소비자 입장에서 본 출산문화 비교

Abstract

This paper aims to find out the differences and the similarities in childbirth among Korea, France and Puerto Rico of U.S.A., based on the personal experiences. It was intended to provide consumer’s view during pregnancy and delivery in Korea. My first was a forceps delivery in a university hospital of Seoul(1984) without any information. Although obstetrician had examined my second pregnancy, only midwives helped my delivery in general hospital of Curbevoie nearby Paris in France(1989). My last was a painless delivery in the San Juan hospital of Puerto Rico(1998). There were not many differences among them, because every procedure of 3 countries were under the western medical system. But the traditional culture made the slight differences. The Korean delivery system of hospital was influenced by the Japanese, such as shaving hair, an enema and an incision of the perineum. In the consumer’s view, it was made for doctor’s convenience. French system was the best for me, because most of the expenditure was free and brand new mother was hospitalized for 7 days so that one could be recovered fully. Furthermore the nurse taught the mother how to take care of her infant. Nowadays South Korea has one of the lowest birthrates in the world(1.41%). If the economic burden of childbirth was not only individual but also society like France, the birthrates might be increased. If the midwives co-worked in hospital, it could reduce the price and provide better medical care to mother and infant.