Another week down, and only 30 or so more to go. Yay. This week the nausea has been pretty mild, most of the time it is barely noticeable, but if I get hungry or smell something then sometimes I get a wave of an intense need to vomit. I am glad that it is week 10 already so there may only be a few more weeks before I start feeling normal. I am looking forward (kind of) to helping around the house a bit more too- and not needing my naps anymore (before this, I was severely anti-nap, but I can't get through the day without them most of the time.
Little baby is apparently officially a foetus, and her organs are starting to work already. It will be my endeavour to eat at least a little bit healthier this week, and exercise 4 times. I need to get back into it, I am just so tired and healthy food isn't the least appealing. Bread and fried potato, however, is most appealing.
Sunday 29 September 2013
Thursday 26 September 2013
Boshi techo- Mother and Child handbook
Today I finally bit the bullet and went to city hall to register my pregnancy. I was told last week by the doctor that I could go and register, but I have been putting it off due to fear (only a little), and the fact that I live in a TINY town (for Japan) where people are huge gossips- so the last thing I wanted was for it to get back to my boss before I tell him (probably in week 12).
My Japanese is about level 4- which means I can hold a basic conversation with poor grammar, and most of the time know the gist of what people are saying (though, sometimes it can be a bad thing as knowing only half of something is sometimes less helpful. Like knowing they told me not to do something, but I don't know want I can't do). I bring it up because if your Japanese is less than mine, bring a friend. I was able to get through, but they do ask some pretty obscure questions on the form you need to fill out.
I went to my city office (called something else though, because my town is not actually big enough to be classified as a city- town hall maybe) and dopely asked the first person I saw where I register a pregnancy. He pointed me a few counters down and a lovely woman sat me down (after her initial frightened look of "how on earth will I help this foreigner"). In my town they did have the bilingual mother and child handbook (aka: Boshi Techo- its a good word to remember), but she gave me a copy of the Japanese book as well, because although they are almost the same, the Japanese book has some helpful phone numbers in there as well. I am yet to decipher what the numbers are for but she thought it would be good for me to have a copy.
The form asked all the usual questions- name, husbands name, DOB, address, how many weeks along, the due date. Then if I had a cervical text ( I think for cancer- I told them yes) and then an anemia test (I said no). I thought it was an interesting question, as I am yet to have blood taken. On the form was also if it was our first child, if I drink or smoke, and also how I felt when I found out I was pregnant (very happy, happy, not so happy).
Then there was a question that left a bit of a gap in my Japanese ability- which was if I had any support here. I told her my husband is a great help, but I think she wanted family, or a family doctor. She didn't seem very satisfied (and quite worried) so I told her that my doctor and a nurse spoke a bit of English, and I have an English speaking Japanese friend, and she seemed a little happier about that.
That was about it for the form (thank goodness). She told me that they have a midwife working at the city office that I can contact if I need (though I won't due to the language barrier), and that after the baby is born they will send her out for a free visit. In my town they also give you a free dental check up if you are preggers- yay. They also give you the most sought after coupon book- which contains 14 coupons (I believe 13 for 3000Yen off, and 1 for 7000yen- I am yet to confirm). My last visit was 4000, so I think it will only cost me about 1000yen ($10) in the future, which is pretty great. Maybe I will ask a Japanese friend to help me translate it one of these days (once my pregnancy is known to the outside world).
In the pack they also give you:
The maternity key ring- which is supposed to let people know you are up the duff so that they are more likely to give up their seat.
Tissues- because it is Japan.
Leaflets- so far I can decipher the following leaflets: "smoking is bad", "how to be a good husband/father/what is happening to your wife", "formula company leaflet"- they are getting in early, "don't shake the baby", "don't let your baby play with knives", "why you should brush your child's teeth", "Mum's teeth", "mini cookbook"- not as exciting as it sounds, "don't get fat, fatty", "raw food kills babies", a leaflet for upcoming classes, a list of dentists for your free check up, "so, you're knocked up book", and two books I have no idea- because they are just pages of kanji with no pictures.
So that's that. It took about 40mins (for some reason), but I am officially registered! Yay. Now to just get through the next 7 months...
My Japanese is about level 4- which means I can hold a basic conversation with poor grammar, and most of the time know the gist of what people are saying (though, sometimes it can be a bad thing as knowing only half of something is sometimes less helpful. Like knowing they told me not to do something, but I don't know want I can't do). I bring it up because if your Japanese is less than mine, bring a friend. I was able to get through, but they do ask some pretty obscure questions on the form you need to fill out.
I went to my city office (called something else though, because my town is not actually big enough to be classified as a city- town hall maybe) and dopely asked the first person I saw where I register a pregnancy. He pointed me a few counters down and a lovely woman sat me down (after her initial frightened look of "how on earth will I help this foreigner"). In my town they did have the bilingual mother and child handbook (aka: Boshi Techo- its a good word to remember), but she gave me a copy of the Japanese book as well, because although they are almost the same, the Japanese book has some helpful phone numbers in there as well. I am yet to decipher what the numbers are for but she thought it would be good for me to have a copy.
The form asked all the usual questions- name, husbands name, DOB, address, how many weeks along, the due date. Then if I had a cervical text ( I think for cancer- I told them yes) and then an anemia test (I said no). I thought it was an interesting question, as I am yet to have blood taken. On the form was also if it was our first child, if I drink or smoke, and also how I felt when I found out I was pregnant (very happy, happy, not so happy).
Then there was a question that left a bit of a gap in my Japanese ability- which was if I had any support here. I told her my husband is a great help, but I think she wanted family, or a family doctor. She didn't seem very satisfied (and quite worried) so I told her that my doctor and a nurse spoke a bit of English, and I have an English speaking Japanese friend, and she seemed a little happier about that.
That was about it for the form (thank goodness). She told me that they have a midwife working at the city office that I can contact if I need (though I won't due to the language barrier), and that after the baby is born they will send her out for a free visit. In my town they also give you a free dental check up if you are preggers- yay. They also give you the most sought after coupon book- which contains 14 coupons (I believe 13 for 3000Yen off, and 1 for 7000yen- I am yet to confirm). My last visit was 4000, so I think it will only cost me about 1000yen ($10) in the future, which is pretty great. Maybe I will ask a Japanese friend to help me translate it one of these days (once my pregnancy is known to the outside world).
In the pack they also give you:
The maternity key ring- which is supposed to let people know you are up the duff so that they are more likely to give up their seat.
Tissues- because it is Japan.
Leaflets- so far I can decipher the following leaflets: "smoking is bad", "how to be a good husband/father/what is happening to your wife", "formula company leaflet"- they are getting in early, "don't shake the baby", "don't let your baby play with knives", "why you should brush your child's teeth", "Mum's teeth", "mini cookbook"- not as exciting as it sounds, "don't get fat, fatty", "raw food kills babies", a leaflet for upcoming classes, a list of dentists for your free check up, "so, you're knocked up book", and two books I have no idea- because they are just pages of kanji with no pictures.
So that's that. It took about 40mins (for some reason), but I am officially registered! Yay. Now to just get through the next 7 months...
Sunday 22 September 2013
Week 9
I wish I would be writing more than what I will- but unfortuanately I have caught a cold. Let me tell you, a cold in the first trimester is not fun at all. Already are most women exhausted and nauseated, but put on the symptoms of a cold and it makes one feel horrible- especially not being able to take anything, or use anything to help it get better. It also doesn't help that I can't call in sick with me job (not without no doubt attracting a lot of negative attention and we don't get sick days anyway; welcome to Eikaiwa).
Usually when I get a cold I hit the home remedies like a mad man. I chew raw garlic (nice), drink tumeric and ginger powder in milk and take honey by the teaspoon. I started that for a day or two, but then I remembered that I might hurt the little pea by doing so, so I stopped it all quick smart- except for honey and lemon in hot water. I figure that it's better to be safe than sorry, so instead just tried to rest as much as I could and also take a metaphorical teaspoon of cement to harden up a bit.
I am certainly not looking forward to the countless times I will be sick over the next few months (pregnant women get sick for longer, and more often/easily) as I teach over 100 snotty students every week. I suppose I will just have to keep that cement handy :)
Usually when I get a cold I hit the home remedies like a mad man. I chew raw garlic (nice), drink tumeric and ginger powder in milk and take honey by the teaspoon. I started that for a day or two, but then I remembered that I might hurt the little pea by doing so, so I stopped it all quick smart- except for honey and lemon in hot water. I figure that it's better to be safe than sorry, so instead just tried to rest as much as I could and also take a metaphorical teaspoon of cement to harden up a bit.
I am certainly not looking forward to the countless times I will be sick over the next few months (pregnant women get sick for longer, and more often/easily) as I teach over 100 snotty students every week. I suppose I will just have to keep that cement handy :)
Tuesday 17 September 2013
Sonogram- Week 8- kind of.
Today I went for my second appointment at the doctors- bright and early. Thanks to Japanese doctors/nurses efficiency it is a quick process that takes about 40mins or so. Blood pressure was taken with no problem, but then came to filling up the cup- problems... I had just been to the bathroom before I left (thinking that with a giant glass of water in me, I would need to pee again soon), however maybe it was performance anxiety, or just not enough time between bathroom visits, but I couldn't go more than I few drops. After I had decided I was keeping the line waiting too long (no doubt they were wondering just what the gaijin was doing in there) so I gave up and knocked on the window and told her that I went before I left and the I couldn't produce anything sufficient. Luckily for me, she said it was okay and then I had my weight taken (I have dropped about a kilo and a half- thanks to not wanting to eat anything) and the wait for the doctor.
Today my husband came with me, and I was so surprised when the nurses and doctor all said it was okay for him to come in to the ultrasound. I was shocked and was expecting to do a bit of begging- it was nice that I didn't though. After I got in, we realised why it was okay- there were two tv's. So DH (Darling Husband) waited where the doctor sits and watched, and I watched from the room whilst in the chair. It was nice that he got to see the heartbeat and the little baby on screen, which now looks more babylike due to the little arm and leg buds (it look just like Ponyo in his fishy stage). The doc said I am due April 27th, but the scan said May 1st, so we will see if that changes in my next scan.
I now need to go to city hall (they didn't give me any piece of paper though) to register the pregnancy, so we will see how successful that is. I did ask the nurse if I needed a letter, and she said just to fill out the forms (obviously going with the Japanese system of trust). I will probably do it in two weeks as Monday is the only day that I have time, and next Monday is a public holiday (so the Monday after). I'll let you know how it all goes, but until then we have another great photo on the fridge. Yay.
Today my husband came with me, and I was so surprised when the nurses and doctor all said it was okay for him to come in to the ultrasound. I was shocked and was expecting to do a bit of begging- it was nice that I didn't though. After I got in, we realised why it was okay- there were two tv's. So DH (Darling Husband) waited where the doctor sits and watched, and I watched from the room whilst in the chair. It was nice that he got to see the heartbeat and the little baby on screen, which now looks more babylike due to the little arm and leg buds (it look just like Ponyo in his fishy stage). The doc said I am due April 27th, but the scan said May 1st, so we will see if that changes in my next scan.
I now need to go to city hall (they didn't give me any piece of paper though) to register the pregnancy, so we will see how successful that is. I did ask the nurse if I needed a letter, and she said just to fill out the forms (obviously going with the Japanese system of trust). I will probably do it in two weeks as Monday is the only day that I have time, and next Monday is a public holiday (so the Monday after). I'll let you know how it all goes, but until then we have another great photo on the fridge. Yay.
Saturday 14 September 2013
8 weeks
The 8 week mark is here! Yay! Sometimes time is flying, but sometimes is is really dragging. Morning sickness in the 7th week was terrible (worse than the 6th). I felt perpetually hungover the whole time, without the fun of the night before. So far I have not thrown up, just nausea that ranges from mild level *I wish I could crawl back into bed, and don't touch me* to a moment away from throwing up *Oh god, oh god*. Luckily my husband has been great, and either cooks dinner for us both, or just takes care of himself (usually we used to take it in turns). For many nights I only ate what I could- which wasn't much, and have been surviving on grapes and soft drink. Before pregnancy I wouldn't touch soft drink, but I found that a few mouthfuls of lemonade between classes has been what I need to stop me from passing out on the floor in front of my 2 yr old students.
Thankfully this morning I am feeling a little better (though last night at 3am I was about to throw up and had to eat a banana and suck on some queasy drops until I fell asleep). Hopefully if it is going to continue I would rather have a few days break every now and then. The good news is, every week that passes is a week closer to meeting the little one. And I have read that morning sickness is a sign of a healthy pregnancy- yay!
I swear my figure has changed already- no bump, just wider hips- even though I haven't gained any weight, maybe I have lost a kilo or two though. I went out and bought a scale because I am still worried at being yelled at by my Japanese doctor if I gain the usual amount.
I also have just been looking at the clinic where I am booked into and it looks like there isn't rooming in with the baby. Gah! Not what I want at all. I mean, can you imagine going through morning sickness, pain and then the whole ordeal that is labour only to be separated from your baby for 7 days. I am going to wait until about the 15 week mark until I start pressure my doctor to do a few things the western way (like have the baby sleep in the room). The last thing that I want is to make an enemy of him this early in the game. I have heard that Kangaroo care is getting more and more common these days in Japan, so with any luck there might be other women that have requested rooming in and gotten their way.
I see my doctor on Wednesday (with husband this time- for probably his one and only visit thanks to his school festival this weekend). Let's hope all is going well and that DH will be able to meet the little pea.
Thankfully this morning I am feeling a little better (though last night at 3am I was about to throw up and had to eat a banana and suck on some queasy drops until I fell asleep). Hopefully if it is going to continue I would rather have a few days break every now and then. The good news is, every week that passes is a week closer to meeting the little one. And I have read that morning sickness is a sign of a healthy pregnancy- yay!
I swear my figure has changed already- no bump, just wider hips- even though I haven't gained any weight, maybe I have lost a kilo or two though. I went out and bought a scale because I am still worried at being yelled at by my Japanese doctor if I gain the usual amount.
I also have just been looking at the clinic where I am booked into and it looks like there isn't rooming in with the baby. Gah! Not what I want at all. I mean, can you imagine going through morning sickness, pain and then the whole ordeal that is labour only to be separated from your baby for 7 days. I am going to wait until about the 15 week mark until I start pressure my doctor to do a few things the western way (like have the baby sleep in the room). The last thing that I want is to make an enemy of him this early in the game. I have heard that Kangaroo care is getting more and more common these days in Japan, so with any luck there might be other women that have requested rooming in and gotten their way.
I see my doctor on Wednesday (with husband this time- for probably his one and only visit thanks to his school festival this weekend). Let's hope all is going well and that DH will be able to meet the little pea.
Sunday 8 September 2013
7 weeks
Yesterday marked the seven weeks mark (can you tell I am counting) and I was super excited to pass yet another week. The only problem is that I don't really know what week I am on. Most websites will tell you that to work out your due date, you take your last period and go from there. The only problem is, it is based on a 28 days cycle. So what of us who have cycles that are about as accurate as meteorologists? My last few months have been (since coming off the pill)- 28, 28, 28, 32, 31, 39 days. Which means I have no idea just how pregnant I really am. I was able to get a positive test on day 34, but not sure how far along I really am. Either way, it really is only a difference of a week or so, and babies never come on time anyway. So for now I am going by the standard 28 day cycle count and maybe I'll adjust after week 15.
The good news is, I am definitely pregnant and I have a myriad of symptoms to keep reminding me so. The morning sickness has been around for about a week or so; to varying degrees. Only once have I actually felt like I might vomit. The other times come and go and basically feel like I am hungover, or on a boat. I did read that people who get motion sick (that's me) often get worse morning sickness, so I am waiting for the other shoe to drop right now. The only thing I can think of, is because I am used to feeling sick- a lot- my stomach might be used to it. Hopefully if it keeps it's current course then I will be able to manage and most importantly- manage work. I don't want to tell my boss until about week 14 and seeing as I teach little kids whose mums sit in the class (most who have young-ins of their own), they will probably know something is up if I run off to the bathroom mid class- and I am not ready to let the cat out of the bag quite yet.
Next week I go back to the doctors for the 8 week scan (and hopefully get my proof of pregnancy slip so I can get my pregnancy registered and get cheaper doctors appointments). And by a fluke, DH has days off mid week (school festival on Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon) which means he might be see little akachan.
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| Talk about alien looking.... |
Sunday 1 September 2013
Tick. Tick. Tick.- 6 weeks
So, yesterday marked the week six mark. It is quite unbelievable that only a week has passed, when it feels like forever already- especially when I'm holding my breath to get past the most dangerous time. It's worse than being a kid before Christmas. Maybe I should get myself an advent calender so then I can focus more on chocolate, than on the baby.
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