her first daughter cry during the prep. After the birthing and surgeries took place, an extended two-week hospital stay is a standard practice in Korea’s postpartum care system, where the nurses provide 24/7 support while the mothers recover.
Korea’s Birthing Incentives Program
The birth rate in South Korea occurred despite a record low fertility rate. To combat this problem, national and municipal governments implemented one of the world’s most comprehensive packages of birth incentives. Prenatal care vouchers worth ₱40,000 for checkups, medications, and Postpartum support vouchers of ₱80,000 for essential purchases. Moreover, the monthly child allowance of ₱40,000 will continue through early childhood, along with a direct cash gift from the local government.
Great Korean Baby Boom Plan
Beyond the financial incentives, Chef Obang’s experience highlighted Korea’s unique blend of traditional and modern postpartum care within the country’s healthcare system. A medically supervised recovery program is an integral part of the care, and nutritious meals are provided during the recovery process. Additionally, professional newborn care training sessions are available for parents, enabling them to learn what to do after the birth and what to expect. This approach has reduced maternal complications while it gives parents support during their vulnerable postpartum period.
From navigating C-section recovery to utilizing her birth experience, Chef Obang continues to share her journey. This stands on her expertise on how policy can transform one of life’s most challenging transitions. South Korea’s postpartum model demonstrates that, with proper support, this period can be a time of healing rather than hardship, setting a new global standard for maternal welfare.
