Gyeonggi Province to Support Pregnancy Preparation, Childbirth, and Postpartum Care

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 2nd that it will strengthen social support from pregnancy preparation through childbirth and postpartum care this year to create a better pregnancy and childbirth environment.

To support healthy pregnancy and childbirth for reproductive-age men and women, the province will provide essential fertility examination cost support to all men and women aged 20-49, while during pregnancy will support essential nutritional supplements and medical expenses for adolescent and high-risk pregnant women, and provide psychological counseling. After childbirth, to support postpartum recovery and maternal and newborn health promotion, the province will support maternal and newborn health management service costs and postpartum care expenses, and provide eco-friendly agricultural products to mothers and pregnant women.

Yoo Young-chul, director of the Gyeonggi Province Department of Health and Wellness, said, "In an environment where reduced reproductive capacity, infertility, and high-risk pregnancies continue to increase due to trends of late marriage and advanced-age childbirth, we will strengthen support from pregnancy preparation through the postpartum period so that necessary assistance can be received in a timely manner."

The pregnancy and childbirth-related policies that the province is pursuing this year are introduced by phase.

1. Before Pregnancy

▲ Pre-Pregnancy Health Management Support

Starting this year, the target population and number of support instances will be expanded. The province will provide up to 3 instances of essential fertility examination cost support to all men and women aged 20-49, with 130,000 won for women and 50,000 won for men.

▲ Iron Supplement and Folic Acid Support

Iron supplements and folic acid, essential nutritional supplements, will be provided to reproductive-age women and pregnant women, and health services related to pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare such as breastfeeding education will be provided.

2. During Pregnancy

▲ Infertility and Pregnancy Psychological Counseling Center Operations

Professional counseling services will be provided to infertile couples and pregnant women for psychological relief and stress reduction and health promotion. Applications are available at 2 Gyeonggi Province regional infertility and pregnancy psychological counseling centers (Southern region - Population, Health and Welfare Association Gyeonggi Province Branch, Northern region - Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital). In particular, starting this year, the northern center will operate the Gyeonggi Province Pregnancy and Childbirth Classes, where couples can receive systematic education on pregnancy and childbirth together.

▲ Transportation Cost Support for Pregnant Women in Delivery-Vulnerable Areas

Pregnant women residing in delivery-vulnerable areas (Yeoncheon, Gapyeong, Yangpyeong, Anseong, Pocheon, and Yeoju) will receive up to 1 million won in transportation cost support. Pregnant women will receive support in the form of card points and can use it for transportation expenses. (Scheduled to be implemented in April)

▲ High-Risk Pregnant Women Medical Expense Support

Pregnant women diagnosed with 19 types of high-risk pregnancy diseases will be supported with up to 3 million won per person for 100% of copayment for appropriate treatment and management and 90% of non-covered medical treatment costs.

▲ Adolescent Mother Medical Expense Support

For adolescent mothers aged 19 or younger, up to 1.2 million won per pregnancy will be supported for pregnancy and childbirth medical expenses, pharmaceutical and medical supply purchase costs.

3. After Childbirth

▲ Maternal and Newborn Health Management Service Support

The province supports maternal and newborn health management service costs for childbirth families in the province. Since 2024, regardless of income level, all childbirth families in the province will be supported with maternal and newborn health management, newborn care education, and household activity support services.

▲ Postpartum Care Cost Support

The province provides 500,000 won per newborn for postpartum care costs to childbirth families in the province. Support is provided in the form of local currency that can be used for postpartum care expenses regardless of region or seller sales limits.

4. During Pregnancy and After Childbirth

▲ Eco-Friendly Agricultural Product Support for Pregnant Women

For mothers who gave birth on or after January 1, 2024, or pregnant women at the time of application, up to 400,000 won per person (including 80,000 won personal contribution) will be supported for the purchase of eco-friendly agricultural products such as organic and pesticide-free agricultural products. Applications can be made online through the 'Gyeonggi Civil Affairs 24 System' and can also be submitted in writing at city, county, or district offices or at eup, myeon, or dong offices.

In addition, the province is providing support for operation costs of high-risk maternal and newborn integrated treatment centers, neonatal intensive care regional centers, and public postpartum care facilities. Detailed information on each project is available on the Gyeonggi Province website (gg.go.kr) and the health center websites of your residence area.