A two-week stay at a Seoul postnatal care center will cost an average of 3 million won ($2,500) for mothers, according to the city on Wednesday. 

A survey of 159 postpartum care centers in Seoul showed that the most expensive postnatal facility was located in Gangnam-gu, where mothers pay at least 600,000 won per night. The cheapest stay was available in Gangseo-gu, at 100,000 won per night.

Postnatal care centers’ popularity has been soaring among mothers, as newborns are taken care of by nurses in a special room, while mothers can rest in boutique-like rooms, receive massages and even take child-nurturing classes. 

Despite the high demand for postnatal care centers, there is no comprehensive management or regulation under the jurisdiction of the Mother-Child Health Act on operating postnatal centers or hiring postnatal caregivers.

According to a city official, Seoul City checks the number of employees and hygiene conditions at postnatal care centers from time to time but there are no standardized guidelines on monitoring the industry. 

All the surveyed postnatal care centers that cost over 5 million won for a two-week stay were located in the posh Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu districts, in southern Seoul. 

One postnatal care center in Gangnam-gu provides a premium stay at 25 million won for 2 weeks, featuring a luxury spa service and in-house facial care program. 

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)