Tokyo Pregnancy Group

February 26, 2012 -PREPARATION FOR CHILDBIRTH COUPLES YOGA WORKSHOP w/ Ronna Fujisawa

2012-01-19T12:25:00.000+09:00

Date: Sunday, February 26th, 2012
Time: 2:30pm - 5:00pm
Cost: 3,500 yen per person
Location: Yoga Tree, 5-5-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0012, Japan
www.yogatree.jp

This workshop provides the opportunity for couples together to enhance awareness and confidence in pregnancy, labor and birth.

Through discussion, gentle postures, breath work, vocal toning, meditation and massage, couples will cultivate a greater relaxation, understanding and enjoyment for childbearing. Calm and flexibility ease the birthing process, reducing pain and increasing the joy of giving birth.

Couples will practice postures together that are both beneficial and enjoyable for the rest of pregnancy and during labor. Partners feel more connected to the unborn baby.

The presence and encouragement of a women's partner is a powerful aid to labor and delivery. Partners will be supported to understand how to support the birthing mom with confidence and sensitivity.

Deepen your relationship with yourselves and your unborn child. Beneficial at any time during your pregnancy. No previous yoga experience necessary.

SPACE IS LIMITED

For inquiries and reservations, email events@yogatree.jp . Please include your full name.

Next TPG Meetings!

2012-01-11T19:28:00.000+09:00

Dear TPG Members

Do not miss our next meetings !

> January 12th in Roppongi, Olivia Arakawa from Olive Tree Birth doula service will be speaking to TPG members about 'Labour & Birth - what to expect!?'

>January 26th in Mejiro, Tsuyumi-san, the director of Japan Healthcare Info will be sharing with us more info on the 'Japanese Healthcare System'

See you then!

Distance Doula

2011-11-09T14:52:00.000+09:00

YOUR BABY YOUR BODY YOUR BIRTH

No matter where in the world you plan to birth, customized and portable support through all of the decision-making that your pregnancy and upcoming birth will require you to make.

Selena Gudino has provided birth doula and childbirth preparation services in Central Tokyo, but now offers a Distance Doula service as she currently works out of the US.

The Distance Doula package includes:

Three 50 minute sessions
One session each week for three weeks
You receive private, knowledgeable, and consistent help working through a particular concern or decision-making process.
Sessions are conducted by Skype or phone

website: www.yourbirthexperience.com
e-mail: selena@yourbirthexperience.com
phone: +1.804.855.4388

Shopping for Baby in Daikanyama

2011-10-31T20:38:00.002+09:00

If you're in the mood for lunch and boutique baby shopping, Daikanyama is the place to go. Several baby shops and cafes are all situated close together in this hip, quiet area of Tokyo. I've enjoyed spending time shopping for my baby-to-be here and wanted to pass along the information to you.

Air Buggy is located on the 3rd floor in the 17 dixsept building.

The product offering includes but is not limited to:

* a variety of strollers & car seats - Air Buggy, Quinny, Stokke, Maxi Cosi
* Baby Bjorn, Skip Hop & Inglesina products
* Bambino Mio cloth diapering system
* organic skin products for mom & baby
* some clothing and accessories

Click on the below link for more information:
Air Buggy

American Apparel is located on Kyu-Yamate Dori, farther up toward Tamagawa Dori.

The products are all made in Los Angeles, California in the US and the brand is known for their selection of hip basics.

The have clothing, bibs, hats, etc for baby and toddlers.

Click on the below link for more information:
American Apparel

Aprica is located on Kyu-Yamate Dori, very close to the train station.

The product offering includes but is not limited to:

* Aprica & Graco brands
* strollers, Japanese-style electronic bassinets, diaper bags and shoes.

Click on the below link for more information:
Aprica

Komodo Beams is located just down the side street from Aprica, behind the Yoshida & Co / Porter bag store.

Products include but are not limited to:

* organic skin care & cleaning products

* earth-friendly toys

* apparel & shoes for baby & toddlers

Click on the link below for more information: BEAMS

Blossom 39 is located next to the 17 dixsept building, across from the Collex shop.

Products include but are not limited to:

* strollers - Phil & Teds, other brands

* Aden & Anais swaddle blankets & products

* baby carriers

* apparel & hair accessories

Bonpoint is located farther up Kyu-Yamate Dori by American Apparel.

This high-end French brand carries a variety of layette, apparel and shoes for baby and toddler as well as accessories.

Click on the link below for more information: Bonpoint

Carmel Baby & Child is located on Kyu-Yamate Dori.

This high-end brand from the UK has apparel and accessories for baby and toddler. There is also a small selection of toys.

Click on the link below for more information:

Caramel Baby and Child

Combi mini is located around the corner of the former Love Girls Market shop and is close to the 17 dixsept building.

The product offering includes but is not limited to:

* Japanese-style electronic bassinet, cribs, bedding, strollers, high chairs, layette, toys and apparel.

Click on the link below for more information:

Combi Mini

The La Fuente Building located across from the 17 dixsept building. It is home to a variety of small baby shops including:

* Baby & Kids

* Beanstalk

* Dad-way

* DP Shop

* La Vie

* Markey's

* Paso a Paso

* Pampolina Kid's Store

* Tokyo Mom Diary

* Cath Kidston boutique on the ground floor

Petit Bateau is located on Kyu Yamate Dori, close to the train station.

The product offering is primarily knitwear for baby and toddler.

Click on the link below for more information:

Petit Bateau

To get a better idea of where the shops are located, I created a map for reference.
Please note this map is NOT to scale!

When you're ready for a break from shopping, DO NOT miss out on the tea light hot chocolate at the Queen's Collection Chocolate Cafe.

r.goope.jp/qc-choco-cafe

There are several cafes and restaurants in Daikanyama, but I love to go to Eataly for fabulous authentic Italian food, gelato and coffee. w.eataly.co.jp/eng/welcom.html

Happy shopping, ladies!

October 30, 2011 - Weekend Lunch Event @ T.Y. Harbor

2011-10-31T18:44:00.000+09:00

TPG members and their partners met for lunch at T.Y. Harbor in Shinagawa. Everyone had a great time getting to know each other. The turn-out was great with twenty-four members and partners attending. We will definitely plan another weekend event in November!

Japan Healthcare Info

2011-10-22T18:48:00.000+09:00

JHI is a free service that provides information about medical procedures in Japan individualized help recommending services such as English-speaking hospitals and clinics.

For a small fee, they will also personally set up appointments and help fill out documents in Japanese.

The JHI healthcare professional staff has had long experience with health care in Japan before they founded JHI, and they understand how complicated getting proper care can be even for a native speaker, much less for foreigners. To resolve this, JHI obtained a grant from the Japanese government to set up this nonprofit organization and website.

www.japanhealthinfo.com

Pottery Barn Kids Now Ships Internationally to Japan

2011-10-19T18:20:00.000+09:00

Pottery Barn Kids will now ship a limited selection of items internationally to Japan.
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

To ship items that are not available for international shipping on the Pottery Barn Kids website, use a forwarding service such as Expat Express. https://www.expatexpress.com/Expat/

The Gap & Old Navy Maternity - International Shipping to Japan

2011-10-19T18:09:00.001+09:00

The Gap and Old Navy will now ship internationally to Japan! They offer extensive collections of maternity and nursing clothing.

http://www.gap.com/products/maternity-clothing.jsp
http://www.oldnavy.com/products/maternity-clothes.jsp

Tip: BUY THE SIZE YOU WORE PRE-PREGANCY!

Pregnancy Massage: In-Home Service by Chiaki Spa

2011-10-19T17:31:00.000+09:00

www.ysmiletherapy.net/

Prenatal Pilates Presentation & Trial Class at Belly Motions Japan

2011-10-17T16:40:00.001+09:00

Belly Motions Japan is offering a special prenatal pilates demonstration and trial class to all TPG members!

When: Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 10:00am - 11:30am -and-
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 9:00am - 10:30am

Where: Belly Motions Japan in Hiroo
www.bellymotionsjapan.com

What: This class will be 90 minutes long. The first 45 minutes will be an informative presentation for moms-to-be to learn about prenatal exercise and pilates. The last 45 minutes will be a trial class.

RSVP: To secure your spot, please e-mail hello@bellymotionsjapan.com. Members may only participate in one of the special trial classes.

November 20, 2011 - Preparation for Childbirth Couples Yoga Workshop with Ronna Fujisawa

2011-10-14T11:32:00.006+09:00

Date: Sunday, November 20th, 2011
Time: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Cost: 5,000 yen per couple
Location: Yoga Tree, 5-5-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0012, Japan
www.yogatree.jp

This workshop provides the opportunity for couples together to enhance awareness and confidence in pregnancy, labor and birth.

Through discussion, gentle postures, breath work, vocal toning, meditation and massage, couples will cultivate a greater relaxation, understanding and enjoyment for childbearing. Calm and flexibility ease the birthing process, reducing pain and increasing the joy of giving birth.

Couples will practice postures together that are both beneficial and enjoyable for the rest of pregnancy and during labor. Partners feel more connected to the unborn baby.

The presence and encouragement of a women's partner is a powerful aid to labor and delivery. Partners will be supported to understand how to support the birthing mom with confidence and sensitivity.

Deepen your relationship with yourselves and your unborn child. Beneficial at any time during your pregnancy. No previous yoga experience necessary.

SPACE IS LIMITED

For inquiries and reservations, email events@yogatree.jp . Please include your full name.

Updated: Prenatal Yoga at Yoga Tree with Ronna Fujisawa

2011-10-14T10:34:00.006+09:00

Date: every Wednesday
Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm

Cost: Drop-in 2,500 yen
5 classes 11,000 yen * 25% discount for TPG members on one-time purchase of group tickets
10 classes 20,000 yen

Location:
5-5-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012, Japan
www.yogatree.jp

Pregnancy and Yoga:

Pregnancy is a precious time in your life. It is a time for taking care of yourself and your baby! Prenatal yoga will bring a lightness and more awareness during this special time. Yoga is vital for a healthy pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and finally, for the transition into a new stage in life as a mother. Through the practice of asana (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises), the mother-to-be can nourish her own body, mind, and spirit and that of her growing baby.

The Class:

This class is based on how to do a yoga practice that builds strength, flexibility and vitality, which cultivates breath awareness, deep relaxation techniques, to bond with your baby, rehearse for labor, and to prepare for a faster recovery. It is a wonderful time to experience the changes in your body with yoga in a safe and nurturing environment and to share with other pregnant women your feelings and discomforts you may have experienced during your pregnancy.

** Please note that it is appropriate to join after the 16th week of pregnancy until delivery of your baby! Recommended to join before your 32nd week of pregnancy. **

For inquiries, email Yoga Tree or ronnafujisawa@me.com

Instructor:

Ronna Fujisawa is a certified yoga instructor and trained in prenatal yoga.
Profile: www.helloyoga.com/teachers/ronna-fujisawa/

Updated: FURLA Yoga Bilingual Prenatal Yoga Classes

2011-10-10T10:57:00.001+09:00

FURLA yoga holds bilingual prenatal yoga classes on Tuesdays with Marisa and on Fridays with Dana, from 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Please check our website for schedule, reservations, and news, at www.furla.co.jp/yoga.

FURLA yoga is located steps from Omotesando Crossing on the Ginza, Chiyoda, and Hanzomon lines.

Parking in the area is also available.

Feel free to contact us at yoga@furlajapan.com, or 080-6670-1727.

3rd Trimester - Personal Account

2011-09-27T18:05:00.006+09:00

Here is a personal account of the 3rd trimester of pregnancy in Tokyo at a Japanese public hospital, continuing on from my previous posts about 1st and 2nd trimesters. Depending on which hospital you go to in Japan, there may not be alot of English available, and also this may be your first pregnancy, so I have tried to explain my experience in as much detail as possible.

As with 2nd trimester, each checkup in 3rd trimester will involve the following routine tests and measurements:
- Urine test
- Blood pressure
- Body weight
- Size of uterus
- Heart beat of baby with a Doppler
- Check for any signs of swelling in ankles and feet
- General questions such as how are you feeling and has the baby been moving, etc

The checkups during third trimester went relatively smoothly. I had a checkup every 2 weeks, and then every week in the last month of pregnancy. At each appointment the nurses helped me get the necessary birth documentation ready and provided information on what to bring to the hospital when the baby comes.

Rh-negative
My blood type is Rh-negative, and my husband is Rh-positive, so I had to receive some extra tests in third trimester. There is alot of information on the internet about this if you are in a similar situation – basically, if you are Rh-negative and your baby is Rh-positive (inherited from father), and your baby’s blood mixes with your blood, your body could respond by producing antibodies which attack the baby’s blood causing serious complications including anaemia. I had received a few blood tests in 2nd trimester to check that I wasn’t developing antibodies, and the doctor also checked on the ultrasound that the baby wasn’t developing anaemia. Then at 28 weeks, after another blood test to confirm that no antibodies had been produced, I was given an injection of Rh-immunoglobulin (to prevent the production of antibodies). If my baby is born with Rh-positive blood, I will be given another dose of Rh-immunoglobulin within 3 days after birth.

Costs for Pregnancy Check-ups in 3rd Trimester
The following is an example of the costs for maternity check-ups at a Japanese public hospital. I have Japanese national health insurance and used the yellow discount tickets from the ward office (Kuyakusho) that were received with my boshi techo.
Note - these costs are only provided as a guide. Actual costs may vary depending on which clinic/hospital you go to.
Also note that ultrasound scans cost approx. 5,000 yen each time, as it is not covered by insurance.

28 wks: 3000 yen
- regular checkup
- I didn’t have a scan this week as had one at 27 wks before I went overseas the week before
- As I am Rh-negative blood type, and my husband is Rh-positive, I also had an Rh-immunoglobulin injection (70% covered by insurance at my hospital)

31 wks: 3000 yen
- checkup, scan (my scans after 30 wks were free – I was hesitant to ask the reason why in case they charged me (☺!) but hopefully this is standard for 3rd trimester at all hospitals)

33 wks: 3000 yen
- checkup, scan (free)
- I also had an antibody-screening blood test as noted above

35 wks: 5000 yen
- checkup, scan (free), and streptococcus test

37, 38, 39, 40 wks:
- checkup, scan
- at 37 wks, will have fetal heart monitoring for 20 min to check baby’s heartbeat

I am posting this update on 3rd trimester just in case I don't get the chance to later (!) - I will try and update with the costs after 37 wks at a later date. All the best to you all with your pregnancies!

Click here for information on all 3 trimesters.

Maternity Leave in Japan

2011-09-25T21:01:00.007+09:00

Here is an overview of the Japanese maternity leave system.

The information is current as of Sep 2011, and is provided only as a guide. Please note that TPG takes no responsibility for the currency or accuracy of the information provided. As the system is subject to change, it is important that you use this information only as a guide, and confirm all the details specific to your own situation with your own company.

If you are employed as local staff by a company in Japan and have Japanese national health insurance, you are entitled to these 3 allowances:

1. Baby Bonus （出産育児一時金）
This money is to help pay for your hospital fees during birth (390,000 – 420,000 yen). This can alternatively be covered through your husband's insurance if you are not working.

2. Maternity Leave allowance（出産手当金）
This is the money to support you for 6 weeks (42 days) before and 8 weeks (56 days) after the birth. You can receive 67% of your monthly salary during this period.

3. Childcare Leave allowance（育児休業給付金）
This is the money paid monthly from 56 days after the birth until 12 mths after the birth. You can receive 50% of your monthly salary (note there is a cap). This can also be extended for an additional 6 mths, if for example you need more time to get your child into childcare.

Here is a diagram to help you visualise these support systems:

If your baby arrives early?
- You will receive reduced pre-birth maternity leave allowance (you will receive less money). The 56 days post-birth maternity allowance and 12 mths childcare allowance will be calculated from the actual date of birth.

If your baby is overdue?
- You will receive an extended pre-birth maternity leave allowance (you will receive more money). The 56 days post-birth maternity allowance and 12 mths childcare allowance will be calculated from the actual date of birth.

Steps for applying for Baby Bonus, Maternity Leave and Childcare Leave

Below is a summary of the steps for preparing the applications for the baby bonus, maternity leave and childcare leave. In Japan, it seems common that your company will organise the documentation for you, so you just need to provide the necessary information. This was a strange concept for me at first, as I wanted to know all the details! Hopefully the following information will help others in a similar situation.

1. At 12 wks, I informed my boss that I was pregnant. This allowed my company ample time to notify staff (before my belly started to become noticeable!), and also time to prepare the maternity leave documents and temporary replacement staff.

2. At 20 wks, my company asked me for the following information:

Doctor’s certificate

Confirmation of the pregnancy and estimated due date

Dates for starting and finishing maternity leave

You can start 6 weeks before due-date, and finish 12 months from the date of birth.
It is recommended to be very specific about these dates and try not to make a mistake – once the documents are submitted it is difficult to change (I made a few mistakes:)). Ask your company if you are unsure. Of course, the date you return to work will be adjusted later depending on the actual date of birth.

Whether baby will be your or your husband’s dependant（被扶養者）

Usually the father has the baby as his dependant, but if mother’s salary is higher, she could have the baby as her dependent (for tax benefits)

Where the baby will be born

Hospital name, location

3. At 28 wks, company provided the following details and requested further information:

My company provided an estimate of the amount of money that will be received for baby bonus, maternity leave, and childcare leave

They advised that this estimation was under the current law and system, and that it may change before the baby is born (once the baby is born it is usually fixed)

They requested my bank account details for the maternity allowance to be paid into
Social insurance

I had to pay for an extra 3 months of social insurance after I started maternity leave (even though I wouldn’t be working). I still don’t really understand the reason for this, but seems it happens under the Japanese system…

I was advised that payment of inhabitant tax will be my own responsibility during maternity leave. Payment slips will be sent to my home address from the ward office.
Baby bonus（出産育児一時金）

This bonus is to help pay for the hospital fees during birth
They asked me to find out if my hospital is a member of the birth medical compensation scheme （産科医療補償制度） (sankairyo hosho seido)

If NO, will receive JPY390,000.
If YES, will receive JPY420,000.

Your baby bonus can be paid directly to the hospital, or into your own bank account. In the former case, you will only need to pay the balance to the hospital (for example, if your hospital is a member of the above scheme and your total stay in hospital costs 550,000 yen, you will only need to pay 130,000yen). You will need to notify your company whether you want the baby bonus to be paid to the hospital directly or into your bank account. I chose to have the money paid directly to the hospital as this was easier (my hospital fees cost more than 420,000yen, so I arranged for the baby bonus to be paid directly to my hospital and I will pay the balance after the baby is born).

4. At 34 wks (before I started maternity leave), my company provided the documentation for:

Baby Bonus （出産育児一時金）

As mentioned above, I chose to have the baby bonus paid directly to the hospital, so my company submitted the application form to the insurance office to make direct payment to the hospital.
After the baby is born, ask your Doctor to fill in the relevant sections on the form. Ask your hospital front desk for help if you have any questions.

Maternity Leave allowance（出産手当金）

After the baby is born, ask your Doctor to fill in the relevant sections on the form. Ask your hospital front desk for help if you have any questions.

Childcare Leave allowance（育児休業給付金）

After baby is born, need to go to your bank with your bank book and get your bank’s stamp on the document (as verification of your bank account), and then send back to your company.

Supporting documents required:

Copy of front page of your boshi techo （母子手帳）
Name of your baby and your and your husband’s name
Date your baby was born (birthday)
Birth certificate from your local ward office

You will need to send these 3 forms (Baby Bonus, Maternity Leave, and Childcare Leave forms) back to your company, together with the supporting documents, no later than 56 days after your baby is born.

Click here for more information in Japanese:

Baby Bonus (出産一時金)

Maternity Leave allowance（出産手当金）　

Childcare Leave allowance（育児休業給付金）

Hope this helps and if anyone has some additional information or would like to share their own personal experience, please contact us at TPG!

TPG Meeting - ACURA Acupuncture

2011-09-24T11:57:00.000+09:00

Here is a group photo from our meeting on 22nd Sep with Taiken Jo and Yoko Onishi from ACURA Acupuncture Clinic. Taiken and Yoko introduced the concept of acupuncture and how it can help alleviate symptoms during pregnancy.

Thank you Taiken and Yoko for a very informative meeting!

Expecting in Tokyo videos

2011-09-16T15:09:00.001+09:00

These videos were made a few years ago but still have some great information about being pregnant in Tokyo.

Expecting in Tokyo Part 1
Website:
http://spinshell.tv/know/report/spinshell/expecting-in-tokyo-part-1

On Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kQbOpUfn5Y

Expecting in Tokyo Part 2
Website:
http://spinshell.tv/know/report/spinshell/expecting-in-tokyo-part-2

On Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa4jNP8D1Ew

Gymboree - Upcoming Events

2011-08-26T15:08:00.001+09:00

Here is a message from Gymboree Play & Music, one of our TPG speakers, regarding their upcoming events.

Gymboree Play & Music events for 0-5 months & expectant mothers

When & Where:

- 8/28(Sun) @ our Jiyugaoka location from 2:00-3:15pm

- 9/4(Sun) @ our Motoazabu location from 2:00-3:15pm

Cost: 1,000 yen (includes activities, refreshments and a special goody bag)

The events will be held at our Gymboree Play & Music locations in Tokyo (Motoazabu and Jiyugaoka). During the event, we hope to introduce our play, music and baby signs programs, which are targeted at this age group. We will offer refreshments and a special raffle. Participants will also all receive original Gymboree goods to take home with them.

Spaces are limited to 8 families per session.

Spaces will be filled on a first come first serve basis. (Additional sessions will be considered if needed.)

Reservations can be made by calling Gymboree directly on:

- Motoazabu 03-5449-2311

- Jiyugaoka 03-3723-0651

Website:
http://www.gymboree.jp/

Prenatal Yoga - New Fall/ Winter 2011 Schedule

2011-08-19T18:05:00.003+09:00

Prenatal Yoga with Ronna Fujisawa RYT

New Fall/ Winter 2011 schedule

Every Wednesday 11:30am - 1:00pm

Starting August 31, 2011

Location: Yoga Tree, Hiroo
Website: http://www.yogatree.jp
Teacher profile: http://www.helloyoga.com/teachers/ronna-fujisawa/
Tel: 090-2720-3344
Email: ronnafujisawa[a]me.com

Upcoming Meetings

2011-08-19T17:57:00.003+09:00

Thursday 25th August

Speaker: Dr Gabriel Symonds from the Tokyo British Clinic

Topic: When to call your doctor for your baby and immunisations.

Time: 11am-1pm

Location: TBC

Note - Dr. Sakamoto has re-scheduled to 6th October.

Thursday 8th September

Speaker: Allison Evans - Life Coach

Topic: Hypnobirthing

Time: 11am-1pm

Location: Akasaka Minato-ku

Thursday 22nd September

Speaker: Taiken Jo from ACURA Acupuncture Clinic

Topic: Oriental Medicine in relation to pregnancy / Acupuncture for Pregnancy & Labor

Time: 11am-1pm

Location: Jiyugaoka

Thursday 6th October

Speaker: Dr Sakamoto

Topic: Prenatal Care

Time: 11am-1pm

Location: TBC

Dr. Sakamoto is well-known among TPG and TMG members for his extensive experience with delivering babies for the foreign community in Tokyo. This is a meeting not to be missed!

Membership is free and open to all pregnant and trying to conceive women living in Japan. If you would like to join these meetings, please contact us!

Earthquakes in Japan - Are you prepared?

2011-08-04T18:57:00.001+09:00

It has been 5 months since the March 11 earthquake, and people may be tending to forget about preparing for the possibility of another one (I am one of these people!). There is still potential for another major earthquake to occur– we will never know when it will actually happen, so it is important to be prepared just in case - and being pregnant makes these preparations all the more important!

Here are some links on preparing your Earthquake Emergency Kit:

Earthquake Survival Manual

www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.jp/index3files/survivalmanual.pdf

Online advice for foreign nationals (Tokyo Metropolitan Govt)
www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/kinkyu/05.html

Embassy websites also have good information on how to prepare for an earthquake:

American Embassy advice

www.japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7111.html

Australian Embassy advice

www.australia.or.jp/en/consular/emergency/earthquake.php

British Embassy advice:

ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-japan/preparing-for-emergencies/earthquake-preparedness/

Other points to consider

Other than preparing an earthquake emergency kit, here are some other things you may like to consider:

- After the earthquake on 11th March, phones were congested in Tokyo, but internet/ emails were still possible. So for me, I couldn't call my husband or my family back home, but in the hours walking home after the earthquake we were able to keep in touch through sending emails from our mobile phones (Facebook is also an option). We copied all our family members on each email, and just kept clicking "reply all" when we sent an update. This was the best way to keep in touch at the time, and helped my family back home to keep calm as well as they followed our progress. The one problem I had was my mobile ran out of battery - it is a good idea to include a mobile phone battery charger in your emergency kit just in case internet is still available (buy a battery-operated charger, as electricity may not be available).

- If both phone lines and the internet are down, how will you contact your partner? If you are heavily pregnant, you will not be able to walk far, so you need to decide on a meeting point close to the house or your/ your partner’s workplace (usually the closest school yard or park will be the designated emergency evacuation point for your neighbourhood). Always make a few contingency plans - you may be out shopping for example, and have difficulty walking home. It's good to send your partner a message about what your plans are for the day, so you'll know in general each other’s whereabouts.

- How far is your hospital from home? Could you walk there if all the trains have stopped and there are no taxis available? Remember, if there is a large earthquake, it is likely that all the ambulances will be busy and may not be able to pick you up. Determine the best way to walk to the nearest hospital, print-out a map with detailed directions and store in your emergency kit.

- What if your partner is away on a business trip? Do you have a friend or work colleague living close-by who you could reach? Talk with your friends in advance - it is always good to have a chat just in case and think about alternatives.

Real life stories from TPG members
Some of our TPG members actually experienced first hand giving birth after the shock of the earthquake on March 11. Today we would like to share two of these stories with you. I remember reading these stories for the first time on the way home from work, and the emotion and worry I felt for Sarah and Charlotte, as well as feeling inspired by their courage and the positive outcomes from their traumatic experiences. Thank you so much Sarah and Charlotte for sharing your birth stories with us!!

March 11 birth story from Sarah

2011-08-04T18:30:00.002+09:00

Today we have two special March 11 birth stories to share with you from our TPG members.

Sarah sent her story to us just one month after the earthquake, and she has kindly allowed us to post it on the TPG website to share with you all.

"Here is my birth story... it's a LONG ONE!!

It all started March 11, 2011...I was 34 weeks pregnant, huge, and pretty darn happy!
As you all know, March 11 was the day the BIG earthquake hit Japan... Well, due to the earthquake and the chaos of that day, my baby suffered too much stress and almost died inside me!

Immediately after the earthquakes hit- I started to have contractions and than started to bleed very badly a few hours later.

Thank goodness at the time, I was with my dear friend (she 'was' my bump buddy - also pregnant at 21 weeks - SHE WAS OK!!). During the earthquakes, we held each other and helped to calm each other down. We were extremely lucky to be together at that time and to be in a safe building!

Well, when I saw the blood, I had no idea why I was bleeding but knew something was terribly wrong. I immediately told my bump-buddy and she calmly let me know that I needed to get to a hospital ASAP. We contacted the security officers in the building and they brought us to their office - they called for an ambulance, but we all knew it would take hours! We waited there and tried numerous times to contact our husbands, but it was hit or miss because most cell phones didn't work that night… so we waited, and waited...

It took HOURS for the ambulance to arrive and figure out where to take us. I am a patient at Seibo Hospital and that was the ONLY place they were willing to take me! I was very frustrated and angry because my bump-buddy was also feeling pain and we just wanted to be seen at the closest hospital ASAP!! We found out very quickly THAT WAS NOT AN OPTION! Even in that extreme situation, they would NOT take us to a closer hospital - I was going to Seibo and my friend was going to her hospital, there was no negotiating!

We had no choice but to say goodbye and wish each other good luck - we were put into separate ambulances and headed in opposite directions. They raced me all the way across Tokyo to get to Seibol! The ride was intense - my contractions were getting worse and with all the traffic it took over an hour to drive there. I was in so much pain- I kept passing out and was in shock, confusion and constant fear for the baby!!!

Once we got to Seibo, the Doctor checked me ASAP and told me that the baby was in great danger and was going to die!!!

We had an emergency c-section within the hour. The staff, nurses and Doctors ALL worked quickly. They were very kind to me and did anything they could to keep me calm. I begged for them to call and wait for my husband or at least wait until the morning, but they all insisted that it needed to be done ASAP! My c-section was very scary and painful and lonely. Yet, thank goodness - moments before the surgery, I managed to talk to my husband from the bathroom for a few seconds - to let him know that I was having the baby!

On the operation table, I cried - I was in such shock that my husband wasn't going to be there!! I was in shock that I was having a c-section, in shock that I was all alone! The entire surgery was very scary...That was until I heard the first cry from my son!! At that exact moment my heart became so light and I was filled with such a rush of happiness, love and pride! They let me hold him for about 1 min on the operation table. I touched his hand and he grabbed my two fingers, so tight! It was the best moment of my entire life, meeting my son for the first time. It was the truest love that I have ever felt!

He was born safe and sound at 34 week, on March 11, 2011 at 11: 22 pm, weight 2732 grams. Together the baby and me made it just fine, just in time!!

My poor sweet husband was upset that he missed our son’s arrival. The night of his birth, as all trains, roads and buses were a mess- my husband ran home from work, jumped on his bicycle and drove all the way across Tokyo - it took over 3 hours to arrive early the next morning to meet his son for the first time! I asked him later, if it was hard getting to the hospital and he told me it was nothing. He just kept smiling the whole way and couldn't wait to meet his baby!

Immediately after his birth the baby went inside an incubator and needed lots of medical attention around the clock. It was so hard not to be able to hold him, my heart was breaking every time I saw him with tubes and cords, and wires all over his tiny body. It was hard because all I could do was touch him through a small window with my fingers.... I talked to him all the time- I told him stories, and sang songs. I told him all sorts of stories. I just wanted him to know I was there with him and he was safe. Over the next few days I was able to hold him and started to breast-feed.

After a week at Seibo, I was released and went home, alone. The baby had to stay until he was 37 weeks old-which was 2 more weeks! It was a very hard 2 weeks on me emotionally and physically after having a c-section and only a week to recover. I had to travel everyday to Seibo, which is pretty far from my house - almost 2 hours by buses and trains….but I did it everyday to feed him with great happiness and pride!!!!! I was so happy, I WAS A MOMMY!!!

We named our son Keigo Siem Yamaguchi and he is such a fighter! I know, he will grow strong and become a good man with a warm heart! He is such a gift from heaven, a survivor from all this chaos, death and disaster.

Everyday I kiss my little baby and tell him that I am so lucky to have him!

I am still not feeling 100% recovered from the surgery yet, but I'm sure over time it will get better! One other thing that has made me smile throughout this past month is the love and support that I have felt from my friends here locally, from work, through facebook, TMG, TPG and my friends back home in the states. Thanks ALL for the love!!

love,
the yamaguchi family!"

Thank you so much Sarah for sharing your birth story with TPG. We wish you and your husband and baby Keigo health, safety and happiness!!

March 11 birth story from Charlotte

2011-08-04T18:26:00.001+09:00

Charlotte also sent her story to us just one month after the earthquake, and she has kindly allowed us to post it on the TPG website to share with you all.

"I still maintain that it was the earthquake that started it off! As we all know, northern Japan was rocked by a massive earthquake on 11 March which shook Tokyo to the tune of magnitude 6. I was in the bank at the time and ended up cowering under a nearby table praying desperately that the shock didn’t trigger labor.

The following morning I woke up at around 5:15AM and noticed something dripping from me. “Water breaking?” I thought. Surely not; everyone knows first babies are always late. As the dripping continued, however, I started to panic. With the situation as it was, neither taxis nor the trains could be relied upon, and unassisted childbirth was, let’s say, not an option for me; my daughter was breech and Dr. Sakamoto had already scheduled a cesarean schedule to take place on 17 March. So I did what the 21st century human does in such situations: went online, checked my symptoms and posted on a couple of busy internet forums, both of which advised me to start moving towards the hospital right away as who knows how long it might take.

As I predicted, no taxi was to be had as everyone and their dog wanted a taxi after the earthquake, and an ambulance was out of the question since I was not in active labor and Tokyo’s emergency services were already stretched to breaking point. So finally, after my husband had phoned round everywhere, I said “Sod it. If the Ginza Line is working now, let’s go on the train.” So I threw on the grotty old clothes I had worn the previous day, stuffed my underwear with paper towels, and that’s exactly what we did. As we sat on the train, the leaking became more pronounced and I said “Okay, this is it. Let’s hope the train doesn’t suddenly grind to a halt and leave us stuck here for hours…”

After a 40-minute journey that felt like forever we got to Hiro and somehow staggered up the interminable hill to the hospital (no taxis to be had here either). The midwife confirmed that labor had begun although I couldn’t really feel any contractions yet other than a slight squeezing sensation, and the nurses started prepping me for emergency surgery. When they left the room for a moment I finally started to sob out of sheer terror at the situation. This wasn’t helped when a few minutes later, the baby’s heartbeat began to decelerate; the midwife said something about a descending cord and before I knew it the nurses were putting an oxygen mask on me and hauling me onto all fours (I later discovered that what was threatening here was a cord prolapse, and that the risk of this happening is higher with breech births and when the waters start leaking before the onset of contractions). Then the baby’s heartbeat returned to normal and Dr. Sakamoto arrived and truly, I have never been so glad to see a doctor in my whole life! I was wheeled into the operating theater, drips and wires were attached to me, and a spinal block administered. The idea of having something put into my spine was frightening, but the reality was shockingly simple and quick; a mosquito-like sting, then numbness kind of pouring down into my feet and legs. They raised a screen, tested me for lack of sensation, and got down to it.

It was a very odd feeling; there was no pain whatsoever but I could definitely feel some pulling and pushing going on. I stared at the screen and started practicing my times tables in my head and trying to remember the kings and queens of England in order, in an effort to try and distract myself from what was going on on the other side. “Talk to me about something else…. Like, anything!” I pleaded with my husband.

“Um, like cricket?”

“No, something I can talk about as well!!!”

“Hey, Charlotte, she’s out!” And there she was, a real live baby! I felt stunned (partly because I’d gone from “What’s that weird dripping feeling?” to “Wow, I’m a mother” in about three hours). They showed her to me briefly, then off she went with my husband and the nurses for testing while Dr. Sakamoto stitched me up. An hour later she was brought in to me, and I can honestly say that life will never be the same again. She is the most precious, perfect little thing I ever saw, and I’m quite shocked by how hard I’ve been hit with the mother-love stick.

I think it’s interesting how any given birth can arouse such different views and opinions depending on the person. I know that for many people my daughter’s birth (breech baby becomes planned c-section becomes emergency c-section, with earthquake craziness and threatened cord prolapse thrown in) would be considered a bit of a trainwreck. Personally, however, I thought it was great! It did exactly what it said on the tin (healthy mother, healthy baby), and I really didn’t feel any pain at all from start to finish, unless you count the recovery period. Shame I didn’t have time for an epidural, because a walking epidural dose would have made for a more comfortable recovery; as it was, I had to be content with the less effective option of painkilling drugs. Still, the scar is healing away into a mere pink strip, and breastfeeding has (so far) gone so well that Cecile regained her birth weight at five days old. If I have another child, I will definitely go for a repeat c-section rather than a VBAC.

So all in all, not a bad experience; now I just have to worry about the situation going on around me in Japan!"

Thank you so much Charlotte for sharing your birth story with TPG. Cecile is adorable! We wish you and your husband and baby Cecile health, safety and happiness!!

Travel Insurance

2011-07-28T19:00:00.001+09:00

Are you planning a trip overseas while you are pregnant?

It is always a good idea to get travel insurance, and even more so if you are pregnant. However, unfortunately travel insurance for pregnant women in Japan tends to be quite limited compared to overseas. Based on a search of the internet and enquiries at travel agencies in Tokyo, I discovered that Japanese travel insurance companies only provide cover for up to 22 wks of pregnancy.

Here are some Japanese travel insurance companies that provide cover up until 22 wks (in Japanese):

AIU
www.aiu.co.jp/travel/
www.i-port.co.jp/family_honeymoon.html

JI (can apply for this at JTB travel agency, but need to also book your flights through JTB)
www.jihoken.co.jp

If you need some help, go into your nearest travel agency and ask them. They will be able to fill out the forms for you and guide you through the steps.

If you are in Japan temporarily (and a resident of another country) it may be possible to get travel insurance cover up to 28-32 wks of pregnancy in the country of your residence. Do a search on the internet to find out.

Safe and happy travels!

2nd Trimester - Personal Account

2011-07-27T21:49:00.018+09:00

Here is a personal account of my 2nd trimester of pregnancy in Tokyo at a Japanese public hospital, continuing on from my previous post about 1st trimester. Depending on which hospital you go to in Japan, there may not be alot of English available, and also this may be your first pregnancy, so I have tried to explain my experience in as much detail as possible.

You may be wondering by this stage in your pregnancy what the purpose of the “boshi techo” is?! Well, the hospital finally starts to enter information into it from 2nd trimester. Each monthly checkup from 20 wks pregnancy will involve the following tests and measurements:
- Urine test
- Blood pressure
- Body weight
- Measurement of waist and size of uterus
- Heart beat of baby with a Doppler
- Check for any signs of swelling in ankles and feet
- General questions such as how are you feeling and has the baby been moving, etc

When it was my first time for these tests at 20 wks, it was a bit confusing as I didn’t know what to do and there wasn't any English explanation available. Most hospitals will have their own little routine, and you are basically required to do the routine checkup list above with the nurses before your appointment with the doctor. I stood at the door of the checkup room for a few minutes waiting for the nurses to explain what I had to do, but they didn’t seem to realise and just left me standing there! Luckily my husband was with me and he explained to them it was my first time and then it finally dawned on them and they explained each step to us and that this will happen with every appointment from now on.

The routine at my hospital is:
- When I arrive at the hospital, I put in my hospital card at the ATM-looking machine and it prints out my appointment for the day. I then go straight to take a urine sample (on a different floor of the hospital), and hand it over to the laboratory.
- Then I go to the maternity ward and measure my blood pressure and body weight. I give these results to the nurse (who writes it in my boshi techo) and wait my turn. Then I am called in and the nurse takes me into a separate room closed with a curtain where she asks me how I'm feeling, I hop on the bed and she checks my baby's heartbeat with the doppler, then measures waist and uterus size. She then checks my ankles and feet for any swelling. She writes all this information into my boshi techo, and then I go out to the waiting room to wait for my appointment with the doctor.
- After my doctors appointment, I go down to the hospital front desk to pay my bill and then all finished.

Each hospital will be a bit different, so it is good to ask the nurses about the routine and what you are required to do for each appointment. Once you get to know the routine it is much easier!

At 27 wks I had the test for gestational diabetes. This was another little experience of misunderstanding! The doctor explained the test for gestational diabetes to me at my previous checkup - we were talking in Japanese and I thought he said to drink some softdrink 1 hour before coming to the hospital. So, on the morning of my appointment at 27 wks I drank a can of 7up on the way. This was pretty embarrassing in itself, as I was holding the can of 7up on the bus at 8 o'clock in the morning on the way to the hospital and I was thinking people must think this pregnant lady is not looking after her health!! Anyway, when I got to the hospital, there was a bit of confusion among the nurses when I explained to them that I had done my preparation and drunk softdrink before I came.... after a few minutes it became clear that I had made a mistake! What the doctor had said was that when I come to the hospital, they will get me to drink a glucose drink (which tastes like a softdrink), and then I wait for one hour before they take a blood sample to test for gestational diabetes. I was pretty embarrassed, but I'm sure these types of experiences happen to everyone in Japan!

In terms of weight gain, by the end of 2nd trimester I had put on a total of 10 kg. My baby was estimated to weigh about 1.2 kg, so the other 8.8 kg was extra weight. The nurse seemed to be surprised by my fast weight gain (she actually measured my belly twice just to make sure!) and recommended me to take care and try not to eat too much, particularly fatty foods. I was a bit shocked by her reaction, as I eat relatively healthily and my intake hasn't changed greatly since before I became pregnant. Also, I checked the guideline for weight-gain during pregnancy in Australia, and it seems it is normal to gain 11-16 kg during pregnancy (1-1.5 kg per month in the first trimester, and 1.5-2 kg per month for the rest of the pregnancy). The nurse at my hospital said I should be only gaining 0.5 kg per month, so it seems the Japanese standard is much lower than overseas. Personally I think as long as you eat healthily and feel good, then that is the most important thing for both you and the baby!!

Costs for Pregnancy Check-ups in 2nd Trimester
The following are an example of the costs for maternity check-ups at a Japanese public hospital as of 2011. I have Japanese national health insurance and used the yellow discount tickets from the ward office (Kuyakusho) that were received with my boshi techo.
Note - these costs are only provided as a guide. Actual costs may vary depending on which clinic/hospital you go to.
Also note that ultrasound scan costs approx. 5,000 yen each time, as it is not covered by insurance. This 5,000yen is included in the costs below, unless one of the free scans provided from the Kuyakusho was used.

15 wks: 8,000 yen
- scan and chlamydia test

20 wks: 0 yen
– checkup and scan (I used one of the free scans, so no cost)

23 wks: 2,000 yen
- I had this early checkup just 3 wks after my previous appointment as I was going overseas (usually you have an appointment once a month in 2nd trimester). They did the regular checkup and consultation with doctor. I didn’t have a scan (so didn’t have to pay the 5000 yen), but the doctor did check my cervix by vaginal ultrasound to confirm no problems or signs of labour before I went overseas (apparently the cervix shortens and becomes soft if labour is imminent)

27 wks: 10,000 yen
– checkup, scan, and test for gestational diabetes (this test is not covered by insurance, so had to pay)

See you in another 3 months with my personal account of the 3rd and final trimester! Hopefully all goes well!

Click here for information on all 3 trimesters.

Giving Birth in Japan

2011-07-23T13:21:00.003+09:00

Came across this nice story on the internet.

http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=443&pID=2291

ACURA Acupuncture Clinic

2011-07-21T17:59:00.000+09:00

Are you looking for fertility treatment/advice in Tokyo?

ACURA Acupuncture Clinic offers fertility wellness treatments and also has connections to English speaking reproductive endocrinologists in Tokyo. Taiken Jo, Director of the clinic, has also been a guest speaker at many of our TPG meetings.

ACURA Acupuncture Clinic

www.acuraclinic.com

Upcoming TPG Meetings

2011-07-13T12:49:00.002+09:00

Thursday 28^th July

Speaker: Juliet

Time: 10am-12noon

Location: Kspace Tokyo - an International Kindergarten that has classes for mums and babies

Website: www.kspace.to

Thursday 11th August

TBC

Thursday 25th August

Speaker: Dr. Sakamoto

Time: 11am-1pm

Location: TBC

It is with excitement that we announce our speaker on 25^th August will be Dr. Sakamoto! Dr. Sakamoto is well-known among TPG and TMG members for his extensive experience with delivering babies for the foreign community in Tokyo. This is a meeting not to be missed!

Membership is free and open to all pregnant and trying to conceive women living in Japan. If you would like to join these meetings, please contact us.

TPG Brunch - Views from TPG Members!

2011-06-29T17:44:00.007+09:00

Hi!

At the recent TPG brunch, we asked our members to share their experience of pregnancy in Japan. Some of the questions included:

1. What was the biggest difference you found about pregnancy in Japan, compared to your home country?

2. What was the biggest challenge for you about TTC / being pregnant / having a baby in Japan?

3. Do you have some words of advice for other pregnant or TTC women in Japan?

4. Which hospital are you going to? What is it like?

5. Where do you do your maternity/ baby shopping? Do you have some recommendations for other pregnant or TTC women in Japan?

Here are some of their comments!

Answers from A:

1. Biggest difference? A: I think this may depend on the doctor, however, I have found that I receive more ultrasounds/scans here in Japan than I did in the States. Another big difference is the length of stay in the hospital - which can be up to 5 days for a regular vaginal delivery.

2. Biggest challenge? A: I think in general, getting around Tokyo is quite easy with the availability of public transportation, however, I have noticed as I get towards the end of my pregnancy, if you don't have a car, you need to plan carefully how/when you want to travel somewhere because you can find yourself getting tired at the end of the day. Luckily, taxi's can be found virtually anywhere if you get too tired for the trains/subways/buses or for walking.

3. Words of advice? A: Enjoy every minute of it and take advantage of some of the "pampering" available here - there are some really amazing places that are great for pregnant ladies (e.g. massage, acupuncture, mani/pedi's). Get involved with TPG activities and try to meet other women in similar situations!

4. Hospital? A: I am giving birth at Seibo in Shinjuku. I have toured the maternity ward and am very happy with the rooms and services available for pre and post natal care for mother and baby. In general, the process as explained to me is as follows: (1) when you arrive at the hospital you will be placed in a "labor" room for the majority of your labor however, once the nurses have checked you and the baby after you first arrive, you are free to walk about, eat, watch movies, and basically get through your labor anyway you please; (2) when you are ready to give birth, they move you to a very spacious and well-equipped "delivery" room; (3) once delivered and you and your baby have been checked out by the doctor, you and your baby will be moved to your permanent room (there are both private and 4-beds available). Seibo basically allows and encourages as much interaction with baby as possible - so you have 24 hour access to your baby. If you need a rest, the nursery will happily take baby for as long as you need as well.

5. Maternity/ baby shopping? A: I shipped most of our baby things from the US, however here in Tokyo I will likely use a combination of Babies R Us, Akachan Honpo, and Amazon Japan (perhaps Costco for diapers as well). I have found in general that baby items are more expensive here... Another good option is "2nd hand" items from other mother's (TPG is a great source for passing along this information).

Answers from A:
1. Biggest difference? A: Japan doctors do a lot more ultrasounds than in the US, and the doctor does the ultrasound. In the US, usually a technician does the ultrasound scan and sends the results to a doctor, so often there is a delay of a few days before you hear any news. I was surprised that Japanese doctors don't recommend prenatal vitamins (just healthy eating and folic acid for the first 12 weeks), almost every doctor in the US will tell you to take prenatal vitamins.

2. Biggest challenge? A: No real challenges, apart from missing family and friends back home.

4. Hospital? A: We chose Aiiku hospital because of it's good reputation, close location to our home, and neonatal unit onsite. This hospital is dedicated to obstetrics/gynecology. The hospital is a little old-looking and could use updating. Also private rooms are not guaranteed and can only arranged at check-in. Partners are allowed to spend the night only if you can get a private room.

There are some doctors and midwives who speak English, but not everyone does. Dr. Sakamoto is fluent in English and delivers at this hospital. For prenatal checkups we've been seeing Sakamoto at the Tokyo Medical and Surgical Clinic, which is very convenient and the appointments are usually on-time. We had two checkups at Aiiku and seemed to wait forever in the waiting room.

5. Maternity/ baby shopping? A: Buying maternity clothes in Japan is almost impossible, so I buy all my maternity clothes online from the US: asos.com, destinationmaternity.com, gap.com. I bought most of my baby's clothes in the US as well and had them shipped to Japan. Our favorite stores in Japan are Akachan Honpo and Amazon Japan.

Answers from Ca:

1. Biggest difference? A: I feel very pampered being pregnant here as there are more doctors appointments, tests and a lot more scans here than in the UK. I have found it to be very reassuring and haven't felt worried about anything. It is really nice seeing the same Doctor each time I get a check up and being able to have all my questions expertly answered. It’s especially nice getting to see my baby on ultrasound at each appointment and fantastic to see her in 3D. Its also nice to know that I can have an epidural should I want one and will get to stay in hospital for a few days should I need to. This is not usually the case in the UK due to limited resources and staff shortages. However, the main difference is that here having a baby costs a fortune and back in the UK it is free.

2. Biggest challenge? A: Luckily I haven't had to face any challenges about being pregnant in Japan apart from I miss not having my mum around to help out.

3. Words of advice? A: I would recommend going to the TPG meetings every fortnight if you are pregnant as the information is really useful and it is a great opportunity to make friends.

4. Hospital? A: I am giving birth at Sanno Hospital as it is closest to my house. I feel very reassured that if my baby comes quickly (third baby) that there will be someone on hand to ensure the delivery runs smoothly. It seems very well organised and the staff are very friendly. There are a wide range of rooms to choose from too which is useful if you need more space if your husband wants to stay overnight with you and the baby.

5. Maternity/baby shopping? A: Personally, I found the choice of maternity clothing here to be quite limited. Also the size thing was an issue too as most clothes were too small or not to my taste. Therefore I did all my maternity clothes shopping in the UK and had it posted over. I have seen that many people sell nice maternity clothing on the TPG emails which may be of use to some people struggling to find maternity wear. I also visited a few baby stores and found that although you can buy many of the same baby essentials there wasn't as much choice as in the UK and it was a lot more expensive. Therefore we shipped everything over. However, babies r us and Akachan Honpo have many baby essentials. There are some nice toy shops in Roppongi Hills which also sell baby clothes. This is a good place to buy gifts for new babies too.

Answers from Fi:
1. Biggest difference? A: It seems that the level of care in Japan is much higher than in the UK. I have had numerous scans already, whereas in the UK generally women only get two during the whole pregnancy. The hospitals seem to be much nicer here too!

2. Biggest challenge? A: To start with I was worried there would be a language barrier, as my Japanese is not good at all. But this has not been a problem at all, all the medical professionals that I have met speak excellent English. I was also worried that pain relief might not be available, but I have found that certain things like epidurals are available if necessary.

3. Words of advice? A:You should try and meet other pregnant women through TPG meetings and events. It is good to be able to discuss things with them and get different opinions on medical options available.

4. Hospital? A: I am going to Seibo hospital. It was the only one I visited, and some other TPG members had recommended it. I haven't been to any other maternity wards, but I was very impressed with how clean it is, and there seems to be a lot of staff on duty - very different to my image of a UK hospital! It is a little old fashioned, but that's not really a concern.

5. Maternity/baby shopping? A: I am tall and have not found any maternity clothes to fit me in Japan. So I bought quite a lot on a recent trip to the UK, or I have had things delivered here. ASOS.com is great as they deliver for free. Baby things are generally more expensive here than back home, so I have bought from UK companies that ship overseas, or my mum posts things to me! Akachan Honpo is quite good for necessities. If you don't read Japanese it might be a good idea to take someone along who can so they can help translate labels on toiletries/formula etc. Also Amazon Japan often have good deals on nappies, and they deliver.

Answers from Ch:

4. Hospital? A: I am going to Jikei Hospital in Shiba. Pros - Always same doctor sees you and they are friendly and helpful. Cons - They don't do 3D ultrasound scan.

5. Maternity/baby shopping? A: These are the websites I often use for buying baby/maternity goods, they have good range and are very reasonable priced. Most of them are in Japanese so you may need to ask your Japanese friends help if necessary.

http://shop.akachan.jp/shopping/c/c

http://combimini.jp/

http://www.lemoir.com/top/babyTop.jsp

http://www.pigeonmall.jp/

http://fcart.jp/

Answers from K:
1. Biggest difference? A: The biggest difference I found was in the tests done at 12 wks. In Australia it is common to have an NT scan and blood test at 12 wks to test for down syndrome, however in Japan it seems this is not done at all. Dr Sakamoto is the only doctor we could find who does the NT scan, however the blood test at 12 wks is apparently not approved in Japan yet. The earliest blood test that can be done in Japan is the Quad test at 15 wks (amniocentesis is also approved, but not many doctors do it). Dr Sakomoto can do all three - NT scan, Quad blood test, and the amniocentesis.

2. Biggest challenge? A: Finding a ladies clinic to confirm the pregnancy and learning about Japan's system in the first few months.

3. Words of advice? A: Try to decide on a hospital asap. Japan has a wonderful schedule for the routine check-ups, and sometimes it can be difficult to make the transfer from a clinic or hospital to another hospital. The sooner you transfer the better. Even better if you can go to the one hospital from the beginning. It is not impossible to change though if you want to, even in the last trimester (if there is availability). I know of someone who found out she would require a scheduled caesarian, so she decided to change to a doctor who had extensive experience.

4. Hospital? A: We went to Rose Ladies Clinic for the first 3 months while we were deciding which hospital to go to. After looking at all the options online we decided to go to Tokyo Medical Hospital in Meguro. Our key priorities were that my husband can be present during labour and delivery, the cost, and that it was close to our house. The doctor speaks English which is great, so we have no problems communicating. The hospital is also quite modern and new which is nice. All three stages of labour, delivery and recovery (LDR) are in your own private room. After recovery for 2 hours, you are transferred with your baby to a share room or private room (private rooms need to be book in advanced and cost extra). They don't provide any pain relief at all (so no epidural or anything), which took me a while to consider, but in the end I decided to do my best with a natural birth. The hospital also doesn't provide the NT scan at 12 weeks, so we went to Dr Sakamoto for this check up at his Omotesando clinic.

5. Maternity/baby shopping? A: I have bought some extra long singlets, floaty tops, and maxi dresses from shops like H&M, Zara, and Banana Republic. My mum sent me some maternity stockings from Australia for work which have been great. For baby shopping we bought some cute things on sale at GAP - they don't seem to have newborn sizes, but they do have 3 mths onwards so we bought some of these for the baby to grow into. Otherwise planning to buy some baby clothes in Australia and bring them back to Japan.

Thank you everyone! We hope we can include more from TPG members in our upcoming meetings!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

2011-06-11T21:54:00.001+09:00

Here are some great recipes by TPG speaker Susie Rucker.

Here is Susie's website:

www.ruckernutrition.com

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

2 cups water

2 cubes chicken bouillon

1 clove garlic, smashed

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 large cooked chicken breasts - cut into bite size pieces

1 large red onion, diced

1 large green bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

Bring the water, bouillon cubes, and garlic to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the quinoa, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the garlic clove and scrape the quinoa into a large bowl.

Gently stir the chicken, onion, bell pepper, olives, feta cheese, parsley, chives, and salt into the quinoa.

Drizzle with the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Stir until evenly mixed. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold.

Lentil, Goats cheese and Beetroot Salad

2011-06-11T21:50:00.002+09:00

Recipe by Susie Rucker

www.ruckernutrition.com

3 cloves of garlic minced

1 ½ tsp grated lemon rind

1 tsp dried tarragon

¾ tsp salt

1 ½ cups lentils washed and rinsed

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

4 tbs extra virgin oil

4 tbs Dijon Mustard

! red or green pepper, finely chopped

1 1/2 cups diced cooked beetroots

6 cups mixed greens (watercress, rocket, spinach)

½ cup crumbled feta

2 tbs coarsely chopped pecans

In a saucepan combine 3 cups water, garlic, lemon rind, tarragon and salt and bring to boil. Add lentils and simmer cover and cook for 25 mins, or until lentils are firm-tender.

Drain away any liquid remaining. In a medium bowl combine lemon juice, oil and mustard. Add lentil mixture, pepper, beetroot, coating wel.

Serve lentil mixture on a bed of greens and sprinkle with goats cheese and pecans.

Courtesy of Erica Angyl ,Gorgeous skin in 30 days

For added nutrients keep the beetroot raw and grate over the lentils at the end!

Buckwheat Pancakes Recipe

2011-06-11T21:45:00.000+09:00

Recipe by Susie Rucker Nutrition

www.ruckernutrition.com

I have tried and tested many a recipe and this one seems to work best!

75g Buckwheat flour

25g Whole wheat flour/rice flour if gluten free

2 large eggs/egg substitute

200ml of milk (or dairy free alternative) mix with

75ml water

2 TBS melted butter/coconut butter

****I like also to add extra ground nuts and seeds to mixture for added minerals and protein

A little extra butter to cook with

In a large mixing bowl sieve the flours. Then make a well in the centre and add the eggs, water and milk, slowly whisk ingredients together. Until a smooth batter is formed, then when you’re ready to cook the pancakes add the melted butter and stir again.

Add the ground nuts and seeds if desired.

Cook in frying pan using one to two tablespoons of the batter.

Enjoy!

Try with Agave nectar and cinnamon so as not to upset blood sugar balance. Or natural yogurt with favourite berries with extra nuts and seeds as a topping!!

Brunch - Sunday 26th June

2011-06-08T21:12:00.000+09:00

Members and their families are invited to brunch on Sunday morning 26th June. This should be a great chance to meet and chat with other expecting families in Tokyo. Please contact the TPG coordinator for more information as this event requires an RSVP.

Japanese terms - shopping

2011-06-08T19:28:00.000+09:00

Kaimono / Shopping Terms:

Where can I find the...?

....doko desu ka? 。。。どこですか？

Do you have...?

....arimasu ka? 。。。ありますか？

Is this suitable for newborns?

Kore wa shinseeji you desu ka? これ　は　しんせいじ　よう　ですか

Practical Items:

Diapers for newborns

shinseeji you omutsu

しんせいじようおむつ

Wet ones/baby wipes

akachan you uetto tisshuu / akachan no oshiri fuki

あかちゃんのおしりふき

Disposable diaper odour sealant bin

omutsu ire pakku / omutsu you gomi bukuro

おむつようごみぶくろ

Barrier cream (eg.petroleum jelly)

hoshitsu kuriimu / baria kuriimu

ばりあくりーむ

Changing mat/pad

omutsu kae matto

おむつかえまっと

Cotton balls

kotton booru

ことんぼーる

Baby laundry detergent

akachan you irui no senzai

あかちゃんよういるいのせんざい

Baby soap /shampoo

akachan you sekken / bebii soopu

あかちゃんようせっけん /

べびー　そーぷ

Baby oil/baby lotion

bebii oiru / bebii rooshon

べびー　ろーしょん

Baby bath tub

akachan you no furooke (basutabu)

あかちゃん　よう　の　ふろおけ

Baby bath sponge

ofuro you no suponji

おふろようのすぽんじ

Bathwater thermometer

suion kei

すいおんけい

Wash coth

taoru / zoukin

たおる/ぞうきん

Baby brush

akachan you no kushi

あかちゃんようのくし

Swaddling blanket

akachan you no makimoufu (makinuno)

まきぬの

Diaper bag

omutsu kaban

おむつかばん

Stroller

bebii kaa

べびーかー

Sling

komoriobi / dakkohimo

こもりおび/だっこひも

Baby car seat

akachan you chairudo shiito

あかちゃんようちゃいるどしーと

Breast pump:

chichi shibori-ki 　

ちち　しぼりき

Hypoallergenic:

tei-shigekisei / arerugi- busshitu no nai 　

ていしげきせい / あれるぎーぶっしつ　の　ない

Sleeping items:

Crib,cradle or bassinet

yurikago, bebii beddo

ゆりかご

Natural cotton bedsheets

men hyaku paasento no siitsu

めんひゃくぱーせんとのしーと

Soft,lightweight baby blankets

yawarakai, karui akachan you moufu

やわらかい、かるい　あかちゃん

ようもうふ

Baby monitor

akachan monitaa / bebii monitaa

べびーもにたー

Clothes:

sleepers/rompers

pajama / rompaasu

ぱじゃま

socks and booties

kutsushita, buutii

くつした　/　ぶーてぃー

scratch mittens

miton

みとん

bibs

yodarekake

よだれかけ

In winter: cardigan,warm hat.

kaadigan, attakai boushi

かーでぃがん　/　あったかいぼうし

In summer:light,summer hat

natsu you no boushi

なつようのぼうし

Other useful resources for mothers and families

2011-06-08T19:23:00.000+09:00

Babysitting and housekeeping services in Tokyo

http://www.chezvous.co.jp/english/

Babycafe Japan: The Spot for Babies and Breastfeeding in Japan

http://babycafejapan.blogspot.com/

Blue Sky Tokyo: For Mothers, Babies and Kids in Tokyo

http://www.blueskytokyo.com/index.html

Being a Broad: The Support and Information Network for International Women Living in Japan

http://www.being-a-broad.com/

Tokyo Families Magazine (the January/February 2007 issue’s focus in on having a baby in Japan)

http://www.tokyofamilies.com/

Tokyo with Kids

http://www.tokyowithkids.com/

Tokyo Mamans Group for French Speakers

2011-06-08T19:17:00.000+09:00

Tokyo Mamans Group is a mothers group in Tokyo for French speakers.

http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/tokyo_mamans/

http://tokyomamans.canalblog.com/

Tokyo Mothers Group (TMG)

2011-06-08T19:06:00.000+09:00

Would you like to continue joining meetings and social gatherings in Tokyo after the birth of your baby?

Why not join TMG after graduating from TPG!

TMG (formerly known as the Tokyo New Mothers Group) is a support and contact group for mothers in Tokyo. TMG is an English-speaking group, but members are from every corner of the globe and all walks of life.

TMG aims to provide a social and support network for not only new mothers and mothers new to Tokyo, but all mothers living in Tokyo through a wide variety of parenting resources including regular meetings, events, practical advice and useful information.

TMG is a wonderful chance for you and you child to participate in activities around Tokyo and meet other mothers and their children.

Website: www.tokyomothersgroup.com　

Photographers

2011-06-08T18:56:00.002+09:00

Note: This is a previous TPG post from 2007 that we are re-posting with the latest updates.

Emma K. Sato - Gom Photography
English-speaking Photographer based in Tokyo/Yokohama area.
Specializing in - Maternity / Newborns / Families
Tel. 045-777-4827
http://www.gom-photography.com/
contact@gom-photography.com

Solveig Boergen- starphotography
Newborn, Baby and Child Portraiture.
Experienced photographer based in Tokyo. English/Japanese/German is spoken.
http://www.starphotography-jp.com/blog
http://www.starphotography-jp.com/
info@starphotography-jp.com

Kerry Raftis, Keyshots Photography
Keyshots.com K.K owned by Australian Female Photographer Kerry Raftis specializes in capturing the Miracle of your pregnancy in a variety of poses both in their studio conveniently located in Tamachi, Minato-ku and as well as offering location sessions either in your own home or favourite local park. Various packages are available with a 10% off discount on double bookings for both Pregnancy and New Born sessions.Keyshots.com offers a Pro-lab local printing service, custom birth announcement design and Photoshop Art Series collections. Please email Kerry Raftis at: kerry@keyshots.com or call the studio on Tel: 03-6426-7739 All sessions by appointment - studio sessions available weekdays or weekends. Office Hours for Bookings - Tues/Weds & Thurs 11am ~ 6pm. www.keyshots.com

Fertility Resources in Tokyo

2011-06-04T20:20:00.004+09:00

Note: This is a previous TPG post from 2007 that we are re-posting.

Kiba Koen Clinic
Kamai Building, 2nd Floor, 2-17-13 Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0042

Kiba Park Clinic is a recently opened reproduction center for both female and male infertility which fulfills all your infertility needs in one center. No need to run all over Tokyo having endless tests done. Kiba Park Clinic offers you and your partner all the facilities related to male and female infertility in one ultra-modern reproduction center. Located one minute from Kiba station on Tozai Line. Dr. Takeuchi speaks great English and the website is completely in English with map directions too. Prices are listed only on the Japanese language page.

http://www.kiba-park.com/english/index.html
Telephone 81-(0)3-5245-4122

The Tokyo HART Clinic
1-22-2 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011

Specializes in fertility treatment and Dr. Goto speaks fluent English. They are normally very busy so do call in advance for an new patient appointment. The number is 03-5766-3660. Once a patient is 8 weeks pregnant HART will refer you to another OB doctor. They do not deliver babies. The website listed is in Japanese only.
http://www.tokyo-hart.ne.jp/main.htm

Miyazaki Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic
1-1-5 Motoakasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0051

Dr. Miyazaki is an OBGYN who specializes in fertility treatment (and I believe high risk pregnancies). He also speaks fluent English. His number is 03-3478-6443. More info about his clinic can be found in the following link (Japanese only):
http://www.akasakamitsuke-miyazakiclinic.com/

Fertility Clinic Tokyo
2-11-16 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013

The staff at Fertility Clinic Tokyo near Ebisu speak some English. Phone: 03-3477-0369. Website is in Japanese only.
http://fert-tokyo.jp/

Shirokanedai Sugeta Acupuncture Clinic
Shirokanedai 3-17-2 Daigo-Matsushima Bld.101, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0071

Acupuncturists in Japan also provide fertility treatment. Yuko Sugeta is a licensed acupuncturist in Shirokanedai and speaks fluent English. She has treated a number of women for infertility. Her number is 03-3447-4189.
No known website.

Tokyo Infertility Support Group

The Tokyo Infertility Support Group offers support and information to English speakers who are trying to conceive, and meets once a month over dinner at a restaurant.
For more details, contact: tokyoinfertility@gmail.com
No known website.

Sanno Hospital (Fertility Resource Center)

They help both with general fertility issues and also with issues that may be encountered when trying to conceive in later years. Highly regarded by both local and foreign communities. A lot of the staff speaks English and they have translation services available.
http://www.sannoclc.or.jp/english/

Preparing for Your Newborn

2011-06-04T20:06:00.004+09:00

Note: This is a previous TPG post from 2007 that we are re-posting.

Preparing for Your Newborn, by Dr. Che, Pediatrician

Of course you are excited about the arrival of your new child. And of course the child is going to be sound and healthy, a beautiful girl just like Mom or a handsome boy just like Daddy. It is important to relax, not worry too much and keep oneself healthy. There are plenty of books and magazines available, but they can often be confusing for the new parents. Some articles could be polar opposites of the other. Many discuss the forest and wilderness of child birth and child rearing. Here attention is paid to the individual ‘tree’! No matter how trivial the question may be to the experienced, but not so to the novice, no snappy answers no matter how stupid the question may appear to be. In this article, the little, minute, points which were brought up by parents-to-be will be discussed. The purpose is to help you relax, solve small problems and not to confuse you.

Dr Che has been a pediatrician for many years and over ten thousand moms and dads have listened to him!

Professionals are not always in agreement on specific child-rearing and feeding recommendations. Consult your physician or nurse if you receive conflicting information. The material in this guide is based on literature from the Department of Health from the Sates of Hawaii, California, New York, OHME General Hospital and Dr Che’s own personal experience with his wife and children.

Mothers Diet

Eat a balanced diet. Avoid gaining too much weight. Try to avoid salty foods as they may raise blood pressure unnecessarily. Try to fortify your meals with calcium. Although supplements might do the job, it is best if you can have a glass of milk every morning. If you cannot tolerate cow’s milk for any reason, substitute it with fish if you can. Consult your obstetrician for advice.

Mother’s Medication

One must be very careful with oral medication. Always alert your obstetrician and your baby’s pediatrician if you must continue to take oral medicine. Some drugs of concern are anti-thyroid medications, anti-malignancy medications, and anti-epileptic medications. Most antibiotics do not have any effect on the baby, but you must alert your doctor if you have to take them. Most drugs for URI are safe too. Some blood thinners and anti-cancer drugs should be terminated, at least temporarily before conception.

You must be careful with the dosage of some drugs because there may be a postpartum change in metabolism.

Your Parents & Your Partner's Parents

The Grand Parents may be very excited about the arrival of the new child. They would love to tell you what to do. They might be telling you a little too much too. They might want to tell you certain things that might not suit your intentions. They might insist on purchasing goods and clothes not suited to your taste. Your parents may be telling you the exact opposite of what your partners parents are telling you. If in doubt, remind your partner that you are going with your parents suggestions unless there is a definite social consequence. Bringing your parents to the child’s doctor is one idea. It has worked well in the past.

Birth Weight, Feeding and Weight Gain

Usually a baby is born after forty weeks uneventfully weighing about 6lbs 9oz, (3000g) and is 20 inches (50cm) tall. If the child eats well, sleeps well and smiles a lot (especially while sleeping!), he or she will gain an average of 30g per day or about 1000g in a month. Whether the child is breast or bottle fed will be the parent’s choice. Nutritionally there will be no major difference as formula milk has improved dramatically over the last thirty years, although, most obstetricians; midwives and pediatricians strongly recommend breast feeding. Do your best to breast feed and if you have to discontinue don’t feel guilty about it. It is very important for the mother to feel secure about herself in order to comfort the newborn. Always ask for help if you have any problems or questions.

Clothing

Japanese nurseries will be kept at a temperature of 25 degrees year round. The babies usually wear only one piece of clothing. When you bring the child home, even in the winter, a room temperature of 20 degrees is adequate. Newborns tend to have cold hands and feet, but if you are worried about the child’s temperature touch the abdomen and check the baby’s activity. If you feel comfortable and the baby seems comfortable you do not need to adjust the room temperature. Babies frequently find over-heated rooms more uncomfortable than cooler rooms. You do not need to dress your baby with layers and layers of clothes. Your child will need room to wriggle and move too. The child will want to check out his fingers and toes, so save socks, mittens, gloves and shoes for special occasions and outdoor use only.

Sleeping

If you are really really lucky you might be able to sleep a few hours each night, but it will be highly unlikely. Most babies will wake every two to four hours for feeding. This will most likely continue until the child is six months old. But going through this rough ordeal enable the child to implant gratitude to his/her own mother in the subconscious level of the child’s mind. Your hard work and effort will be rewarded later on. Don’t try too hard to do all the chores around the house, if you need to catch up on your sleep. Sleep while your baby sleeps.

Bathing

Make sure you are comfortable with the baby. If your positioning is simply not comfortable, the strain on your lower back will be significant. Keep the environment clean and hazard free. When the baby is small you can always consider a clean sink as an alternative to a baby bath. Keep the water lukewarm. Your baby will not appreciate water that is too hot. The baby’s skin is very sensitive to heat and pain. Have an extra wash cloth or gauze for the baby to hold on to while he/she is in the water. Almost all baby products these days are very safe for your baby, avoid using adult products. There is no need to bathe the baby for a long time. Always dry the baby thoroughly and quickly with a clean towel.

Jaundice

Your baby’s skin and eyes (sclera) may turn yellow in his first few days. It is usually caused by Hyperbilirubinemia, a state in which the baby’s liver is not efficient enough to handle the entire metabolism of yellow coloured bilirubin, which is essential for the child’s digestive system. If you child is dark-skinned, attention must be paid to the white part of the eye and the colour of the child’ stool. Because Japanese babies are usually ‘yellow’ skinned, jaundice of the neonate is fairly well followed up.

Ensure you tell your obstetrician or paediatrician if there is a family history of unusual blood types, hereditary blood disorders, liver, biliary duct and pancreatic diseases.

A breast-fed child may have a prolonged period of jaundice compared to formula fed babies, but the condition is physiological and most often benign. If the baby spends the first seven days of his life uneventfully, it is usually safe to say that jaundice related congenital metabolic problem will be ruled out completely. However, a late onset liver disease because of a mechanical obstruction of ducts coming out of the liver is still possible if the stool colour is unusually white or has a green-grey tint.

Baby’s Excretion

If the baby is breast-fed, the child passes stool very frequently and it is often loose and sometimes watery. If the baby is formula-fed, the child will probably pass stool less than three times per day and the stool is usually almost solid. However, there are exceptions to the rule. As long as the baby is passing stool at least once a day your baby is not considered constipated. It is important to watch the colour of the stool. A greyish white stool passed more than once, might indicate a liver disease. A bloody stool, as opposed to a blood streaked stool, may denote a lower bowel problem. Tarry stool may indicate an upper gastrointestinal problem.

Your baby may pass a pink /orange stained urine. The stain comes from urate (uric acid in salt form) and is a physiological phenomenon for the baby. It may happen on and off until the baby is about six months old, but it is benign and needs no medical attention. A more serious bloody, urine stained diaper will turn brown (tea coloured) when left for 20 minutes or more, whereas urate stained urine will not change colour.

If in doubt save the stained diaper and consult your physician.

Shape of Head

Often the shape of the baby’s head is distorted because of pressure in the womb or during birth. Unless there is an underlying trauma causing profuse bleeding the baby’s head will return to a normal shape, especially after the child is able to support his neck and head at about the age of four months. There is no need to force a baby to stop turning to one direction or support the head with cushions so that he cannot freely turn as he pleases. Being uncomfortable will just cause the baby to cry.

Umbilical Cord

The umbilical cord will usually fall off within one week. The healing process should be uneventful if it is kept dry and the diaper is kept out of the way and not allowed to irritate the area. Some children may develop umbilical hernia, a benign protrusion from the belly button. 90% of these, no matter how large, will spontaneously correct itself by the time the child is one year old. Do not apply pressure in an attempt to enhance healing because it is not only pointless, but it may cause infection.

Consult your doctor if the umbilical cord does not heal well or if the hernia is large.

Immunization

Japan has an unusually different immunization schedule for children. It is often unsatisfactory to almost all counties in Europe, America and Asia. It is strongly recommended that your child follow the schedule for his/her own country. Catching up is not easy and not knowing that the child’s immunization is incomplete may often create problems enrolling the child in the school system, including university entrance.

Screening Tests

The newborn blood tests (Guthrie Test) can find disorders that may cause serious health or developmental problems if not treated early. Babies with these metabolic disorders may look normal at birth even though they may be getting very sick. If found and treated before the symptoms appear they may lead a normal healthy life.

In Japan, a refusal to have these screening tests has no penalty, but the tests are usually routine for all neonates born here. The tests should be done before the baby leaves the hospital and at the latest by the time the child is thirty days old (preferably before the baby is two weeks old).

Only a few drops of blood on a special sheet of paper are required. The test paper will be sent to the approved laboratory (there is only one in Tokyo). Most health insurance covers the newborn test.

Because the test is highly sensitive, but not necessarily highly specific, some babies will need additional testing if false positive results are given. The screening results will be sent to the doctor’s office where the blood sampling was done. You should discuss the results with your doctor without delay.

The following disorders are screened: PKU (Phenylketonuria), MSUD (Maple Syrup Urine Disease), Galactosemia, Congenital hypothyroidism (Cretinism), Hypermethionemia & Homocystinuria.

Haemoglobin disorders and histidinemia are no longer screened in Japan, if desired a separate test should be requested.

Traveling

A baby will be able to control his pressure build up in his ears after 30 days of age. It may not be a good idea to fly before this time, no matter how short the flight. Almost all pediatricians will agree. Ask your doctor what to do if the child needs to fly. Trains and buses pose no problem.

Baby Car Seat

It is required by law both in Japan to provide an appropriate car seat for the baby.

Never use the car seat in the front. Airbags pose a serious threat to the baby.

Paperwork & Passport

Check in advance what is required for registration. Japanese authorities accept a birth certificate from the hospital as an official record. Look for a baby studio which can handle baby portraits for use in passports. Most passports require two passports with white background, with the baby facing the front with eyes open.

If your baby eats well, sleeps well and smiles a lot the child is in good shape! After all you are the parents, how could anything go wrong?!

Tokyo Mommy website

2011-05-31T17:13:00.001+09:00

A new website called "Tokyo Mommy" has recently been launched, with a new review page in English about doctors, midwives, and birth facilities in Tokyo. If you have had a baby in Tokyo or the surrounding areas, this is a great way to write about your experience and provide valuable information for others!

www.tokyomommy.com

H&M - maternity wear

2011-05-27T10:10:00.001+09:00

H&M have some lovely items this season - summer maxi dresses, extra long singlet tops (both fitted and loose floaty style), and long cotton summer shirts. Great for keeping you cool and stylish during the upcoming hot summer months!

Here is the H&M website, but recommend going into the store as much larger range:
www.hm.com/jp

Shows that you don't always have to go to a maternity shop to find some perfect maternity clothes in Tokyo! Happy shopping:)

Free Pregnancy iPhone App

2011-05-22T15:03:00.008+09:00

For those of you with an iPhone, here is an informative pregnancy app - downloadable for free from iTunes. You can enter your due date, and then it will keep you up-to-date each week about what changes and developments are happening with you and your baby.

www.essentialbaby.com.au/pregnancy/weekly-guide-to-pregnancy/app

First Trimester - personal account

2011-05-21T18:38:00.017+09:00

Here is a personal account of being pregnant in Tokyo. I decided to share this with you, as even though I have been living in Japan for 8 years, can speak and read Japanese, and my husband is Japanese, there was still a lot that we didn’t know! We even bought the pregnancy magazine “Hajimete no Tamago Club” and asked for advice from my husband’s sister who had recently had a baby, and there were STILL a lot of things that surprised us. Pregnancy is definitely a learning experience, and being in another country can sometimes make it even more challenging. I hope this will help to provide some more information for you all.

First Trimester

1. First step when you are trying to conceive is to check using a pregnancy test kit, which you can buy from drug stores in Japan (the pregnancy test boxes are usually located in the feminine hygiene or contraception shelves of the store). There is a pregnancy test brand available in Japan with English instructions – look for this written in English on the box.

2. If your test result is positive (congratulations!!), the next step is to go to a ladies clinic or hospital to have the pregnancy confirmed. It is good to schedule an appointment about 6 weeks after the start of your last period – then the doctor will be able to conduct a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy. At this stage your little baby will only be a dot on the screen, but you should be able to see the heart moving which is very exciting! Don’t forget to bring your health insurance card to each appointment.

How do I find a Ladies Clinic or Hospital?
- If you have already decided on the hospital you want to go to, you can go there for your first appointment. There is a list on the TPG website http://tokyopregnancygroup.blogspot.com/search/label/Doctors%20and%20Hospitals

- Alternatively, you may want to confirm the pregnancy before deciding on which hospital you want to give birth at. If this is the case, it is easy to go to a Ladies Clinic.

- There are lots of Ladies Clinics in Tokyo, and one of the best ways to find one in your area is through this website: http://women.benesse.ne.jp/maternity/ The website is in Japanese, so if you understand the language or have a friend that can help you, it can be very resourceful. In order to access their database and reviews, you will need to register (no cost).

Can I make an appointment or do I have to wait in line?

- Some clinics and hospitals will allow you to make an appointment by phone, however many do not have this appointment system and you simply have to go and wait for 2-3 hours to see the doctor. Check their website for details. In the latter case, it is highly recommended to arrive at the clinic/hospital at least 1 hour before they open, so that you will be one of the first people to take a number. This should make the whole process much faster.

What happens on the first appointment?

- You will need to give the reception your National Insurance Card and fill out their forms. The form will include various questions including when was the start of your last period, your health condition (frequency of exercise, whether you smoke, drink alcohol, etc), and any family history of diseases.

- When you are called into the doctor’s room, the doctor will ask you some questions (basically confirming what you wrote on the forms), and then ask you to go into the examination room (usually a separate room behind a curtain).

- I will explain the next step in detail as I was really surprised by the whole setup and the automatic chair! There will be a small changing area with some towels and a basket to put your clothes in – take off your pants and cover yourself with the towel. Then sit on the chair – open the towel so it covers your lap. When you are ready, tell the nurse and she will push a button so the chair goes up (and the legs open) and turns around to face where the doctor will sit. In Japan it seems they usually pull a curtain across in front of your face, so that you can’t see what the doctor is doing. I felt really uncomfortable about this and as soon as the nurse went to shut the curtain I reached out to stop her – she asked me what I would prefer (curtain open or shut) and I said open, so she kindly opened the curtain so I could see what was going on. The transvaginal ultrasound is a relatively straight forward process – usually they first do a pap smear (if you haven’t had one recently) and then do the ultrasound. After seeing the little baby on the screen, they then move the ultrasound probe around a little to see the ovaries and check that everything is okay. Then you are finished, and you will receive some photos of the baby scan to take home.

3. After you have confirmed your pregnancy, the next step is to go to your local city hall/ward office to register. Go to the foreign residents counter and they will show you what to do. You will be asked to fill in a notification of pregnancy form - the form includes questions such as how many weeks pregnant you are, and the name of the clinic/hospital and the doctor’s name where you had your pregnancy confirmed. They will give you a Maternal and Child Health Handbook (boshi techo) and the Mother and Child Health Bag. The Maternal and Child Health Handbook is needed for routine pregnancy health checkups – make sure you keep the Handbook as after birth it can be used to certify your child’s vaccination record as well. You will also receive 14 yellow tickets, which you will use at each appointment to receive free pregnancy health checkups, and 2 free ultrasound scan tickets. (Note – ultrasound scans and blood tests are not covered by the National Health Insurance, so you will need to pay for these separately. Only 2 ultrasound scans are provided for free.)

4. Next step – decide on where you would like to give birth. There are a full range of hospitals, clinics and birth houses available in Japan. Check the TPG website and other websites for information. You can also have a consultation – there are consultants listed on the TPG website who can help by talking with you about what kind of birth you would like, and the options available.

Note – it is recommended to decide on a hospital very quickly, so that you can go there for your next appointment. One of the reasons is that hospitals in Tokyo can become fully-booked very quickly, so the earlier you register the better. Another reason is that the pregnancy health check-ups are very routine - I went to a Ladies Clinic for 3 appointments until I was 12 wks before we decided on a hospital, and they insisted on doing a urine test on my last appointment even though I wouldn’t be returning to the clinic again. This meant that we still had to pay for it, even though we wouldn’t receive the results. To save yourself any frustration, it is highly recommended to find a hospital asap and start going there for your checkups.

Some hospitals require a referral letter (if you don't have one it can cost approx. an extra 3,000 yen). If you receive a referral letter from your previous doctor, it can make the whole process much easier when you change over, as it will state all the details of your previous appointments and blood tests – basically gives an up-to-date summary of your pregnancy for your next doctor.

5. At 12 weeks, you may plan to have a Nuchal Translucency (NT) test and early blood test for genetic disorders. However, in Japan the NT scan is very rarely conducted (it is not approved in public hospitals), and furthermore the early blood test is not approved in Japan. The Quad Test (at 15 weeks) however is approved in Japan, as is Amniocentesis (at 16 weeks). Here are some details of the costs below. (Note - Dr Sakamoto was the only doctor I could find who could do the NT test. He also offers the Quad Test and Amniocentesis. Details are on his website www.sakamoto-obgyn.mymedfusion.com.)

Costs for Pregnancy Check-ups

The following are an example of the costs for maternity check-ups, as of May 2011. I have Japanese national health insurance, and used the yellow discount tickets received with my boshi techo from the ward office (Kuyakusho) for each checkup after my first appointment.

Note - these costs are only provided as a guide. Actual costs may vary depending on which clinic/hospital you go to.

Also note that ultrasound scan costs approx. 5,000 yen each time, as it is not covered by insurance (you will however receive two free scan tickets with your yellow tickets and boshi techo from the ward office). This 5,000yen is included in the costs below.

6 wks - first appointment and ultrasound to confirm pregnancy: approx. 8,000 yen

8 wks - ultrasound and blood test: approx. 20,000 yen

12 wks - ultrasound and urine test: approx. 8,000 yen

Other Tests

12 wks - Nuchal Translucency test: approx. 10,000 yen

15 wks – Quad blood test: approx. 30,000 yen

16 wks – Amniocentesis: approx. 150,000 yen

Maternity Leave - Doctors Certificate

- If you are working in Japan and will be applying for maternity leave, you will need to provide your company with a Doctors Certificate. The certificate is a simple letter stating your name, how many weeks pregnant you are, and when the baby is due.

- You may also need a Doctors Certificate if you are planning on flying on a plane in your third trimester.

- Cost: approx. 3,000 yen

Well, this is the summary for my first trimester! Hope that it helps with your own pregnancy in Japan. I will post again soon with details of the second trimester, as well as the procedure for applying for maternity leave if you are working full-time in Japan.

Click here for information on all 3 trimesters.

Click here for information on maternity leave in Japan.

Online Maternity Shopping

2011-05-19T18:50:00.003+09:00

Having trouble finding maternity clothes in Japan? Why not try these online stores that ship internationally!

Asos - UK company that does great range of maternity wear and shipping is free!!

www.asos.com

Queen Bee

www.queenbee.com.au

Egg Maternity

www.eggmaternity.com

One On The Way

www.oneontheway.com.au

Ripe Maternity

www.ripematernity.com

Soon Maternity

www.soonmaternity.com

Isabella Oliver Maternity

www.isabellaoliver.com/maternity-clothes

Bloom Maternity

www.bloommaternity.com.au

Destination Maternity
www.destinationmaternity.com

Drinks and Nibbles - Saturday 28th May

2011-05-11T15:35:00.000+09:00

Members and their families are invited to drinks and nibbles afternoon on Saturday 28^th May from 4pm-6pm. This should be a great chance to meet up and chat with other expecting families in Tokyo. Please contact the co-ordinator for more details as this event requires an RSVP.

Meeting Thursday 19th May - 11:00pm -13:00pm

2011-05-11T15:31:00.000+09:00

Karen Mattison, Clinical Hypnotherapist and Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor of www.tokyohypno.com will be speaking to us about Hypnobirthing techniques.

The talk will be in Daikanyama area. Please contact the co-ordinator for more details.

Physio Treatments - Pre and Post Natal services

2011-05-03T10:57:00.002+09:00

Tokyo Physio is still open for service since the earthquake. We provide quite a few service for pre & post natal. We can treat pregnancy pains, provide private pre natal exercise classes, pre natal massage, pre & post natal pilates, post natal abdominal & pelvic floor retraining. If there are any enquiries please email physio@gol.com or visit our website www.tokyophysio.com

Baby Shopping Resource in Tokyo

2011-03-02T09:13:00.000+09:00

Ma Bella Baby Designs is company in Tokyo specialising in designing beautiful babywear and accessories with Japanese themes. Along with our own designs we have chosen a selection of exciting and essential products for mothers and babies and we hope that you will find something that you will love either for your own children or for a friend or relative.

Please check us out at www.mabellababydesigns.com

Brett Iimura CEC courses going online via skype after April!

2011-01-31T19:41:00.001+09:00

Visit her details below for more info.
Brett Iimura from Childbirth Education Center, on "Choosing a Caregiver and Birth Classes in Tokyo".
For more information about CEC, please visit their website on http://www.birthinjapan.com/ and their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/www.fb.ChildbirthEducationCenter.CEC

New Osteopathy Clinic In Ebisu Tokyo

2011-01-21T11:21:00.001+09:00

Gregory Berge, a French osteopath, in association with two other French osteopaths, David Brisson D.O and Yoann Rocheteau D.O. will open the “Gregory Berge Osteopathy Clinic” in February 2011.

Are you pregnant and your lower back is sore? Or you would like someone to check your pelvis to make sure the delivery will be as smooth as possible? You gave birth recently and it seems like ever since that event, something is not feeling right inside of you? Your baby is beautiful but you would like someone to check his head to make sure that everything is “in place”? Your delivery was harder than expected and ever since birth, your baby is not sleeping well or he is agitated? You had a caesarean section and now your health is not the same? These are just a few of the reasons you may wish to visit an Osteopath.

The “Gregory Berge Osteopathy Clinic” offers treatments in French, English and Japanese. Appointments are available from Monday to Sunday (9am-6pm), either at the clinic or at your home.

The clinic’s website www.gregoryberge.com is still under construction but will be ready very soon.

Address:

3-6-22 Higashi, Spacia Abisu, Suite 219

Shibuya-ku, 150-0011, Tokyo

Phone: 090 3534 3232

For more information please email Gregory Berge at gregorybergeclinic@gmail.com

CPR/AED & First Aid workshops in February

2011-01-12T22:37:00.000+09:00

CPR/AED & First Aid workshops in February

Date: Sunday February 20th 2011
Place: Shibuya

The workshops are run by Blue Sky and English Adventure, in conjunction with the Tokyo Fire Department. They are taught in English and materials and official CPR certification are provided.

For all the details, please click on the link to see the flyer - you can post it on your school or supermarket noticeboard, or just email the link to friends and colleagues. CPR is an important skill for everyone, please consider taking this valuable course. The First Aid course in the afternoon has a particular focus on children’s first aid, so it is especially useful for parents and teachers.

http://www.blueskytokyo.com/Feb2011CPRFlyer.pdf

Thank you
Best wishes
Iona Macnab
______________________________

Iona Macnab BA(Hons) LLB IBCLC
Blue Sky: for mothers, babies and kids in Tokyo
www.blueskytokyo.com
blue.sky@gol.com
050-5532-3294 (Japanese local rates)
_______________________________

Updated Childbirth Education Center Class info

2011-01-09T13:24:00.000+09:00

From the director of Childbirth Education Center, Brett Iimura:

The first order of business of the new year: CEC's English tour of Aiiku will finally restart this month on Mon., Jan. 24th at 4:00 (please note the date change from our last Facebook post). We meet directly on the third floor of Aiiku in front of the elevators. The tour takes about an hour and is free for CEC class participants, 500 yen for all others (couples can attend for one fee). To confirm, please contact CEC directly. Please be aware that Aiiku does not allow children on the tour.

Our class and event schedule through March is as follows:
Baby Basics: Jan. 9th (1:00-4:30),
TBA (whenever there are 4 interested couples, a class can be set up)
Birth Class: Jan. 16th & 23rd (10:00-4:00 on both session days)
Feb. 19th & 20th (10:00-4:00 on both session days)
March 19th & 20th (10:00-4:00 on both session days)
Aiiku Tour: Jan. 24th 4:00, Feb. 7th 4:00, & March 7th 4:00

Please contact CEC directly (brett@free-zone.com , 03-3414-7458) for details and registration.

We are having a bit of trouble with the calendar on our website at the moment. For those members on Facebook, the fastest and easiest way to keep up with our events, classes, and last minute updates is by liking our page: http://www.facebook.com/www.fb.ChildbirthEducationCenter.CEC . Also, because so much has been changing so rapidly in the world of birth in Japan, this will be an ideal way to keep up with the changes in English!

I hope you find this helpful!

Brett Iimura, ICCE
CEC Director

03-3414-7458
www.birthinjapan.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Childbirth-Education-Center-CEC/179350058743966?v=wall

New Time & Day Updated English Prenantal Yoga Class @ Hiroo

2011-01-06T08:20:00.000+09:00

New day and time schedule for English Prenatal Yoga Class @ Hiroo.

For more information, please check out this page.

Bilingual Prenatal Yoga Classes - Jan 2011

2010-12-13T16:01:00.001+09:00

We are pleased to annouce that bilingual Prenatal Yoga classes will be held at Furla Yoga starting Jan. 11, 2011. Classes will be held from 1:00-2:30pm every Tueday, taught by Marisa Iida-Bai.

Dana Levy & Julia Maeda
yoga@furlajapan.com
080-6680-1727
www.furla.co.jp/yoga

Birth, Childbirth Preparation and Doula Services (TPG Speaker)

2010-11-25T15:59:00.000+09:00

Your Birth, Childbirth Preparation and Doula Services, in Tokyo since 2003.

I serve clients in their childbearing year. My services encourage the capacity of clients to generate options and to make choices. I offer a collaborative approach that respects what you already know about yourself to help prepare you for your birth and motherhood, your way. This is done via personal and phone consultation, private and small group workshops, and private birth classes for couples. Doula services are also offered. Contact me by e-mail: selena@yourbirthexperience.com include your telephone number and I will call you.

Email: selena@yourbirthexperience.com

Website: www.yourbirthexperience.com

Cell: 080.3016.6916

Selena Gudino

Twigtea.com Christmas Sale

2010-11-18T17:27:00.002+09:00

** TWIGTEA.COM CHRISTMAS SALE **

Cuddlemoo Toddler Towels & Cuddledry Baby Bath Apron Towels

20% OFF these lovely organic towels - more details available here:
http://www.twigtea.com/hugabub/contents/GENERAL/cuddledry

Great for Christmas presents!!

***¥500 off all Hugabub slings to all TPG members. Just put in the note "TPG Member" when ordering by PayPal, ¥500 will be refunded. ***

baby slings & things
www.twigtea.com

Baby Clothes Website

2010-11-06T09:18:00.001+09:00

Hi,

This is Emily from Sammy's Baby Clothes. We have just launched our new website www.babyclothes.jp We sell new and gently used designer baby and children clothing including Sammy's own organic label. We believe that it is the only shop of its kind in Japan in English. Please visit our site!

Now if you enter the code 'TPG' at checkout, all TPG members will get a 10% discount. Offer valid till December 31st, 2010!

Thank you.
Emily
www.babyclothes.jp

English Prenantal Yoga Class @ Hiroo New Time & Day Updated

2010-11-01T17:08:00.003+09:00

Prenatal yoga class available in Hiroo on Wednesday. New students are welcome to join anytime.

Pregnancy and yoga:
Pregnancy is a precious time in your life. It is a time for taking care of yourself and your baby! Prenatal yoga will bring a lightness and more awareness during this special time. Yoga is vital for a healthy pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and finally, for the transition to a new stage in life as a mother. Through the practice of asana (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises), the mother-to-be can nourish her own body, mind, and spirit and that of her growing baby.

Instructor:
Ronna Fujisawa, a certified yoga instructor and trained in prenatal yoga.
Website: http://www.helloyoga.com/teachers/ronna-fujisawa/
Email: ronna@cozmoscafe.com
Cell: 090-2720-3344
Cell email: ronna-beth@i.softbank.jp

The class:
This class is based on how to do a yoga practice that builds strength, flexibility and vitality, which cultivates breath awareness, deep relaxation techniques, to bond with your baby, rehearse for labor, and to prepare for a faster recovery. It is a wonderful time to experience the changes in your body with yoga in a safe and nurturing environment and to share with other pregnant women your feelings and discomforts you may have experienced during your pregnancy.

**Please note that it is appropriate to join after the 16th week of pregnancy until delivery of your baby! Recommended to join before your 32nd week of pregnancy. **

Date & Time:
Every Wednesday morning 11:30am - 12:45pm Starting January 12, 2011

Location:
Yoga Tree (Hiroo)
4F, 5-5-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Directions: http://www.yogatree.jp/directions-to-our-studio/

Fee:
Drop-in: ¥2500
5-class ticket ¥11,000 (Valid for 1 year for any yoga class)
**One time 25% off 5 ticket purchase for all TPG members!**

Classes are taught in English, but Japanese translation is OK if necessary!

For more information, please email Ronna Fujisawa on ronna@cozmoscafe.com and put the subject "PRENATAL YOGA".

First Aid Class Resources Available in Tokyo

2010-10-06T18:53:00.000+09:00

Natalie Smith

I am a Registered Emergency Room nurse as well as a certified Red Cross Instructor. I have been teaching CPR and First Aid for Adult, Child and Infant for various schools and groups around Tokyo. I do offer classes and if you are interested, I can be contacted via the below email address:

Natalie Smith
nursenatalie@gmail.com

Infant CPR Instructions + Video

2010-10-01T19:50:00.001+09:00

CPR for Infants (Age less than 1)

Shout and Tap

Shout and gently tap the child on the shoulder. If there is no response, position the infant on his or her back.

Open the airway

Open the airway using a head tilt lifting of chin. Do no tilt the head too far back.

Give 2 gentle breaths

If the baby is NOT breathing give 2 small gentle breaths. Cover the baby's mouth and nose with your mouth. Each breath should be 1 second long. You should see the baby's chest rise with each breath.

Give 30 compressions

Give 30 gentle chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute. Use two or three fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipples. Press down approximately 1/3 the depth of the chest.

Repeat

Repeat with 2 breath and 30 compressions. After 2 minutes of repeated cycles call emergency 119 for ambulance in Japan and continue giving breaths and compressions.

**Instructions and video courtesy of Learn CPR.org

Natural remedies to aid milk production

2010-09-27T21:01:00.000+09:00

Here are some resources as found by our members on natural remedies to aid milk production**:

- Mother's Milk Herbal Tea
- Herbs: Rasberry leaf, fennel, hops flower
- Fenugreek tablets

Where to buy the above in Tokyo:
- Seikatsu no ki, Omotesando
- Weleda Store on Komazawa Dori
- Natural Mart in Hiroo
- Natural House on Aoyama Dori, near Omotesando crossing.
- Natural House at Meguro Station (B1 of Atre, JR Meguro Station)
- LOFT, for raspberry leaf tea
- Seijouishii (Gourmet grocery store) for nursing teas

Online sources in Japanese:
- Tea: nettle, raspberry leaf, rose pink, rose hip and fennel seed
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/shopyuwn/521928/#521928
- Fennel, camomile, caraway and anis:
http://www.marienremedy.com/archives/1080/breastfeed.html
- Yogi Tea
http://www.tirakita.com/food/fd_sps_37.shtml

Online source in English:
- Artemis Pregnancy tea. Artemis is a famous, natural herbal company in N.Z.
http://www.netpharmacy.co.nz/artemis-breastfeeding-tea

Breast Massage Solutions:
- Oketani clinic
http://www.oketani-kensankai.jp/html/eng.html

Books on natural remedies:
- Mother Food, about breastfeeding
- Naboru Muramoto, "Healing Ourselves", suggested eating miso-shiru to increase milk production.

**Please check with your healthcare professional if you have any questions/concerns about trying any of the above remedies.

Bella's Cupcakes!

2010-09-10T20:33:00.002+09:00

Need something sweet, delicious and cute for your baby shower? Or just have a sweet tooth that won't stop? Tokyo Pregnancy Group would like to suggest Bella's Cupcakes! The cupcakes are kept simple in all the best ways, fluffy and light with a delicious cream cheese frosting that isn't overwhelming. Bella's has many flavors available, and is always open to suggestions for a new flavor combination. They are able to do large orders for a baby shower or even a wedding, or perhaps just an office party or for no special occasion at all except enjoying delicious treats. If you just want to try one (we dare you to try only one) you can find the cupcake truck in various locations throughout Tokyo. Bella's is an online store, so you won't find them at a permanent store front home, but they are ready for your order any time!

Mention your membership with Tokyo Pregnancy Group and receive 15% off your first order! You can find more information on their website (http://www.bellas-tokyo.com/) and up-to-the-moment updates on their Facebook page (they are also on Twitter and Mixi).

Birth Announcement Cards

2010-08-24T10:19:00.006+09:00

Where can I get birth announcement cards made in Japan?

Here are some resources as found by our members:

http://www.paperculture.com/birth-baby-announcements-cards.html
http://www.tinyprints.com/baby-photo-birth-announcements.htm
http://www.mojoprint.jp/
http://www.shutterfly.com/
http://www.inter-life.com/

Resources Available through Tokyo Physio

2010-08-23T16:27:00.000+09:00

TENS Machine

TENS is a natural form of pain relief that helps take the edge of the pain felt during labour. It is very simple to use and safe for the mum & foetus, many women have come back to use it for there second pregnancy. It can be used in combination with other pain relieving modalities. You can hire the machine for 10,000yen, and your international health insurance may cover this. You pick it up a couple of weeks before your due date and return it after delivery. A therapist at Tokyo Physio will spend 10 minutes with you explaining and showing you how to use it, you are interested please enquire at appointment@tokyophysio.com. More information about Tokyo Physio can be found at www.tokyophysio.com.

Breathing Class

The breathing class is a 2hr class held on the weekend. It is a very small personal class which allows for interaction and thus very time effective. The use of breathing techniques during labor can make it a less painful, more efficient labor and overall enable you to cope better. The class is very practical, a short introduction with the theory is followed by practice of the breathing techniques and then feedback is given. The fee is 8,000yen/couple and we run them only held a few times a year. To enquire please email at: appointment@tokyophysio.com

Pregnancy Massage

Massage during pregnancy can help relieve the familiar aches and pains, thus preventing any injury or build up of stress.

We have 2 very experienced massage therapists available at TokyoPhysio Massage & Pilates. Brendon (works full time) is a qualified myofascial therapist who has experience massaging pregnant women. Our other therapist Lisa (works part time) has also extensive experience massaging women pre & postnatally. Lisa is also experienced in lymphodeoma massage.

For an appointment email: appointment@tokyophysio.com (request for massage)

For more information: www.tokyophysio.com (click on 'massage & pilates')

Pregnancy Pains/problems

If you have a pain or injury during your pregnancy, Tokyo Physio has qualified staff to help diagnose,assess & treat these conditions safely. Some examples of problems Physiotherapy can help with are: sacro iliac joint pain, pubic symphysitis, lower back pain, neck pain, wrist pain, foot pain.

Treatment is covered by most international health insurance

For an appointment: appointment@tokyophysio.com, www.tokyophysio.com

Post natal Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be useful for a number of issues post natally. Some of these include incontinence, abdominal separation or weakness, lower back pain and wrist problems.

If specifically looking for incontinence or pelvic floor treatment Vanessa is the therapist who will provide this. Currently she is only available certain times of the year,so you will need to put your name down for treatment. She will arrange a time with you when she is available. Please enquire through appointment@tokyophysio.com

Treatment is covered by most international health insurance

Post natal Pilates

Strengthening of the back & abdominals is extremely important after a pregnancy as you are more at risk of a back injury due to weak abdominals and repetetive lifting. Pilates is a perfect way to begin your road back to recovery following a pregnancy. Pilates aims to strengthen the core (pelvis, back, abdominals) and postural muscles. This involves a combination of floor work, balls, balance discs, bands and specific pilates machines. Pilates can be taken privately or in very small groups.

For more information see www.tokyophysio.com (click on 'Massage & pilates')

Warm regards,

Vanessa Colless

Tokyo Physio

104 Atrium Shirokane

5-12-27 Shirokane

Minato-ku

Tokyo 108-0072

T. 03 3443 6769

F. 03 3443 6762

www.TokyoPhysio.com

Tokyo's Expat sports physiotherapy centre

Ask about our online appointment booking system

A great new resource in Tokyo!

2010-08-01T18:55:00.001+09:00

Go Pure Go New Zealand

Go Pure Go New Zealand brings the *clean and green* lifestyle of New Zealand to Japan with online shopping for Babies, Kids, Parents and Families. Pure, organic, environmentally friendly and recycled products including Designer Baby Slings, Organic Cotton Baby Sleeping Bags, Sexy Maternity Lingerie and Phil & Teds strollers. All stock held in Japan so shipping is usually 2-4 days.

Enter your email address on the home page to receive a 10% voucher. Visit the site at http://www.gopuregonewzealand.com or email with questions.

HypnoBirthing in Japan

2010-07-31T19:14:00.003+09:00

HypnoBirthing (Allison Evans, TPG Speaker)

A course in HypnoBirthing will teach you: How to eliminate the fear and tension that cause pain in childbirth so that you can birth comfortably without drugs; the breathing and deep relaxation techniques that keep you calm and free your birthing muscles to work easily and efficiently; and how to prepare your body for birthing to avoid artificial management of labor and trauma to the pelvic floor.

For more information contact Allison, HypnoBirthing Certified Educator.

Tel: 080-4343-6871 or by email

Website: http://www.wisdomchildbirth.com

Influenza A (H1N1)

2009-11-18T19:32:00.003+09:00

Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare:

English:
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/influenza_a/index.html
Japanese (more detailed than English):
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/kenkou/kekkaku-kansenshou04/inful_ninpu.html

Japan Times Online (English):
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/swine_flu.html

Japanese National Center for Child Health and Development (Japanese):
http://www.ncchd.go.jp/kusuri/tamiflu2.html

Psychiatric/Psychological Care

2009-07-23T18:21:00.001+09:00

Dr. Douglas Berger, M.D., Ph.D.American Board Certified Psychiatrist and staff
Meguro Counseling Center - Greater ShibuyaTel: 03-3716-6624.
Experienced in treating postpartum depression. http://www.megurocounseling.com/

Primary care physician

2009-04-12T18:19:00.001+09:00

Joe Kurosu, M.D.

Primary Care Tokyo

2-1-16-3F Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku

Tokyo 155-031 Japan

81-3-5432-7177

www.pctclinic.com

doctor@pctclinic.com

K&Maternity

2009-02-19T18:27:00.004+09:00

Kanako McCaskie, Email: kmccaskie@ccr.itsudemo.net
Tel: 03-6314-1242
http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/kandmaternity

Aardvark

2009-01-16T18:29:00.012+09:00

Maternity & Baby Wear

www.aard.jp

Lindsey Sawada, Managing Director

TEL: +81-3-6279-2800

FAX: +81-3-6279-2801

MOBILE: +81-90-5317-4121

Email: lindsey@aard.jp

Supplier of Bravado nursing bras & various other baby items.

Yoga

2008-03-29T09:58:00.007+09:00

Postnatal Yoga Classes

English, Japanese, and bilingual classes offered at FURLA Yoga in Aoyama and SHIZEN Yoga Studio in Kichijoji

FURLA Yoga: www.furla.co.jp/yoga

E-mail: yoga@furlajapan.com

SHIZEN Yoga Studio: www.shizenyoga.com

E-mail: info@shizenyoga.com

Phone: 090-3814-4488

Yoga

2008-03-28T21:39:00.008+09:00

Prenatal Yoga Classes
English, Japanese, and bilingual classes offered at Tokyo Yoga Circle in Azabu-Juban, FURLA yoga in Aoyama and SHIZEN Yoga Studio in Kichijoji.

Tokyo Yoga Circle (Rajay Mahtani, TPG Speaker) - Roppongi
For further information on Prenatal yoga classes contact Rajay Mahtani:
Tel: 03-3586-7848
e-mail: yoga@rajay.org
http://www.rajay.org

FURLA yoga: www.furla.co.jp/yoga
e-mail: yoga@furlajapan.com
Tel: 080-6670-1727

SHIZEN Yoga Studio: http://www.shizenyoga.com/
e-mail: info@shizenyoga.com

Tel: 090-3814-4488

Transport & Accessibility in Tokyo

2007-08-20T21:52:00.000+09:00

Subway & Train Accessibility:

Map showing conditions of accessibility to platform from street e.g. elevator access for strollers http://www.wakakoma.org/aj/menu-t.htm

Taxi Service: English Speaking 24h:

Nihon Kotsu Taxi

(for English speaking customers)

Tel: 03-5755-2336　 (24 hours English Speaking operator only)

When you call from the registered phone number, they will recognize your name and registered destinations automatically, and will ask you where to pick up and drop off.

Nagoya Mothers' Group

2007-03-19T10:23:00.002+09:00

Website: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~lorna/mothers/index.html
Their package: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~lorna/mothers/pdf/booklet_e.pdf

Japanese terms - labour and delivery

2007-03-19T10:20:00.001+09:00

Source: Nagoya Mothers’ Group Website http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~lorna/mothers/japanese.html

General vocabulary

anemia: hinketsu

backache: senaka ga itai

bleeding: shukketsu

delivery: osan, bunben

indigestion: shoka furyo

infection: kansen

admission: nyu-in

midwife clinic: josan-in

midwife: josanpu

nurse: kangofu-san, naasu

obstetrics and gynecology: sanfujinka

swelling: hare

toxemia: ninshin chudokusho

uterus: shikyu

vagina: chitsu

vaginal discharge: taige, orimono

Pregnancy

due date: bunben yoteibi

last menstrual period: saishu gekkei

morning sickness: tsuwari

pregnant: ninshin shiteiru

pregnant woman: ninpu

Labor

breech position: sakago

show (pink or bloody, jelly-like discharge): shirushi

labor pain: jintsu

rupture of membrane: hasui

cesarean section: teio sekkai

fetal monitor: taiji kanshi sochi

pain or discomfort: itami, itai desu

shaving: teimo

enema: kanchoo

injection: chusha

general anesthetic: zenshin masui

epidural: komakugai masui

spinal anesthetic: sekizui masui

Delivery

delivery room: bunben shitsu

delivery table: bunben dai

episiotomy: ein sekkai

father attending birth: otto tachiai bunben

pillow: makura

placenta: taiban

umbilical cord: heso no o

vaginal delivery: keichitsu bunben

I want to push: Ikimitai

Push now: Ima ikinde.

Don't push: Ikimanaide.

Telephone Phrases

Hello, this is xxxx moshi moshi, xxxx desu

The labor begins: Jintsu ga hajimarimashita

It comes every 10 minutes and lasts 50 seconds: Ju (10) pun oki de, goju (50) byo tsuzukimasu

The water flows: hasui shimashita

How long does it take to come to a clinic: byoin made nanpun kakarimasu-ka?

20 minutes by taxi: takusi de niju (20) pun desu Postpartum

bowel movement: otsuuji, haiben

catheter: kuda, kateteru

constipation: bempi

diarrhea: geri

lochia, normal bleeding after delivery: oro

heavy bleeding or hemorrhage: shukketsu

laxative: kangezai, bempi yaku

perineum: einbu

rooming-in: boshi doshitsu

sanitary pads: napukin

stool: ben

urine: o-shosui

I want to go to the toilet: Toire ni ikitai

Please may I get up? Okitemo ii desu-ka?

The Baby

baby: akachan

birth certificate: shussei shoomeisho

jaundice: odan

meconium: taiben

May I see my baby? Akachan ni attemo ii desu-ka?

May I hold my baby? Akachan o daitemo ii desu-ka?

Please bring my baby: Akachan o tsurete kite kudasai.

nursery: shinseiji shitsu

Breastfeeding

breast: oppai, o-chichi

breastfeeding room: junyu shitstu

breast massage: o-chichi no massaji

breast milk: bonyu

breast pump: sakunyuki

colostrum: shonyu

formula: miruku

glucose water: budoto eki, tosui

nipples: chikubi

I want to breastfeed: O-chichi o agetai desu.

May I feed my baby? Akachan ni o-chichi o agetomo ii desu-ka?

My breasts are full: O-chichi ga hatte imasu.

My nipples are sore: Chikubi ga itai desu.

General Hospital Phrases

What are you doing? Nani o shitemasuka?

Who are you? Donata desu-ka?

Please call the doctor/nurse. Oisha-san/kangofu-san o yonde kudasai

Baby First Aid

2007-03-11T13:46:00.000+09:00

http://www.babycenter.com/baby/babyhealth/babyfirstaid/index

First Aid Kit info: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/pregnancygear/762.html

Chocking guide: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/safety/chokingguide/

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/

Buy a "five minutes first aid guide" from the British Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=45007&cachefixer

Buy First Aid Packs:
PediaPak First Aid Kit for Families with Children (amazon.com has it)
Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit 1 kit (amazon.com has it)
The First Years/American Red Cross On-the-Go First Aid Kit (amazon.com has it)

Books:
First Aid for Babies & Children Fast
Guide to Your Child's Symptoms by the American Academy of Pediatrics:: The Official, Complete Home Reference, Birth Through Adolescence (Guide to Your Child's Symptoms)

To Do List for Before and After Baby

2007-03-11T13:35:00.000+09:00

Before baby is born
Find out what Items you need in your Hospital Bag and get them ready
Find a Pediatrician
Finalize Maternity leave/Child care leave details
Find a daycare
Finalize doula details
Attend Prenatal & Breastfeeding classes
Set up the nursery
Purchase all necessities: diapers, formula if needed, breastfeeding help (like lansinoh cream) etc
Pick baby birth announcement (and do a email/address list of whom to send it to!)
Wash all baby clothes
Clean house
Start cooking in advance and freezing food!
Buy frozen food in advance/water/milk/juice
Finalize help schedule (friends, family, helper..)

After baby is born
Send out baby birth announcement
Enroll baby with health insurance
Send out thank you cards for gifts
Do the ward/embassy/visa paperwork

Breastfeeding Links

2007-03-05T15:12:00.003+09:00

There are two La Leche League groups in Tokyo, Tokyo Central in Shibuya (see below for details) and Tokyo West in Tachikawa. La Leche League (LLL) offers information and support for all women interested in breastfeeding, with monthly discussion meetings and free phone and email help. LLL Leaders are all volunteers. Annual membership of 6,200 yen (with LLL's highly acclaimed book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" included) is optional.

LLL Tokyo Central group has re-started its meetings. We hold regular continuing series of informal discussion meetings open to all women interested in breastfeeding. Babies and toddlers are always welcome. We meet in a very spacious hall and toys are available.

Meeting Details

Location: Franciscan Chapel Center

Address: 4-2-37 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Date: Second Friday of the month

Time: 10 – 12 am

The Franciscan Chapel Centre is 5 min walk from Roppongi Station and Tokyo Midtown.
Please refer for directions to the Franciscan Chapel Website: http://franciscanchapelcentertokyo.org/

Meeting details can be also found on our facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/LLLTokyoCentral

For information about the other English speaking groups, please check:

http://www.llli.org/japan.html

Others

http://www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com/

Also, there is the breastfeeding and parenting workshop run by lactation consulatant Iona Mcnab once a month in Tokyo. This workshop is for expectant couples, and covers all the practical aspects of getting breastfeeding started, and overcoming common challenges. Personal consultations are also possible. Her website and link to her blog can be found at

http://blueskytokyo.com

The academy of breastfeeding medicine with pdf documents downloads available on cosleeping and breastfeeding, mastitis, human milk storage guidelines etc. sometimes in multiple languages. http://www.bfmed.org/index.asp?menuID=139&firstlevelmenuID=139

Book on breastfeeding and medecine (drugs): Hale, T. 2004, Medications and Mother’s Milk. Available from http://www.ibreastfeeding.com/

http://www.iblce.org/ to find a lactation consultant

From Abroad

2007-03-05T15:09:00.001+09:00

Ask Baby
http://www.askbaby.com/

Ask Dr. Sears
http://www.askdrsears.com/

American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/

Baby Bargains
http://www.windsorpeak.com/babybargains/default.html

Baby Centre
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/
http://www.babycenter.com/

Babywearing resource
http://www.thebabywearer.com/

BBC on Pregnancy and Having a Baby
http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/having_a_baby/

Berkeley Parents Network: Advice on Pregnancy and Childbirth
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/pregnancy/

DONA (Doulas of North America) International
http://www.dona.org/

Dr. Spock
http://www.drspock.com/

HypnoBirthing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnobirthing
http://www.hypnobirthing.co.uk/

International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
http://www.icea.org/

Postpartum depression
http://www.postpartum.net/

WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/51/40834.htm

Online shopping - international delivery

2007-03-05T14:49:00.004+09:00

Baby Central

www.babycentral.com.hk

Hong Kong based, but has a lot of recognisable brands and delivers most products to Japan

Blooming Marvellous (based in the UK)

http://www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk/

Destination Maternity (based in the US)

http://www.destinationmaternity.com/

Expat Express
www.expatexpress.com

The Gap - Maternity and Baby Gap (based in the US)
http://www.gap.com/

Maternity Mall (based in the US)

http://www.maternitymall.com/

Mothercare (based in the UK)
http://www.mothercare.com/

Pottery Barn Kids (based in the US)
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

Babywearing Resources
Slings:
www.mayawrap.com
www.zolowear.com
www.kangarookorner.com/
www.rockinbabysling.com
www.askdrsears.com
www.babyholder.com

Pouches:
www.newnativebaby.com
www.mamasmilk.com
www.gypsymama.com

Wraparounds:
www.theultimatebabywrap.com
www.mobywrap.com
www.peppermint.com

Breasfeeding Resources
maternity/nursing bras/nursing wear
www.motherwear.com (ships international)

to prevent milk leakage
www.lilypadz.com
http://www.lilypadz.com/pages/etailers.html for online retailers

Hydrogel dressings (for nipple pain)
Ameda ComfortGels http://www.ameda.com/products/accessories.aspx#15

Shopping in Japan

2007-03-05T13:16:00.005+09:00

Akachan Honpo
http://www.akachan.jp/top.cfm

Amazon Japan
http://www.amazon.co.jp/

Airbuggy
http://www.airbuggy.com/ or http://www.airbuggy.com/index_eng.html
1-16-1 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0063. Phone : 03 5465 7580. Open 11am-8pm

Babies R Us/Toys R Us
http://www.toysrus.co.jp/

Bobux
http://www.bobuxjapan.com/

Children’s Ikea
http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_JP/local_home/funabashi.html

Motherways
http://www.motherways.com/
http://www.motherways.com/shoplist/index.html for the addresses of the shops in Tokyo

Tokyo Organic
http://www.tokyoorganic.com/catalog/index.php

Breastfeeding products
Blue Sky for Lansinoh cream for breastfeeding mothers
http://www.blueskytokyo.com/lactation.html

Medela pumps (small manual and electric, not the bigger models) and medela cream: babies r Us, http://www.toysrus.co.jp/truj/english/index.html

Slings, carriers
Maya slings, Blue Sky
http://blueskytokyo.com/babyslings.html

Slings: Toys R Us Ikebukuro, Babies R Us (see above for addresses)
Wraparounds: http://www.shefts.net/
all in Japanese but the owner speaks English. info@shefts.net

Slings: Hug-a-bub sling. http://www.twigtea.com/
Be sure to mention if you're a TPG member when purchasing.

Maternity Clothes
Lindsey Sawada (TPG Speaker)
Contact Lindsey for maternity and nursing bras, without underwire, sizes from 32B up to 46G. Tel: 03-6279-2800; 090-5317-4121
E-mail: mailto:lindsey@abelia.ocn.ne.jp

Angeliebe
http://www.angeliebe.co.jp/

Tokyo, Shibuya store saJ_{O2-32-3 (other shop addresses http://www.shop-ange.com/antenna.html)
Phone: 03-3796-1103, open from AM11F00`PM7F00

Muji (Shinjuku 3 Chome station)

Bennetton (ometesando station, exit 2)

Keio Department Store (Shinjuku station)

Babies R Us

Baby clothes

Petit bateau
http://www.petit-bateau.co.jp/
Stella Jiyugaoka 1F, 1-26-4 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku. Tokyo. Phone : 03 5731 5730
Hillside Terrace B-2, 29-18 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku. Tokyo. Phone: 03 5784 3570
Lamia Building 5-1-3, Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tokyo. Phone : 03 5468 2471
2-25-7, Kitazawa Setagaya-ku. Tokyo. Phone : 03 5790 5464
*new location - Omotesando, beside Burberry, across from Omotesando Hills

Du Pareil au Même : http://www.dpam.com/Home.aspx
Yasuda Life Insurance Building IF, 2-9-12 Jiyugaoka Meguro-Ku, Tokyo-Jiyugaoka.
Phone : 03 5726 3201

Jennifer Friese, Noko Clothes
jennifer.friese@mac.com

Familiar baby clothes
Hiroo station exit 1, cross the street and go down 50-80 m to find the familiar shop.

Baby Gap
http://gap.co.jp/store/index.html for the store locations (shibuya, ometesando –usually with the normal Gap stores)

Baby shoes
http://bobuxjapan.com/English/
Email: info@bobuxjapan.com
tel 03 5976 6436

Lindsey Sawada (TPG Speaker)
Baby shoes from England.
Tel: 03-6279-2800; 090-5317-4121
E-mail: mailto:lindsey@abelia.ocn.ne.jp

Toys
Kiddy land
Open 10am-6pm daily. 6-1-9 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3409-3431. Nearest stn: Meijijingumae, exit 4

Hakuhinkan Toy Park
Open 11am-8pm daily. 8-8-11 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3571-8008. Nearest stn: Shinbashi, across from Ginza 9. www.hakuhinkan.co.jp/eng/info.htm

Toys R Us
http://www.toysrus.co.jp/

Bookstore with kid books in English: fiona bookstore
Open 11am-8pm daily. 5-41-5 Okusawa, Setagaya-ku. Nearest stn: Jiyugaoka, towards Den-en-Chofu. Tel: 03-3721-8186. http://www.fiona.co.jp/

Yuzawaya: hobby store
Craft-supply complex with more than ten multistory outlets selling art, needlework, hobby supplies, stationery and knickknacks. Myriad displays of everything from paper, brushes, beads and fabric to noren panels and silk flowers-the list is never-ending-are sure to get your offspring's gray matter churning with activity.
Open 10am-7pm daily. 8-23-5 Nishi-Kamata, Ota-ku. Tel: 3738-4141 or 3734-0010. Nearest stn: Kamata, south exit. JR Keihin Tohoku, Tokyu Meguro or Ikegami lines.

Disney store
Open 11am-8pm daily. 20-15 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3461-3932. Nearest stn: Shibuya. Also Kita Senju stn, Odaiba Aqua City Mall, Ikebukuro Sunshine Alpa, Ikebukuro Seibu. http://www.disney.co.jp/

Akachan Honpo
5F T.O.C. Bldg, 7-22-17 Nishi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku. Nearest stn: Osaki-hirokoji, Ikegami line, or Gotanda, on Sakurada street. Tel: 03-3779-0365. Also Kinshicho, Itabashi, Odaiba. http://www.akachan.co.jp/

Bornelund
http://www.bornelund.co.jp/
addresses in tokyo: http://www.bornelund.co.jp/shop/kanto2.html#tokyo

Shopping for Baby in Kinshicho, Tokyo:

Babies R Us store in 'Central' Tokyo
Delivery available for Y550 per box (East side of Tokyo only).
5 mins walk from Kinshicho Metro station on the Hanzomon line (Z13), in North Eastern Tokyo.
http://www.toysrus.co.jp/truj/babiesrus/english/stores/bru_kinshicho.html
It's in a shopping centre that opened in April 2006
http://www.olinas.jp//
Directions:
From Kinshicho station on the Hanzomon line:
Take exit 4
Walk up the main road past the park, towards the 2 tall towers
From Kinshicho JR station on the Chuo Sobu line:
Take the north exit
Turn right until you find the main road
Turn left, cross the street & walk up towards the 2 tall towers
Olinas is on your right after about 2 blocks
Babies R Us is on the 3rd floor at the back.

The AkachanHonpo store in Kinshicho is located at the north exit from the JR Station.
If you turn directly left as you exit the station you can see a department store (Queen's Isetan) Akachanhonpo is on the 5th Floor.

Also at the South Exit of Kinshiho Station is a large Marui Store (OIOI)
This has a whole floor designated to baby goods - clothes mainly.

N.B. If you use the Oedo Line from Roppongi and change to the Hanzomon Line at Kiyosumi Shirakawa, there are lifts at the stations

What to Buy for Home

2007-03-05T11:23:00.001+09:00

BATHING & CHANGING NEEDS
□ Bath and stand
□ Bath support
□ Nappy Bucket
□ Rubbish Bin
□ Change mat/pad
□ Cloth/Disposable nappies
□ Cotton Buds/balls
□ Baby shampoo
□ Baby oil
□ Baby powder
□ Wipes
□ Nappy rash cream
□ Hooded towels
□ Bath towels
□ Face washer/wash mitt
□ Baby laundry detergent

ON THE MOVE
□ Pram/stroller/pushchair
□ Pram blanket
□ Storm cover
□ Sun umbrella/cover
□ Carrier or pouch
□ Port a cot
□ Car Seat – capsule
□ Car Seat – upright
□ Capsule liner/hood
□ Head Support
□ Sun Shade
□ Mosquito net
□ Rocker/bouncer
□ Insulated bottle carrier
□ Diaper bag

FOR MUM
□ Nipple shields
□ Nipple cream
□ Nursing pads
□ Sanitary napkins
□ Massage oils
□ Maternity/Nursing bras
□ Nightgown
□ Reference books, magazines

FEEDING TIME
□ Breast Pump
□ Bottles
□ Teats
□ Formula
□ Bottle/teat brush
□ Pacifiers
□ Sterilizing equipment
□ Plate/cutlery set
□ Training cup
□ High Chair
□ Bibs

BEDDING
□ Bassinet/cradle/Moses basket
□ Mattress
□ Quilt set for bassinet/cot
□ Sheet sets
□ Cot/crib blanket
□ Mattress protector

CLOTHING
□ Singlet
□ One piece suits/Bodysuits
□ Socks
□ Bonnet, mittens

HEALTH & SAFETY
□ Brush/comb set
□ Nail Scissors
□ Teething gel/ring
□ Thermometer
□ Medicine dropper
□ Sunscreen
□ Antiseptic
□ Baby Monitor

DECORATIONS
□ Musical mobile
□ Play mat/gym
□ Lamp/night light

FURNITURE
□ Change table, storage boxes
□ Cot/crib
□ Chest of drawers, wardrobe

Calling an Ambulance

2007-03-01T09:25:00.001+09:00

The national number for ambulance services is 119. To ask someone to call an ambulance ("Kyukusha kudasai!"). It is advised to give the request and directions in Japanese. However, operators should understand basic English (don't use full sentences). You will be asked:

Sho bo cho. Kaji desu ka? Kyu kyu desu ka? (Fire department or ambulance)
Kyu kyu desu. (I require an ambulance)
Do shimashita ka? (What is the matter?)
Shusan desu ga, hayaku kite kudasai. (I am in labour, please come quickly).
Nani-ku, nani machi, nan-ban desu ka? (What is your address?)
Jusho wa _________ku, __________cho, __________chome. (My address is….)
Chikaku no mokuhyo wa? (Is there a well known landmark nearby?)
________ no chikaku desu (______ is near by)
Namae wa? (What is your name?)
Denwa bango wa? (What is your phone number?)

What to Bring to the Hospital

2007-03-01T09:23:00.001+09:00

(Sample Checklist)

For Labor

_______ Birth Plan

_______ Bathrobe (if hospital or birth center does not supply one or you want your own)

_______ Slippers

_______ PJ's or old T-shirt to give birth in

_______ Socks

_______ Tennis Ball or rolling pin (for back labour massage)

_______ Massage Oils or lotions

_______ Hair band

_______ Lip Moisturizer

_______ Cooling facial spray

_______ Snacks and drinks

_______ Watch with a second hand to time contractions

_______ Camera and/or video camera

_______ Relaxation materials; books, magazines, card games or music

_______ Pictures of someone or something you love (the inspiration you may need to see you through to the end.)

For Coach

_______ Toiletries

_______ Change of clothes

_______ Snacks

Postpartum

_______ Going home outfit

_______ Nursing Bras

_______ Breast Pads

_______ Sanitary napkins

_______ Lots of underwear

_______ Nightgown (front-opening, cotton)

_______ Toiletries

_______ Ear plugs and eye-shade

_______ Address book, plus lots of change/prepaid cards for all the phone calls you will need to make.

For Baby

_______ Infant car seat

_______ Outfit for the trip home (one-piece stretchy outfits are easiest)

_______ Receiving blanket (a heavy one if weather is cold, otherwise Muslin or cotton)

_______ Diapers (if you are using cloth, include your own diaper pins)

_______ Baby Wipes

_______ Baby Nail clippers

_______ One pair of socks or booties

_______ Cap

_______ Bunting or snowsuit for winter

Birth Plan

2007-03-01T09:15:00.001+09:00

These are indications/examples only.. feel free to do your own, or none at all..

Environment:
□ Private Birthing Room
□ Dim Lights
□ Peace and Quiet
□ Bring our own Music
□ Wear my own clothes
□ Private Phone
□ We would like to video labor and birth.
□ We would like to take pictures during labor and birth.
□ No unnecessary exams or visits by students, residents, etc.
□ Minimal vaginal exams

Procedures and Labor:
□ Free to walk around, go to the bathroom throughout labor.
□ Freedom to move in bed only (up to the bathroom)
□ Mobility not important (catheter, used with regular epidural)
□ I would prefer to avoid an enema and/or shaving of pubic hair.
□ I would like to be able to eat & drink whatever I want.
□ I would like to be free to drink clear fluids.
□ I would like Ice Chips available to me at all times.
□ I do not want an IV unless I become dehydrated.
□ I would like to choose my positions for pushing and giving birth:
□ Semi-reclining
□ Side-lying position
□ Squatting
□ Hands and knees
□ Whatever feels right at the time
□ As long as my baby and I are doing fine, I'd like the pushing stage to be allowed to progress free of stringent time limits

Monitoring:
□ I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring unless it is required by the condition of the baby.
□ I do not want an internal monitor unless the baby has shown some sign of distress.
□ I prefer fetal monitoring.

In the event that I require or have chosen fetal monitoring, my preference is:
□ Fetoscopy
□ Doppler ultrasound
□ External Electronic Monitor
□ Internal Electronic Monitor

Pain Relief Options:
□ I plan to give birth naturally without medication and will be coping with pain using the following techniques:
□ Bradley Method
□ Lamaze
□ Water (Shower or tub)
□ The Alexander Technique
□ Massage
□ Acupressure
□ Doula
□ Other, Please state:___________________
□ I am attempting a natural childbirth but if I ask for pain medication I'd like to use:
□ Stadol
□ Nubain
□ Demerol
□ Walking Epidural (low dose)
□ Epidural block
□ Please administer pain medication as soon as possible.
□ Stadol
□ Nubain
□ Demerol
□ Walking Epidural (low dose)
□ Epidural block

Induction:
□ I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially unless their are signs of fetal distress.
□ If labor is not progressing, I would like to have the amniotic membrane ruptured before other methods are used to augment labor.
□ I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods before medical methods or medications are used.

If you choose to be induced or it becomes medically necessary please state your preferences:
□ Pitocin ®
□ Prostaglandin gel
□ Amniotomy

Complications & Cesareans
□ Unless absolutely necessary, I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
□ If my primary caregiver recommends a cesarean birth I would like a second opinion if time warrants.
□ If my primary physician recommends a Cesarean. I accept and will cooperate with the procedure at any time.

Normal Childbirth (vaginal delivery)
□ I would like a mirror available so I can see the baby's head when it crowns.
□ I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
□ I would like to try to deliver in a hands-and-knees position.
□ Please dim the lights for the birth
□ I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when the baby is born.
□ To hold my baby right away, putting off any procedures that aren't urgent
□ To breastfeed as soon as possible

Placenta
□ I want an injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
□ I do not want a injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
□ I would like to see the placenta after it is delivered.

Episiotomy
□ Prefer No Episiotomy (Massage, compresses, positioning, etc.) (Select this one if you would prefer no episiotomy but not to the point of tearing.)
□ Prefer to Tear (Massage, compresses, positioning, etc.) (Select this option if you would prefer to tear than have an episiotomy.)
□ Episiotomy
□ Pressure Episiotomy (Done without anesthesia, although you cannot feel it due to the pressure from the baby's head.)
□ Local Anesthesia (for repair)

Cesarean Delivery
□ Spinal/epidural anesthesia
□ General anesthesia
□ I would like my partner or coach present
□ I would like my partner to be able to take Video/Pictures
□ Screen lowered to view birth
□ Touch the baby as soon as possible
□ Partner to cut cord
□ Other (Please specify):

Baby Care
Umbilical Cord:
□ Partner would like to cut cord
□ I would like to cut the cord
□ Neither of us wishes to cut the cord
□ Don’t’cut the cord before it stops pulsating

Eye Care:
□ None
□ Delayed for bonding time
□ Immediate

Feeding Baby:
□ Breast feeding only
□ Bottle feeding only
□ Combination
□ No pacifiers or glucose water (This would be to avoid nipple confusion.)

Separation:
□ No separation. Baby/ Mother rooming in.
□ Delayed (after recovery period)
□ Partial Rooming-In (Baby with mother during day, but not night.)
□ Nursery (baby brought to you on your schedule.)

Circumcision:
□ In the Hospital
□ Parents Present
□ Use anesthesia (Depends on the practitioner)
□ None (Check here if you do not intend to have the baby circumcised, or if you do not intend to have him circumcised at the birth place.)
□ Do not retract the foreskin

Sick Infant:
□ Breast feeding as possible
□ Unlimited visitation for parents
□ Handling the baby (holding, care of, etc.)
□ If baby is transported to another facility, move us as soon as possible

Registration Procedure

2007-02-28T21:08:00.000+09:00

WHEN YOU BECOME PREGNANT
When you find out that you are pregnant, obtain a notification of pregnancy form, which is available at your local ward office/city hall. Record your name, address and the name of you hospital on the form. You will receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook and the Mother and Child Health Bag. The Maternal and Child Health Handbook is needed for routine pregnancy health checkups. Please keep the Handbook as it can be used to certify your child’s vaccination record. The Mother and Child Health Bag contains two application forms enabling you to receive free pregnancy health checkups, as well as information on Pregnancy classes, information of health consultations for new mothers, and a birth registration form.

NOTIFICATION OF BIRTH WHEN YOUR BABY IS BORN
When your child is born, you must report the birth to the city office of the area where you reside. Ask your doctor for the certificate of live birth and submit the Birth Notification Certificate to the Registration Subsection, Resident Registration Section within 14 days of birth. City hall will issue you a certificate of registration for birth notification (Shussei Todoke Kisai Jiko Shomeisho).

WHERE TO NOTIFY
The local municipal office where the birth occurred or the municipal office where the notifying person maintains his/her current residency.

WHO SHOULD NOTIFY
Mother or Father

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS
Notification of birth (attached certificate of birth must bear the signature of the attending physician), both parents’ passports and alien registration cards, and the Mother and Child Health Handbook.

IMPORTANT NOTE
For babies born in Japan, if one parent is a Japanese national, the child automatically becomes a Japanese nationality. For other babies their nationality will be determined in accordance with the law of their parents countries.

FOREIGN RESIDENT REGISTRATION
Bring the certificate of birth notification to the Foreign Resident Registration Subsection, Resident Registration section for foreign resident registration within 60 days of birth.

APPLICATION FOR PASSPORT
Apply at your embassy in Japan.

APPLICATION FOR STATUS OF RESIDENCE AND PERIOD OF STAY
Apply at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau within 30 days of birth.

REGISTRATION OF GRANTED STATUS OF RESIDENCE AND PERIOD OF STAY
Bring your baby’s passport and foreign resident registration card within 14 days of acquiring status of residence and period of stay to the Foreign Resident Registration Subsection, Resident Registration Section.

Please refer to your local ward office for more information.

Tokyo Pregnancy Group

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Bella's Cupcakes!

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A great new resource in Tokyo!

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Primary care physician

K&Maternity

Aardvark

Recommended Reading Material

Yoga

Yoga

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New Time & Day Updated English Prenantal Yoga Class @ Hiroo

English Prenantal Yoga Class @ Hiroo New Time & Day Updated