So, the other day I mentioned that Mr H and I have been taking vitamins for ages. Buying vitamins in Japan is quite expensive, and I am (for some reason) questionable about their quality. Most big supermarkets and drug stores stock Naturemade (or was it Naturesown), and sometimes a generic (which is cheaper- but again I am unsure about the quality).
Instead, we buy our vitamins from the US. I was using Vitacost, which is cheap and has a great selection- but international postage will send you broke pretty quickly.
These days, I use iherb. The prices are still cheap, but shipping is amazingly cheap. I order several kilos worth of stuff at a time, and I think they have a Y400 flat rate. If you don't have a credit card and are only ordering a little bit, you can use Yamato Cash on Delivery (which is a bit more). Recently, they have had free shipping to Japan- so sign up to the newsletter and look out for specials. If you use this code- MGH707 you will get a discount- yay!
I also order groceries from there too, such a curry sauces, lentils, licorish (love the stuff), and healthy crackers (gosh knows Japan hadn't caught onto the multigrain craze). The only thing they didn't have was TUMS., so I went back to vitacost and paid about $12 for shipping from there last night (as the heartburn seems to have started).
For me, online shopping is the best way to survive over here when I am craving something besides rice, or rice derived products....
Wednesday 28 August 2013
Tuesday 27 August 2013
Off to the doctor
Still super excited from the positive result, I really wanted to get the baby ball rolling. I had read so many conflicting reports on when to go to the doctor from blogs; some were saying to wait 8 weeks, some were saying you can go straight away. I did a bit of research and found* a doctor in a few towns over, about a 20min drive away. There was small one birthing clinic in my town (that looks a bit like a little shack) but as it is my first child, I felt that having a baby in a bigger place would be better for me and more of a chance that they might speak English. I also chose my clinic based on the fact that they had a really professional website and set up. Also, they do epidurals, which is SUPER rare in Japan (from what I have read). I am thinking I won't be going down that route and do it Japanese style but it is good to know that the less painful option might be there. This clinic is a lot more expensive than our local one. I believe it is about Y600000, maybe more, where as the local clinic was about Y400000. I believe in Japan we get about Y420000 from the government as a baby bonus to pay for the birth (I am still to confirm this number), so with the clinic I have chosen it might only leave us about Y200000 out of pocket.
Anyhoo, so on Monday morning, off I drove to the clinic. The reception area was lovely, with so many pregnant women waiting and their partners. There were a few receptionists behind the desk and also like a concierge (not really), who greets people and helps them. So she sat me down, and (after telling her I can't read Kanji well) she walked me through the form. If your Japanese is about my level (which my teacher thinks I would pass the N4 test- so, lower intermediate) it would be great to bring someone along. I muddled through with my Japanese and my dictionary (for the medical words), and got there without too much trouble.
After I filled out the form, she took me over to get my blood pressure tested (which is a self testing machine in Japan). After which, she told me to sit down and wait for the bathroom and when I go in to write my details on a cup (which was literally a paper cup), fill it up and then open the little window and stick it through, and to do this every time I come in. Though I understood it all, I was a little unsure I had translated it correctly, but luckily it all made sense when I got into the bathroom. After that, there was a wait for a nurse and thank goodness, they gave me one who spoke a little bit of English. Which at that stage made it go a little bit quicker as we had to run through my medical history- which really would have been pushing it for me. We took my weight and then it was another wait in a different area for a doctor. She told me that the doctor I would be seeing is old, and he talks really fast but he could speak a little bit of English- Yay!.
The wait at this clinic was quite short, I think this is due to the no nonsense approach and kind of lack of bedside manner (not that the doctor was rude, but just no mucking around.). So off I went where he greeted me and then a nurse took me to 'the chair' (which is half hidden by a curtain) where I was told to strip off and climb into the stirrups. Once ready, they move the chair higher until your bottom half is completely covered by the curtain, so all you can see is the occasional pair of feet. It's a little weird to get used to, but I suppose it's the way they do things over here. I just hope they aren't pulling faces behind there.
First thing first was a pap smear (ouch), but then after they do the internal ultrasound and sure enough, on the screen next to me was a little dot, about 3.8mm wide. "Congratulations, you're pregnant".
After all was done, I was rushed out of there pretty quick (not rudely, but I got the impression that sitting for a chat or getting advice was not the thing to do). The only thing he said to me was that I shouldn't have any hot springs any more (being Summer right now, it really isn't a problem though). He did ask if I had any questions, so I asked if my husband could be in the delivery room with me. He kind of brushed me off, but said yes, so I got the impression that the time for those sorts of questions was not yet, if never.
The visit cost Y10500 (about $120). These visits should (hopefully) be subsidised in the future by the government once I notify them of my pregnancy (but I got the impression from the receptionist it might be too early to do that yet). I will go back in 8 weeks if it all goes well (fingers crossed), but until then, it will be baby steps on the long road ahead...
*********************************************************************************
*This is a great site to find an OB/GYN. It is in Japanese, but if you have google chrome set to autotranslate, you will hopefully be able to find a doctor around your area. http://women.benesse.ne.jp/kensaku/obstetrics_and_gynecology/
Here are some useful words for pregnancy related things that I got from this site (great site, by the way): http://tokyopregnancygroup.blogspot.jp/2007/03/labour-and-delivery-japanese-vocabulary.html
Anyhoo, so on Monday morning, off I drove to the clinic. The reception area was lovely, with so many pregnant women waiting and their partners. There were a few receptionists behind the desk and also like a concierge (not really), who greets people and helps them. So she sat me down, and (after telling her I can't read Kanji well) she walked me through the form. If your Japanese is about my level (which my teacher thinks I would pass the N4 test- so, lower intermediate) it would be great to bring someone along. I muddled through with my Japanese and my dictionary (for the medical words), and got there without too much trouble.
After I filled out the form, she took me over to get my blood pressure tested (which is a self testing machine in Japan). After which, she told me to sit down and wait for the bathroom and when I go in to write my details on a cup (which was literally a paper cup), fill it up and then open the little window and stick it through, and to do this every time I come in. Though I understood it all, I was a little unsure I had translated it correctly, but luckily it all made sense when I got into the bathroom. After that, there was a wait for a nurse and thank goodness, they gave me one who spoke a little bit of English. Which at that stage made it go a little bit quicker as we had to run through my medical history- which really would have been pushing it for me. We took my weight and then it was another wait in a different area for a doctor. She told me that the doctor I would be seeing is old, and he talks really fast but he could speak a little bit of English- Yay!.
The wait at this clinic was quite short, I think this is due to the no nonsense approach and kind of lack of bedside manner (not that the doctor was rude, but just no mucking around.). So off I went where he greeted me and then a nurse took me to 'the chair' (which is half hidden by a curtain) where I was told to strip off and climb into the stirrups. Once ready, they move the chair higher until your bottom half is completely covered by the curtain, so all you can see is the occasional pair of feet. It's a little weird to get used to, but I suppose it's the way they do things over here. I just hope they aren't pulling faces behind there.
First thing first was a pap smear (ouch), but then after they do the internal ultrasound and sure enough, on the screen next to me was a little dot, about 3.8mm wide. "Congratulations, you're pregnant".
After all was done, I was rushed out of there pretty quick (not rudely, but I got the impression that sitting for a chat or getting advice was not the thing to do). The only thing he said to me was that I shouldn't have any hot springs any more (being Summer right now, it really isn't a problem though). He did ask if I had any questions, so I asked if my husband could be in the delivery room with me. He kind of brushed me off, but said yes, so I got the impression that the time for those sorts of questions was not yet, if never.
The visit cost Y10500 (about $120). These visits should (hopefully) be subsidised in the future by the government once I notify them of my pregnancy (but I got the impression from the receptionist it might be too early to do that yet). I will go back in 8 weeks if it all goes well (fingers crossed), but until then, it will be baby steps on the long road ahead...
*********************************************************************************
*This is a great site to find an OB/GYN. It is in Japanese, but if you have google chrome set to autotranslate, you will hopefully be able to find a doctor around your area. http://women.benesse.ne.jp/kensaku/obstetrics_and_gynecology/
Here are some useful words for pregnancy related things that I got from this site (great site, by the way): http://tokyopregnancygroup.blogspot.jp/2007/03/labour-and-delivery-japanese-vocabulary.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
Hajime Baby
So this blog is a bit of a mix- Half to help other pregnant gaijin in Japan, and half to track my own adventure of having a baby (I apologise for the TMI that may come from the latter). Please also note I am not a doctor and have no idea what I am doing.
*********************************************************************************
It all started about 9 months ago (December 2012), when my husband (whom I will refer to here on as Mr H) and I decided that one day in the near future, we would have a baby. We were planning on starting in April, but a new job and a move meant I wanted to do the right thing by my company and postpone it. Though, I did reveal before I was hired that we were planning on starting a family sometime later in the year (and was hired any way). It is worth noting that if you are married and of a certain age, employers will ask if you (a) have kids, or (b) are wanting them soon, and most won't touch you if the answer yes to is either. I was lucky that my boss is a foreigner, and I guess he weighed the pros and cons.
So since December last year, I have been on all the multivitamins, DHA, calcium and vitamin D, and Mr has been taking Multivitamins with folate, zinc, DHA, calcium and iron. I went off the pill in February and started tracking my (irregular) cycles. We are not sure if it was because of all the planning, the daily shagging, or just plain luck, but when we started trying this month we were fortunate enough to fall pregnant straight away.
I had an inkling right away as I was having massive cramps before the communists were supposed to begin their march (which never happens) and then they failed to appear (though, with my irregularity, it was no surprise). Two days later (the earlier you take a test, the more chance of a false positive) I took a test* and bam! Two blue lines signalling the start of a new adventure. Yay!
*********************************************************************************
*Home pregnancy tests can be bought easily from the big pharmacies. 'Create' is the big one in my area, and they are found in the sanitary napkin aisle. I have read that sometimes they are near the condoms though. I bought a pack with two, as it was one test for Y800, or two for Y1100. I have since found cheaper at other pharmacies, but when you are that excited to find out, who wants to shop around. I bought a 'clear blue' test because it is an international brand and has basic English instructions inside (or, mine did).
*********************************************************************************
It all started about 9 months ago (December 2012), when my husband (whom I will refer to here on as Mr H) and I decided that one day in the near future, we would have a baby. We were planning on starting in April, but a new job and a move meant I wanted to do the right thing by my company and postpone it. Though, I did reveal before I was hired that we were planning on starting a family sometime later in the year (and was hired any way). It is worth noting that if you are married and of a certain age, employers will ask if you (a) have kids, or (b) are wanting them soon, and most won't touch you if the answer yes to is either. I was lucky that my boss is a foreigner, and I guess he weighed the pros and cons.
So since December last year, I have been on all the multivitamins, DHA, calcium and vitamin D, and Mr has been taking Multivitamins with folate, zinc, DHA, calcium and iron. I went off the pill in February and started tracking my (irregular) cycles. We are not sure if it was because of all the planning, the daily shagging, or just plain luck, but when we started trying this month we were fortunate enough to fall pregnant straight away.
I had an inkling right away as I was having massive cramps before the communists were supposed to begin their march (which never happens) and then they failed to appear (though, with my irregularity, it was no surprise). Two days later (the earlier you take a test, the more chance of a false positive) I took a test* and bam! Two blue lines signalling the start of a new adventure. Yay!
*********************************************************************************
*Home pregnancy tests can be bought easily from the big pharmacies. 'Create' is the big one in my area, and they are found in the sanitary napkin aisle. I have read that sometimes they are near the condoms though. I bought a pack with two, as it was one test for Y800, or two for Y1100. I have since found cheaper at other pharmacies, but when you are that excited to find out, who wants to shop around. I bought a 'clear blue' test because it is an international brand and has basic English instructions inside (or, mine did).
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