Expecting in Korea? Your First OB/GYN Visit Guide!

Hello! This is Maeil Hangeul (매일한글), here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Are you living in Korea and thinking about starting a family? Or maybe you’re just curious about medical-related Korean? Today, we’re diving into a very important topic: the essential phrases you’ll need for your first visit to a 산부인과 (sanbuingwa), or an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) clinic.

These days in Korea, with hit K-dramas like ‘Birthcare Center’ (산후조리원), conversations around pregnancy and childbirth are more open than ever. So, learning these phrases will not only help you in a real-life situation but also help you understand modern Korean culture better. Let’s get you prepared and confident!

Core Expressions for Your First Visit

Here are three key phrases that will be incredibly helpful during your first consultation.

1. I think I might be pregnant.

• Korean: 임신한 것 같아요.
• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Imsinhan geot gatayo.
• English Meaning: I think I’m pregnant. / It seems like I’m pregnant.
• Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect way to state your reason for visiting. The grammar pattern -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 is fantastic for expressing a supposition, guess, or opinion gently. Instead of stating “I am pregnant” (저는 임신했어요), which is very direct, this phrase is softer and more common for an initial consultation.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Let’s look at 같아요 [gatayo]. The final consonant ‘ㅌ’ (t) in ‘같’ is followed by the vowel ‘아’ (a). While you might expect a strong, airy ‘t’ sound, in this position, it often softens to sound more like a clear [t] or even a [d] in fast, natural speech. Practice saying it smoothly, not “gat-ayo” but “ga-ta-yo.” This subtle change makes you sound much more natural!

2. When is the estimated due date?

• Korean: 출산 예정일이 언제인가요?
• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Chulsan yejeongiri eonjeingayo?
• English Meaning: When is the estimated due date?
• Detailed Explanation: This is one of the most exciting questions you’ll ask! Let’s break it down:
  • 출산 (chulsan): Childbirth
  • 예정일 (yejeongil): Scheduled date / Due date
  • 언제인가요? (eonjeingayo?): When is it? (a polite form of 언제예요?)
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Listen closely to 예정일이 [yejeongiri]. This is a perfect example of a rule called 연음 (yeoneum), or ‘liaison.’ The final consonant ‘ㄹ’ (l/r) of the syllable ‘일’ (il) “links” or moves over to the next syllable, which starts with the placeholder vowel ‘이’ (i). So, instead of a choppy “ye-jeong-il / i,” it flows beautifully as [ye-jeong-i-ri]. You’ll find this rule everywhere in Korean!

3. I have severe morning sickness.

• Korean: 입덧이 심해요.
• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Ipdeosi simhaeyo.
• English Meaning: I have severe morning sickness.
• Detailed Explanation: A very common symptom to report. 입덧 (ipdeot) is the specific word for ‘morning sickness.’ 심해요 (simhaeyo) comes from the verb 심하다 (simhada), meaning ‘to be severe’ or ‘to be extreme.’ You can use 심해요 for many things, like “두통이 심해요” (I have a severe headache).
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Here’s another great example of 연음 (yeoneum)! In 입덧이, the final consonant ‘ㅅ’ (s) from ‘덧’ (deot) moves over to the next syllable ‘이’ (i). Therefore, it is not pronounced “ip-deot / i,” but as the smooth, connected [입더시/ipdeosi]. Mastering this will instantly make your Korean pronunciation level up!

Example Dialogue (예시 대화문)

Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation at the clinic.

• 의사 (Doctor A): 안녕하세요, 어떻게 오셨어요? (Hello, what brings you here today?)
• 환자 (Patient B): 안녕하세요. 제가 임신한 것 같아요. (Hello. I think I might be pregnant.)
• 의사 (Doctor A): 네, 알겠습니다. 초음파 검사 한번 해볼게요… (Okay, I see. Let’s do an ultrasound…)
  (A few moments later)
• 의사 (Doctor A): 축하합니다! 임신 8주차시네요. (Congratulations! You’re 8 weeks pregnant.)
• 환자 (Patient B): 정말요? 그럼 출산 예정일이 언제인가요? (Really? Then when is the estimated due date?)
• 의사 (Doctor A): 11월 20일경입니다. 혹시 불편한 증상 있으세요? (It’s around November 20th. Are you experiencing any uncomfortable symptoms?)
• 환자 (Patient B): 네, 요즘 입덧이 심해요. (Yes, my morning sickness has been severe lately.)
• 의사 (Doctor A): 그건 아주 자연스러운 증상이에요. 걱정 마세요. (That’s a very natural symptom. Don’t worry.)

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

In Korea, the journey of pregnancy and childbirth is deeply supported by a unique infrastructure. If you watch the K-drama ‘Birthcare Center’ (산후조리원), you’ll get a fascinating (and funny!) look into 산후조리원 (sanhujoriwon).

These are postpartum care centers where new mothers stay for a couple of weeks after giving birth. They receive 24/7 care for themselves and their newborns, including nutritious meals, massages, and lessons on how to care for the baby. It’s an almost standard practice for new mothers in Korea and highlights the cultural emphasis on a mother’s full recovery after childbirth. Knowing this term will definitely make you sound like a local!

Wrap-up & Practice!

Great job today! You’ve learned three essential phrases for navigating your first OB/GYN visit in Korea, from expressing your suspicion to asking key questions. You also learned some crucial pronunciation rules that will help you sound more natural.

Now, let’s practice!

1. Fill in the blank: You want to tell the doctor that you have a severe stomachache (stomachache = 복통). How would you say it?
   

   복통이 _______.

2. Sentence Making: Using the grammar point -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다, how would you say “I think it’s going to rain”? (to rain = 비가 오다).

Leave your answers in the comments below! We’d love to see you try out today’s expressions. 화이팅! (Fighting!)