I just found out last week that I'm pregnant (6 weeks I think). I don't know what I'm supposed to do! I went to the doctor this morning (a random one - Tokyo British Clinic - since I've been completely healthy all the time we've lived here so never needed one before) and he seemed pretty uninterested, telling me to come back in a few weeks for 'preliminary screening' whatever that means. Can anybody point me in the direction of some instructions, advice, anything? I'm sorry if this all sounds incoherent, I'm not really thinking straight just now ('panicky' is the best description)!

Congratulations!

Well, you at least need a doctor that gives you more information. There are a few obstetricians who speak English.

Suggest you:
Call Tokyo English Life Line at 5774-0992 and ask for referrals.

Start the process of establishing yourself with one and getting pre-natal exams. Typically once a month for the first six months or so and then more frequently as the birth approaches. Also, may vary depending on complications that may be detected.

There are also several books available on "So, you're going to have a baby." Getting yourself educated is the first order of business.

Can also do a Google search on variations of "having a baby". There are many sites. Again, information is the way to get out of being panicky and into enjoying and looking forward to a great experience. (Your relationship with your child has already started.)

Another part of this is signing up for birth classes, hopefully with your partner/husband.

Let us know if you need more.

Hi Lisa!
Japan, for all the complaints we may have about it, has quite a few options available for women who are pregnant.

I highly recccomend the book, "Being A Broad in Japan" by Caroline Pover, a great reference for many Women's survival issues! She has interviewed many women and lets them tell about their pregnancy experience in their own words. There is a chapter just about "Mothers", covering all aspects of pregnancy , birth, daycare, and even schools. You may be able to get some of the information in the book from the Beingabroad website.

Although specifically for Western women (she states that Asian women have different issues and need a book of their own --that she isn't necessarily qualified to write) I think that a lot of the information is good for any woman in Japan.

Good luck!

I would suggest contacting Brett Iimura from Childbirth Education Centre here in Tokyo, 03-3414-7458 for a chat about anything related to pregnancy and childbirth in Japan. She has many years of experience here.
Also go along to the Tokyo Pregnancy group and hear the different speakers and hang out with other expectant mothers. See
http://www.geocities.com/tokyopregnancygroup/

I had a similar sort of response when I first got pregnant. I went to the ward office to pick up my "boshi techo" (for more on this subject read http://www.tokyowithkids.com/fyi/boshi_techo.html) and they wouldn't issue one to me until I had been to a doctor to verify the pregnancy! I was astounded that my word wasn't enough. After all, I know whether or not I've had my period, right?

I get the feeling that the system has not shifted gears yet to include the realizations that the first 3 months are in some ways the most important ones in fetal development. Of course the greatest majority of miscarriages occur in the first 3 months as well. However, if the pregnancy is wished for, then the sooner a woman realizes her pregnancy and starts being very, very good to herself (in health terms), the best chances the baby will have of developing normally.

Actually this has been known for at least 40 years. They were able to pinpoint the exact days during fetal development when limb loss occurred in the dramatic story of that sedative used in Europe, thalidomide, because they had a fairly large and accurate data base where women remembered specifically taking the medication on such and such a day due to a funeral, etc. And the facts pointed out that even in the first 3-4 weeks, it was possible for irreversable damage to occur to the fetus.

Hi Lisa!
Congratulations!
Although I moved back to Holland and gave birth there on March 25 I was in Tokyo during my pregnancy. There is a pregnant moms group with women from all over the world, they meet 2x per month. I also give you the following e-mail address TokyoBabes@yahoogroups.com most moms from the pregnancy group join this group after giving birth.

I went to Doctor Sakamoto (Tokyo Medical & Surgical clinic)the first months (great doctor, speaks very good English) and later to the Toho Women's clinic (female doctor Hisami Matsumine) http://www.toho-clinic.or.jp/English/top.html Dr. Sakamoto can be very expensive if you have to pay for everything yourself.

http://www.babycenter.com here you can keep track of your pregnancy and get good info and tips... I am 38 and Sarah was my first child, I didn't go to any classes and gave birth with a wonderful obstetrician without any complications, painkillers (only laughing gas) and without tearing! I did yoga at home with a video and some fitness...
So, inform yourself but do not read too much....

Enjoy and good luck! Monique

Hi everyone
Just to say thanks for your advice and support. I'm feeling much calmer this week!
Lisa

Hi
Does anyone have any suggestions for an obstetrician in the Utsukushigaoka, Shin Yurigaoka, Aoba, Tama Puraza areas? Does not neccessarily have to be an english speaking doctor. Would prefer to steer clear of the big hospitals.
Thanks!

hi
as im 16 weeks pregnant and having thyried problem also i would like to knowis there any good hospital and doctors available near kamaeri(katsushika-ku)and any mums who can meet me and give me some idea about pregnant cause im very scared about my pregnancy and if i dont satiesfied i may have to go my own country for my labour. Any information appreciable.....sonali my mail address is sonusharoff@yahoo.com

Hi Sonali Jain. This is my first time to post on this forum so bare me. I live away from Kameari (I'm in Yokohama), but I assume you usually can get info through your public health center (hokenjo). The hokenjo is supposed to support residents by answering questions and providing info, and there should be midwives who can tell you about doctors and give advise on pregnancy and childcare. The problem would be language, but I understand that every ward (ku) in Tokyo has an international exchange center. I did a quick check and found the site for the one in Katsushika.
http://www.kccf.or.jp/kie/en/index.html
Their "Information for Daily Life" sections has some info on pregnancy. Also, I'm sure your embassy can provide info on your own language as well. Hope it helps.

Morning sickness.
I am just getting over some awful morning sickness where I lost about 6kg in 5 weeks. I found that the easiest way to cope with it was to always wear a hair-tie around your wrist and take a glass of warm water in the toilet with you. Get in there, tie the hair back, drink 90% of the water as quickly as possible and then wait, one of 3 things will happen, 1 - nothing, 2 - big belches, 3 - the ole' heave ho made alot more pleasant by the water. Then use the remaining water to rinse and gargle.
Good luck ladies!

Dear All,
I am Khanitha, come from Thailand, who is now 6.5 months pregnant. I am now staying in Narashino-shi, Chiba. My husband and I just moved to Japan 2 months ago and we both still cannot speak any Japanese yet. We are now looking for a good place to give birth, preferably in Narashino-shi which is more convenient for us (or somewhere near Narashino). We need to have an OB who can communicate in English.
Can anybody help advising me on this? So far, I am going to Makuhari Ladies Clinic for monthly check up (this is the best we can get so far). The Ob can speak a bit (really a bit) of English. Sometimes he doesn't answer my questions !!!
Thank you and hope to hear from you guys soon.
Cheers
Khanitha

First off...congratulations on your pregnancy! I lived in Chiba for 8 years (near Narita). There is a new hospital in the Inzai shi area. It's a big huge sprawling complex of buildings...all shiny and new! It's actually a training hospital and it's my understanding that they speak English there. I've never gone so I can't guarantee that.

I don't have their local telephone number but I do have the branch # in Tokyo if you want to start your search from there. It's called "The Nippon Medical School" and their number is 03-5814-6841.

Good luck! Lea

Hi all, I am not pregnant, but have a nine month old baby boy. We are leaving Tokyo, and highly recommend our nanny/housekeeper to help out with the new baby. I went from one baby to two( I also have a five year old)and without the help of my nanny,, I don't know how I would have managed. Please email me at tamarasonia@hotmail.com if you are ineterested in hiring someone for part time or full time. I know you would be happy with her. Thanks, and good luck.

Hello All
I am 8 weeks pregnant and live in Haijima west of Tachikawa. I would like advice on a clinic close to Haijima (this may also include anywhere from Tachikawa to the area around Yokota airbase) that provides a good English language service for expectant mothers with all relevant antenatal care. I know of two in the area: Taisei Hospital, Fussa and Ogata Women's Clinic, Ozaku. Does anyone have experience of these two clinics, can offer an opinion on the best or suggest another suitable clinic in the area?
Thankyou
Lou

Hello all. I am nearly 8 weeks pregnant and am looking for a doctor/clinic in Chiba. I live in Urayasu-shi which is about 10 minutes drive from Disneyland but am prepared to drive no more than 20 minutes to get to a doctor. I dont speak any Japanese and my husband speaks basic Japanese - so a doctor/clinic with basic English would be great. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

hi,

I am 7 months pregnant and planning to give birth in japan we are looking for a cheap birth option and we are leaving in matsudo-chiba. can anyone recommend pls? and can you give us an estimated cost?

thanks,
marbie