Tokyo Pregnancy Group

Sep 27, 2010

Natural remedies to aid milk production

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.

Sep 10, 2010

Bella's Cupcakes!

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).

Aug 24, 2010

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/

Aug 23, 2010

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

Aug 1, 2010

A great new resource in Tokyo!

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.

Nov 18, 2009

Influenza A (H1N1)

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

Jul 23, 2009

Psychiatric/Psychological Care

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/