The B-day is very close. This is a time for waiting. And for choosing. First of all choosing the name (we are getting there!), but above all to decide in which place Doro will give birth. We have spent a lot of time visiting many possible locations. We hired a canadian Doula (what is doula?), Lisa, who gave us all the necessary information. We have also followed her hypnobirthing course. It was really fun, I recommend it to all people who will give birth here in Seoul.
What I found is that the three main options where to give birth for an expat here are (i) the Soon Chung Yang, a relatively big and very modern hospital in the center of Seoul, in Itaewon, (ii) the Mediflower, a private clinic specialised for natural birth, recently started by Dr. Chung, and (iii) a midwife center in Ansan, a village 40 mins south of Seoul, held by Rosa, a very experienced midwife. They are all good place, and I recommend all three of them. The first place does not retain the look of an hospital, still they have shown us how they ready for any emergency, and have an intensive care center of newborns. The second option, Mediflower, is very professional and modern and with all the necessary for natural birth. Finally the third option mainly relies on the immense experience of Rosa (30 years, in which she assisted 10,000 births!), and by her charming personality. Mainly based on our feeling, our trust in her, we decided for Rosa, the last option.
This means that when the day will come we will have to be ready to get a taxi and go to Ansan while Dorothea will probably be already in labour. Lisa, the doula, warned us that we will have to be prompt and quick as the second birth is often significantly faster than the first one! This also means that if the labour starts in the night, we will have to get a taxi by then. For such a special situation there are luxury International (Black) Taxis. I have found the number to call. I really wondered whether the taxi might refuse to get a women in labour on board for a 40 minutes (at least!) drive. But the doula guaranteed us that there will be no problem, and that everybody in Seoul uses taxis to go the hospital to give birth, since such a small number of families own a car. It is normal, just one is expected to pay some extra! Wow, let's see how that will work!
Anyway last week we went to see Rosa, the last time before the birth, and we have made few photos. The village itself does not look great, but the birth center of Rosa yes, it is really warm and welcoming inside. However it is outside that we made most photos. Actually this was our second visit there. The first time I have photographed the place, but it was a very foggy (or smoggy?) day.
This time instead the weather was much nicer (Autumn is the best season in Korea!), and we found that, compared to few months ago, many places have been renovated. Things change at the speed of light here! Marlen played with some pig-shaped statues on the street-side.
While Doro went to visit Rosa first I took Marlen to eat a giant Hamburger. It was larger of her head, but she has eaten all of it, as usual!
After the visit we took some pictures in front of the entrance of the birthing place. Unfortunately they are a bit dark and slightly unfocused, just because I hate using the flash!
The birthing center is in a large store. There is an hairdresser, a dentist and much more. It seems quite unorganized. The first time that I was here I was quite unimpressed by the location, but Dorothea likes Rosa and her place so much, that I feel that it is the right place. And now I am getting used at the local style, so I believe that it is ok. A unique place, let's say...
Among the things that they have just built there is a new street, where cars are not allowed, with modern shops, and even an Apple store...
...and in the middle of the street false trees with false flowers and very loud speakers playing music no-stop...
...and of course sexy lingerie. That's Korea!
Before going back, we made a tour in Ansan. This place, 40 minutes away from Seoul, maintains its "classical korean style", with huge stores with hundreds of shops inside. Honestly today, under the bright light of a blue sky, the place looked much better compared to our first visit. Let's say, a modest version of Times Square...
And some very interesting fashion shops... they have everything...
At a certain point we managed to put Marlen to sleep and we were ready to go for lunch!
On the way to the restaurant we saw (first time since when we arrived in Seoul!) cleaning the windows of one of these huge building. Looking at how how hard is to do that, I understand why the windows are always so grey and dirty! I still think that there must be a way to plan window cleaning ahead, but probably they just don't think about it when they build a new place. They just focus on the next big store to build! For us a grey window inevitably brings to depression, it is sign of abandon and shabbiness, but here it is just normal. So this was a remarkable view!
The restaurant was really good. It is part of chain, but of good quality and reasonable price. I have gotten a korean sausage, which is a very spicy mixture of meat and transparent noodles. Marlen just woke up to eat (again!).
Finally we were ready to go back home. It was again almost one hour of train. Marlen played and shared a biscuit with a little child. Children don't need a common language.
Back home, Doro had again contractions. The B-day is not far!
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