Resource: Mom and Baby Friendly Hospitals, Maternity Clinics, and Birth Houses in the Tokyo Area

One of our TPG admin, Jocelyn Saito, has created a list compiling various recommended hospitals, maternity clinics, and birth houses in the Tokyo area! 

All of these caregivers come recommended from fellow mothers in the Tokyo community and promote policies such as:

• supporting skin to skin directly after birth if there are no complications

• allowing for alternative birthing positions/options such as a water birth, birthing off the table or in a position other than your back

• allowing for a birth partner in the room with you during labor and delivery

• allowing your partner and baby to room in with you during your stay (or at least baby)

• promoting breastfeeding directly after birth and provides consultations in the following recovery days

And possibly:

• access to pain relief, such as an epidural 

• English support (although not required for this list)

Check out the post here!

KidGuard - Internet Security for Children

KidGuard is a technology services company that provides information & tools for parents to keep their kids safe online.

The KidGuard Phone Monitoring service is a cell phone tracking software provided to parents to monitor their child's text messages, gps location, track phone logs, chats, allowing parents to stay on top of issues such as cyberbullying, online predators, teen depression, and other risks to their children arising from the internet.

www.kidguard.com

KidGuard has recently published a how-to guide to educate parents on the importance of developing their children's digital citizenship and safe online behavior.
https://www.kidguard.com/cell-phone-monitoring-and-gps-tracking/ 

Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates

My body my pilates

My body my pilates offeres Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates lessons (private, group or home visit)

Please follow Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Mybodymypilates/

or email: mybodymypilates@gmail.com

Contact: Helen

Best Living Japan (Tokyo Stroller Update)

Tokyo Stroller recently merged with Best Living Japan to bring more family-friendly content to TPG members. They hope the free information on pregnancy, doctor and hospital fees and baby care guides will be helpful:

http://www.bestlivingjapan.com

Quick link to doctor and hospital fees: 

http://www.bestlivingjapan.com/category/guides/pregnant-in-japan/

Quick link to baby care guide:

http://www.bestlivingjapan.com/category/guides/baby-care/

Trying to Conceive (TTC)

The Acura Acupuncture Clinic have a established a new group for English speaking residents of Japan to find support on their infertility journey. Details can be found on their website:

http://www.ttctokyo.org

Tokyo Doula Support

PRE-NATAL, BIRTH AND POST-PARTUM DOULA SUPPORT IN TOKYO

If you are interested in having a birth companion or coach to help support you before, during, or after pregnancy, Stephanie Kawai offers English speaking Doula support services here in Tokyo. You can read about her services on her website:  https://tokyodoulasupport.wordpress.com/

Bringing Baby Home Workshop

(Advertisement)

Sherilyn Siy, speaker at our TPG March 5th meeting, is offering a Bringing Baby Home Workshop. The proposed dates are for the last two Sundays of April - April 19th and 26th. The regular rate is ¥30,000 per couple for a minimum of 4 couples (rate would be higher for a private session), but Sherilyn is giving TPG a special rate of ¥25,000 per couple for a minimum of 4 couples. Depending on the size of the host's home, the workshop can most likely accommodate between 6-8 people. Look for more information in our coming April Newsletter or contact us at tokyopregnancygroup@gmail.com.

Article about postpartum depression

Postpartum depression affects 10 – 15% of mothers and is therefore not uncommon and certainly nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, the postpartum blues affects up to 80% of new mothers. The postpartum or baby blues are very normal and usually involve a feeling of irritability and disinterested. However, when this lasts for more than a few days to a week, it’s important to raise the issue with your doctor as it may be postpartum depression or postpartum major depression. This is when the normal baby blues develop into something more serious. You may become anxious, have trouble sleeping or – in extreme cases – be suffering from suicidal thoughts, in which case, you must seek help immediately.

Postpartum depression is thought to be caused by the changes in hormones and chemicals within the brain brought on my pregnancy and birth of your baby. However, this is one of many theories. Statistically, you’re more likely to suffer from postpartum depression if you’ve suffered from depression in the past, for example, during your pregnancy, or if depression runs in your family. Fortunately, it’s easily treatable with a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy.

If you’re displaying the signs of postpartum depression, this article has more on the symptoms and possible treatments, as well as possible explanations for your condition.

Another useful resources for mothers and families

Tokyo Stroller: Offers information on places to go in Tokyo with kids. Categories include classes, indoor & outdoor activities, kid-friendly restaurants, medical, well-being and family vacations.

She also includes information on her 2nd pregnancy (pregnancy tips, post delivery tips, etc.)

http://tokyostroller.com

TPG Excursion to Suitengu Shrine

A few TPG members headed to Suitengu Shrine to pray for an easy birth. Members followed all the rituals of washing, tossing in a few coins into the collection, ringing the bell and praying.

Some members purchased amulets to keep with them or place in their hospital bags to ensure a safe birth.  Since dogs are thought to have an easy labor, the shine features a dog statue with her puppy. Everyone was sure to give the mother dog a rub.  It was a fun afternoon! 


Suitengu Shrine
2-4-1 Nihonbashi-kakigaracho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
03-3666-7195
Open daily 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Pregnancy Sewing Classes

Pregnancy Sewing Classes

The Sewing Circle is offering special Sewing Classes for international pregnant women

in Tokyo!

If you have difficulties finding pregnancy clothes in Japan, learn to make your own 

or get a better fitting for the garments that you already have.

With much creativity and a few simple techniques it is easier than you think

and maybe you are even getting in the mood to sew some items for your new baby.

Please check http://sewingcircle.wordpress.com/sewing-classes for details.

Distance Doula

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

Other useful resources for mothers and families

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/

Brett Iimura CEC courses going online via skype after April!

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

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

Birth, Childbirth Preparation and Doula Services (TPG Speaker)

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

First Aid Class Resources Available in Tokyo

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

CPR for Infants (Age less than 1)

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.
2. Open the airway
• Open the airway using a head tilt lifting of chin. Do no tilt the head too far back.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 

Birth Announcement Cards

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

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