I think the beauty of having your first pregnancy in a foreign country is that you don't really have anything to compare it with. I am a bit on the obsessive side with learning about lil' bean, but it's not in a so-I-can-control-every-last-detail sort of way. I LOVE researching child development. I find it absolutely fascinating! When I was in college, I actually switched my major to education after taking a Child Development class because I was so intrigued with cognitive development in young minds. All that to say I have been reading and researching like WHOA! Another reason behind my madness in reading book after book on pregnancy, labor and delivery, and child development is because I know once I get in the delivery room, I probably will not have the slightest clue what is going on. The main reason - I can't speak Japanese. I have learned conversational Japanese, but medical terms.... riiiiight!
Well anyway, in all my reading, what I am finding out is that pregnancy in Japan is quite different. So here is where my research and doctor visits have led me:
1) My doctors expect me to gain 8 kg... yes people that would be just over 17 pounds. At the most, he would like to see 10 kg (22 pounds). I am also warned that I will be getting several lectures about my weight if I go over... yippee!
2) They encourage pregnant women to eat sushi here. The vinegar in the rice soothes the stomach and the fish is really good protein. They do advice against high mercury fish, which would be the deep water fish (aka the kind that usually grosses me out). Another note on this: while I know most Americans don't agree with this, the Japanese women typically do not take any prenatal supplements (including Omega-3) because they get an adequate amount of vitamins from their food.
3) I will not be getting an epidural. Regardless of my opinion on it, my hospital simply does not offer it.
4) I get an ultrasound with nearly every doctor visit. I think in the States, the standard is 2 per pregnancy.
5) Health Insurance does not cover pregnancy or labor and delivery. However, you do get a large chunk reimbursed to you after the birth from the Government. I also have vouchers that cover the majority of my doctor visits.
6) I have to stay in the hospital for 7 days after delivery! 7 days folks! They are serious about women having time to recover and they make it happen... dang!
7) For those 7 days, I will be rooming with 3 other ladies who just gave birth. They are very strict on noise control, so if I want to do anything that involves noise, I have to have ear phones.... oh and no computers allowed. We do have the option of getting a private room, but that is an additional $1500 we have to fork up that will not be reimbursed.
8) Speaking of noise control, I am expect to keep a zipped lip during labor. I have heard this hospital isn't super strict on this, but they do expect me to NOT be screaming.
9) I have to quite my gym and I am told to do very little exercise if any. Now this is one area I don't agree with, so I am anticipating the crazy stare-downs I get when my belly is showing and I am out on a light jog.
10) My school is already making me sit in chapel. Usually we stand for the 20 minutes every morning, but not this girl. I have my very own seat in the back and I have been told three times now that I really should be taking a blanket with me to keep the baby warm.
11) Japanese babies typically sleep on an infant futon on the floor. Now while I won't be doing this with my baby, I do have to say it puts my heart at ease about not getting a crib. A crib is something most mommas dream about decorating the baby room around (at least this soon-to-be-momma does). But, we live in a tiny studio. The baby will not have their own room and we have NO SPACE for a crib.
There is a much greater list that include things that only mommies want to read about. Things like episiotomies, baby rooming-in, and breast feeding. For now though, I will just keep it at this.
Again I have to emphasize that I am thankful I have never given birth in another country yet because I really have nothing to compare this to except for what I have heard. This is going to be different and uncomfortable at times. It's also going to be an amazing growing experience. I am excited to give birth in Japan... even if it seems forever away. I am thankful that I am in a country that really values pregnant women and insists on protecting them and baby (even if it seems like overprotection at times).
