Writer: Suphanida Thakral
When I found out I was pregnant with my firstborn in Bangkok, I stumbled (quite literally) into a Choices in Childbirth meeting run by the Doulas of Bangkok at Bumpsy Daisy café on Sukhumvit 31. I only went because I lived down the street, but that “accident” shaped the course of my entire birth experience.
One piece of advice stuck with me:
“If you want a natural birth in Thailand, choose your doctor and hospital wisely.”
Why Natural Birth Felt Important to Me
C-sections are very common in Thailand because it’s convenient and can be scheduled ahead of time. Plus, there’s a lot of superstition about choosing the exact date and time of birth. Personally, most people around me (including my mum) have had C-sections.
The care at private hospitals (especially the top tier international ones like Bamrungrad International, Samitivej Hospital, MedPark, and BNH Hospital) here are indeed excellent, but most doctors are still geared towards C-sections as the “default”.
But the more I learned about the benefits of natural birth (and the more I realized how anxious medical procedures made me), the more I craved a different path. That’s when I found my doula, Rasee Govindani, and eventually Dr. Kanoknat (Dr. Amy) at Samitivej Srinakarin. Together, they gave me the support and reassurance I needed.
My First Birth Story
At 41 weeks, my labor began naturally — just hours before I was due for a membrane sweep. It started slow, then picked up pace. I had doula Yaz there with me giving me hypnobirthing tips and best positions to labour in. She was my back-up doula as Rasee was tied down with a different birth.
That’s one thing nice about the Doulas of Bangkok group. They all work together and act as back-ups for each other as birth is so unpredictable. They also have good working relations with the key pro-natural doctors in the city (including Dr. Kanoknat).
So Yaz actually messaged Dr. Kanoknat when I was in labour and, as she happed to live down the street from me, even came to check me at home! Doctors visiting patients at home is something totally unheard of in Bangkok, and it’s something I really appreciate.
Rasee soon came and took over from Yaz. And by midnight, we (Rasee, my husband, and I) were at the hospital.
The birth was long. But the birthing room was such a dream. Dimmed lights, lots of space, and an almost convivial atmosphere chatting with my Rasee and Dr. Kanoknat in between contractions. There was even a bath tub and Rasee brought fairy lights for it. I took a dip but I didn’t like it, so laboured out of the water.
Over the course of 12 hours, my waters were broken, I got pitocin, and eventually asked for an epidural at close to 9 cm dilated. The pushing stage was equally long – around two hours, and then I finally had a healthy baby in my arms.
I feel so blessed to have had a positive birth experience. Despite the challenges and certain things not going to plan, I feel lucky to have given birth at Samitivej Srinkarin with Dr. Kanoknat. My birth plan was respected, there were no outdated practice enforced (like forcing me lie down on the bed or getting an episiotomy), and the baby was not taken away from me for hours.
My Second Birth Story
My second labor was a little more dramatic. Because I was Group Strep B (GBS) positive and lived far from the hospital (we moved to the other side of Bangkok), we decided on a membrane sweep at 40 weeks. This was a spontaneous decision at a routine appointment so it was completely unexpected.
Afterward, my husband and I checked into The Four Wings hotel (the nearest hotel to the hospital) as we didn’t want to drive all the way home. The plan was that we would be back at the hospital the next morning to induce labour, if I didn’t already go into labour naturally.
Luckily, I did. And, beleive it or not, I went for a 2 a.m walk in my bathrobes in the hotel lobby while I was in early labour. The hotel staff probably thought I was nuts!
By dawn, I was back at the hospital, hooked up for antibiotics, and once again asking for an epidural at the very last moment. Things got tricky with baby’s heart rate, but with Rasee and Dr. Kanoknat by my side, I avoided an emergency C-section.
Just 10 minutes of pushing later, my son was born, at the exact same time of day as his big sister!
Like my first birth, this one was equally positive. Not because everything went smoothly, but because I felt safe, respected, and truly cared for. Dr. Kanoknat did everything in her power not only to deliver the baby safely and make sure I was physically okay, but also did things in the gentlest way possible.
And for that, I am forever grateful.
The Power of Skin-to-Skin After Birth
Both my babies went straight to skin-to-skin contact after birth. With my daughter, it was with her dad, and with my son, it was with me. Those first cuddles were incredibly precious, espcially knowing the benefits it has from a biological perspective:
- Regulating temperature
- Encouraging bonding and breastfeeding
- Supporting a baby’s microbiome.
It was also nice knowing that I had been using Conscious Living’s Body Wash during the entire duration of my pregnancy, as well as on the day I headed to the hopsital to give birth.
As the body wash is completely free from synthetic chemcials and fragrances, this meant that my newborns were smelling “me”, not rose perfume or artifical fresh linen. Plus, it’s probiotic so it balances my skin’s (and that of my baby as I also used the Innocence Baby Wash) microbiome. This was something important to me as I had to have many rounds of antibiotics during my second labour.
Delaying Baby’s First Bath
On a similar note, I also delayed baby’s first bath as advised by the World Health Organization.
Delaying newborn baths keeps the protective vernix intact, also helps with temperature regulation, and makes the transition to the outside world gentler. But it’s not the default in Thai hospitals and you often have to specifically request it.
My daughter’s was delayed by 24 hours (and I brought my own Innocence Baby Wash for the hospital to use as I wanted something completely chemical free and gentle). My son’s was delayed by a full week, since his sister was sick at the time and I wanted his natural immunity to be as strong as possible.
Choosing Wisely in Thailand
One of the biggest lessons I learned from giving birth in Thailand is that policies vary widely depending on the hospital and doctor. Some hospitals will charge extra (yes, really — I was once told 6,000 THB!) just to allow skin-to-skin after birth. Others won’t allow it all together and the baby (even a healthy baby) might be taken away from mum for hours after birth.
Some hospitals will force you to lie down and give birth on your back. Don’t assume your consent will be asked for every little thing – it might not. In some cases, it’s not unheard of to have an episiotomy even though you might not have needed it. And in others, there might not be an epidural option for nautral labour.
If you know you want a C-section or end up having one, only some have the option of a gentle C-section.
So if these things matter to you, make sure your doctor and hospital align with your values.
Use the Thailand Babies group to ask around for people’s experiences with certain hospitals and doctors, and get a doula if you can to help advocate for you. It makes a world of a difference. And, from my personal experience, don’t be afraid to chose a hospital further away from your home.
I went back to Samitivej Srinakarin even though it was about an hour from where I lived and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
My Final Thoughts
Both of my births in Bangkok were different, but equally beautiful. They taught me to trust my instincts, choose wisely, and honor the tiny details (like skin-to-skin and gentle care) that make a big difference in those first precious days.
If you’re preparing for your own birth or caring for a newborn, consider making small, conscious choices that protect their delicate beginnings. And if you’re looking for gentle, safe products for both you and baby, explore our Conscious Living Body Wash and Innocence Baby Wash.
Rest assured, these products are completely safe and effective, made to nurture your family’s first touch.
