Actress Lee Siyoung revealed that she gave birth earlier than expected due to sudden bleeding, explaining that placenta previa was the cause.
Lee Siyoung: "Sudden bleeding led to my second child being born prematurely at 1.9kg... Hospital bill was 9 million won"
On November 28, Lee Siyoung shared the process of giving birth to her second child on her YouTube channel 'Ppushiyoung.' Lee said, "It was an unexpected 20 days of keeping a hospital diary," and added, "I ended up being hospitalized in an emergency and stayed in the hospital much longer than I thought." She explained, "I suddenly experienced bleeding and went to the hospital, where I was immediately admitted," and "They said a guardian was required, but I didn't have one," showing how she sought help from an acquaintance to be admitted.
Initially, Lee Siyoung planned to have surgery ten days after being admitted, but the bleeding became so severe that she had to undergo surgery right away. She said that as a result, her second child was born prematurely at 1.9kg and had to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Fortunately, both Lee Siyoung and her baby were discharged in good health, but she commented, "The hospital bill alone was 8,996,990 won," and added, "That placenta previa. Placenta previa isn't covered by insurance."
Placenta previa, where the placenta is located lower in the uterus than normal, requires early diagnosis and management
Placenta previa is a representative high-risk pregnancy complication that occurs in late pregnancy. It can be life-threatening for both the mother and the fetus, so early diagnosis and management are essential. The global incidence rate is about 0.3 to 0.5%, which means about 1 in every 200 pregnant women is affected.
Placenta previa refers to a condition where the placenta is located lower in the uterus than normal, completely or partially covering the cervix. The exact cause is not clearly known, but it can occur in cases such as: when there have been multiple cesarean sections; when the mother is of advanced maternal age (over 35); when there is a history of uterine surgery; or when the placenta forms abnormally due to multiple pregnancies, such as twins or more. Experts explain that minimizing uterine surgery before pregnancy, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk.
The main symptom of placenta previa is sudden bleeding, as experienced by Lee Siyoung. It often occurs suddenly after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Especially in the later stages of pregnancy, as the uterus expands, the placenta can tear, leading to massive bleeding. In such cases, the mother may develop hypovolemic shock, and the fetus may suffer from a lack of oxygen supply. Therefore, emergency surgery may be required. Research also shows that nearly half of pregnancies with placenta previa result in preterm birth before 37 weeks.
The key to treating placenta previa is to minimize bleeding while maintaining the pregnancy for as long as possible. Lifting heavy objects, traveling long distances, and standing for long periods should be avoided, and maximum rest is recommended. If the placenta covers the cervix, vaginal delivery is avoided, and a cesarean section is performed around 36 to 37 weeks.
Not covered by general private insurance... Lee Siyoung also says, "Placenta previa diagnosis made it difficult to get insurance, so I paid all costs myself"
In particular, placenta previa is classified as a pregnancy and childbirth-related complication, so it is excluded from coverage by most general private insurance policies (such as indemnity medical insurance or general disease insurance). If the mother has purchased fetal insurance (a type of children's insurance with additional maternity coverage) during pregnancy, coverage may be available through special riders. However, in Lee Siyoung's case, she said, "It was difficult to get childbirth and maternity insurance due to the placenta previa diagnosis," and explained that all medical expenses for 20 days of hospitalization, preterm birth, and NICU care were paid out of pocket without any private insurance or childbirth rider coverage.
Meanwhile, Lee Siyoung married a non-celebrity businessman in 2017 and had a son, but announced her divorce in March of this year. In July, she revealed that she became pregnant with her second child by implanting a frozen embryo without her ex-husband's consent during the divorce process, drawing public attention. Lee Siyoung's ex-husband stated, "It's true that I opposed the second pregnancy, but I will fulfill my responsibilities as a father."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
