So when I went to my Japanese lesson today, I thought that my teacher would be able to help me. She was great. I really only intended to bother her with a few readings, but we went through the whole book (mind you, it took an hour and a half). This is the useful information I found:
The only things I need to bring are my boshi techo, my clinic card, a leaving outfit for the baby, a waist corset, 5 face towels (which I think are used for burp cloths), 5 gauze handkerchiefs and underwear (that is not surprising).
They provide a lot of things at my clinic: Slippers, various sorts of towels (hand, face, bath, mini), toiletries, face toiletries, driers, breastpads and even pyjamas.
There is another list with a whole heap of things like napkins and the like, but my teacher didn't know if it was supplied or not, so maybe I will bring a few of those items, just in case.
Other interesting things were about the life of a baby in Japan. My clinic recommends submitting a birth plan, though they do so that the doctors will always do what is safest at the time, and may not be able to do some things. The booklet also said about shaving and episiotomies, labour drugs (,to induce or speed up) and suture removal. The gist is that they they don't always do them, but in certain cases (like difficulty getting the baby out) they will.
There was a bit of a section about what Dad's can do. Basically, they are welcomed in the room and can choose from one of three options:
Being there the whole labour
Being there from labour until delivery.
Being their only for the start.
Camera's and videos are welcome, but the midwife will instruct if there are any problems with using them at a certain time. They had a bit of a thing about C-sections and that they would be performed in a special room (the teacher thinks) but Dad's would not be allowed in for the procedure.
The booklet also said a bit on jaundice- I know babies back home are put under a UV lamp to help with jaundice, but here they basically just monitor the baby- expecting that it's own liver will eventually catch up and cure itself (I suppose all the babies until recently did that). They did have a section on the UV lamp, but my teacher didn't know if it was offered, she seems to think not, or maybe not unless it is an extreme case. But at least they have heard of it.
They also do a hereditary illness check (or something like that) on Day 5 of the hospital stay, checking for a few things (I assume are either dangerous or curable if treated early). Not sure if a caucasian baby will have all that they are checking for...
They also administer K2 syrup about 6-8hrs after birth, and then three times within their first month of life.
There was a section on baby weight loss: basically that it is normal and no need to worry about.
Then we got to the fun thing of translating the daily schedule in the hospital:
Day of Birth-
Mother: use the toilet for the first time within 6-8hrs. (hmmm)
rest as much as possible
change your napkin every 3-4 hrs.
Baby: K2 Syrup given 6-8hrs after birth.
Baby stays in the nursery (but if you really want, they can stay with you).
Day 1-
Mother: Depending on the mother's health, take a shower.
Lessons on: Breastmilk, how to hold your baby, how to nappy, how to massage boobs.
Baby: Baby starts rooming in.
Day 2-
Mother: How to bathe the baby
Day 3-
Mother: Doctors visit, stitches removal, blood test, urine test, blood pressure and weight.
Baby: Jaundice check
Day 4-
Mother: If you have given birth before, you can leave today and they will prepare you for it.
Baby: K2 syrup and the hereditary illness check
Day 5-
Mother and baby leave about/before 10am.
The other interesting thing was a break down of a daily schedule (on top of the classes above).
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: there is a children's clinic that you can go to for information.
Tuesdays, Fridays: lactation specialist (or questions).
Monday-Saturday: nurses and midwives are there (No idea what happens on Sunday)
Monday- Saturday: Aroma treatment room is open.
Also, a further breakdown of your day (The Japanese like their schedules)
6:30-7:30- Your temperature is taken
7:30- breakfast
8:00-8:30- doctors visit.
8:30-10:00- Room cleaning (I assume we don't do this).
12:00- lunch
14:00-14:30- Your temperature is taken
15:00- snack time
17:00-18:00- doctor's visit
18:00- dinner
20:00-20:30- nurse check.
That is about all. Apart from the emergency information which I intend to write out and put on the fridge and in my phone- after all, it is pretty useless if I am trying to search through a book.
9 weeks to go.. Yay!
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