A natural approach to childbirth in the heart of Seoul: Inside Yeon & Nature Clinic

In the bustling Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, known for its cutting-edge medical facilities and high-tech approach to healthcare, one clinic stands out for its commitment to a more natural approach to childbirth.

Yeon & Nature Clinic, under the leadership of Dr. Park Jie-won, is leading the natural birth model, which emphasizes minimal medical intervention and empowers mothers throughout their pregnancy and birth journey.

Korea Biomedical Review recently met with Park to learn more about the natural birth landscape in Korea and how her clinic operates.

The rise of natural childbirth and Yeon & Nature's approach

Natural or physiological birth has gained traction in Korea in recent decades as a response to the increasing medicalization of childbirth.

Such an approach comes as the cesarean section rate in Korea hovers around 45 percent, which is well above the World Health Organization (WHO) 's recommended rate of 10-15 percent.

As Korea grapples with one of the world's lowest fertility rates, clinics like Yeon & Nature may point the way toward maternity care that prioritizes not just safety but also the autonomy and well-being of mothers. Many of Yeon & Nature's methods align with WHO recommendations for positive childbirth experiences.

The natural birth approach aims to support the normal process of labor and delivery with minimal technological or pharmaceutical interventions. Those who advocate the method argue that for low-risk pregnancies, allowing labor to progress naturally often leads to better outcomes for both mother and baby.

As the concept of natural childbirth is still relatively new in Korea, Park is working to change this, one birth at a time.

"Natural childbirth, often misunderstood, isn't about completely eschewing medical interventions but rather about minimizing unnecessary ones," Park said. "In Korea, interventions such as epidurals, induced labor, and other procedures have become routine and these practices, while often necessary, can sometimes overshadow the natural process of birth."

At Yeon & Nature, the focus is on preparing mothers physically and mentally for childbirth, seeing it as a natural, physiological process that typically requires less medical interference when adequately supported, she added.

Park emphasized that Yeon & Nature's philosophy is rooted in evidence-based practices rather than extreme natural birth advocacy.

The clinic avoids practices like routine episiotomies or separating newborns from mothers, while still closely monitoring the health of the mother and the baby.

They aim to support physiological birth when possible but have systems in place to quickly transfer patients to partner hospitals if complications arise.

A cornerstone of Yeon & Nature's approach is comprehensive prenatal education and preparation.

Park stresses the importance of nutrition, exercise, and mental preparation during pregnancy. The clinic invests significant time in patient education, ensuring expectant mothers understand the process and can make informed decisions.

This approach contrasts with what Park has been recently seeing for many pregnant women in Korea, where patients often assume hospitals will manage everything without their input. At Yeon & Nature, mothers are active participants in their care from the outset.

Personalized care and patient experiences

The clinic's small scale allows for highly personalized care. Staff accommodates various needs, from halal meals for Muslim patients to detailed birth plans.

Notably, Park stressed that about 30 percent of patients at her clinic are expatriates or foreigners, attracted by English-speaking staff and natural birth expertise.

Unlike many Korean hospitals that routinely send newborns to nurseries, Yeon & Nature promotes rooming-in and immediate skin-to-skin contact between mothers and babies, aligning with research showing the benefits of early bonding and breastfeeding initiation.

The clinic's impact on patients is evident in the heartfelt testimonials they receive.

Displayed prominently in the office is a touching plaque from a foreign couple, Dela and Rita, expressing their profound gratitude for the care they received. Park recalls with fondness similar gestures from other notable patients, including former NC Dinos pitcher Eric Hacker and his family.

During the interview, Park also introduced recent parents Gabriela Rechia Krugel and Thiago Dotto, who welcomed their baby boy Francisco on Aug. 1.

The Brazilian couple chose the clinic based on recommendations and their own research for a more natural birthing approach.

"Park was really the main reason I actually felt confident to be here," Krugel explained. The couple appreciated the clinic's similarity to practices in Brazil, where they could select their preferred doctor and have a more personalized experience.

Dotto highlighted the importance of familiarity in their decision.

"The procedures here are totally different than in Brazil," he said. "We were looking for something much more familiar for us in terms of the process and procedure."

Krugel added that the clinic's policies, such as allowing husbands to be present during C-sections if needed and permitting their older son to visit, were crucial factors in their choice.

Challenges and future prospects

While natural childbirth is gaining acceptance globally, it's not without controversy. Critics argue that it can be riskier than medicalized birth, particularly for high-risk pregnancies. Park acknowledges these concerns but emphasizes the importance of proper screening and monitoring.

For high-risk patients, Yeon & Nature takes a cautious and individualized approach.

"If we identify any high-risk factors, we develop a specialized care plan that may involve more frequent monitoring, collaboration with specialist consultants, or in some cases, referral to a high-risk obstetric unit," Park said.

The clinic maintains strong partnerships with nearby hospitals equipped to handle complex cases. This allows them to transfer patients quickly if complications arise during labor.

"Our goal is to support natural birth when it's safe to do so, but we never compromise on maternal or fetal safety," Park emphasized. "We have clear protocols in place for when to intervene or transfer care."

The clinic's premium pricing does create an access barrier, but Park argues that this allows for a level of personalized care that justifies the cost.

"There's a price hurdle," she explains, "but once patients overcome that, they can really consider if this is what they want and if they're willing to invest the effort."

This effort goes beyond financial investment. Park emphasizes that patients must be prepared to take an active role in their pregnancy and birth process.

This includes making lifestyle changes, such as adjusting diet and exercise habits. The clinic provides detailed guidance on these aspects, closely monitoring factors like BMI and weight gain, and offering nutritional advice tailored to each patient's needs.

Unlike typical obstetrics appointments that might involve a quick ultrasound and check-up, Yeon & Nature's approach is more comprehensive and time-intensive.

"We don't just ask if you've eaten, we ask how you've eaten," she said. "This attention to detail allows the clinic to address potential issues proactively, from anemia to gestational diabetes."

While this level of involvement can be challenging for some patients, Park acknowledges it can feel like pressure or even an invasion of privacy. However, Park says this approach is central to their philosophy of preventive care.

"Everything accumulates and can manifest explosively later," she said. "This intensive approach isn't suitable for everyone, and the clinic sees some patients drop out mid-way."

However, for those who commit to the process, the personalized care and education provided aim to result in better outcomes for both mother and baby, potentially justifying the higher cost, she added.

Park also believes elements of this approach could be adapted more broadly, even in less resource-intensive settings. Simple interventions like encouraging patients to take the stairs for exercise or making small dietary changes can have significant impacts.

While the clinic's full model may not be accessible to all due to cost, these principles of patient education and lifestyle modification could potentially be implemented more widely in maternal care.

At the end of the interview, Park reflected on the transformative power of childbirth.

"When a woman is supported to give birth on her own terms, it's not just about having a baby - it's about becoming a mother in the fullest sense," she said. "That's what we're here to facilitate."