Birth Stories of Japan

In this episode we speak to Laura about her first birth experience in Japan which she's using as a bit of a 'baseline' for her second baby's arrival later in the year.  Although it took her sometime to really process the experience, she does say that it was a positive natural birth. Being new to the country (Sanda, Hyōgo) her pregnancy was quite lonely and she did experience some prenatal depression. Birth care facility: + Sanda Shimin Byouin Follow on IG @birthstoriesjp ------------------------------------------------- Show notes: Covid-19, government hospital, no pain medication, natural birth, crowning, tearing, play groups ------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Opening 02:39 - Intro 03:44  - Journey to pregnancy 06:04  - Pregnancy 19:01 - Birth story 44:08 - Postpartum recovery 46:53 - Bottle time 51:13 - Outro

In this episode we speak with @suzukibears a mother of two originally from Toronto, Canada. After a positive birth experience at Sapporo Maternity Women's Hospital in 2020 (during the pandemic) she heard about Ekubo Midwifery during her 2nd pregnancy and decided to have a home birth there in 2023 for another positive birth experience. She shares the unique experience of tasting their 2nd baby's placenta, a Mother's Blessing & gives her advice for others that are considering changing their birth care providers mid-pregnancy. To hear more about Amy's first birth experience you can listen here Care facilities: + Sapporo Maternity Women's Hospital + Ekubo Midwifery Clinic + ENA Ladies Clinic (partner clinic) PS. Amy & I both gave birth in the same midwifery home just one year apart from each other! ------------------------------------------------- Show notes: Covid 19, birth partners, positive births, University hospital, breastfeeding, lightning crotch, natural birth, midwifery, home birth, eating placenta, afterbirth, Mother's blessing, blessingway, Stephanie Kawaii, Tokyo Doula cafe, fetal scope, fetal heart rate monitor. Pregnant in Japan Podcast ------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Opening 04:40 - Intro 06:17 - Journey to pregnancy + pregnancy #1 09:06 - Birth story 15:24 - Postpartum recovery 16:50 - Journey to pregnancy + pregnancy #2 25:31 - Birth story 41:04 - Postpartum recovery 43:18 - Costs 44:48 - Bottle time 47:17 - Outro

In this episode we speak to Gabi who walks us through her pregnancy and birth journey with daughter Satsuki.  Satsuki was born prematurely in Tokyo during the pandemic which meant a solo labour for Gabi and then having to deal with the hospital's policies around NICU visits, limiting her abilities to be next to her daughter for the first two weeks. She also found out about a liver issue during her pregnancy, discusses the language barrier at her hospital and takes us through her breastfeeding journey with a prem baby. Satsuki was born August 2022 at 35 weeks and weighing 2028g. Care facilities: + Sho Hospital, Kita ku, Tokyo + Nihon University Itabashi Hospital -------------------------------------------------  Show notes: Brazil, Brazilian couple, Tokyo, symptoms of yellow eyes, liver health issue, hospitalisation, asthma, weight loss, early water breaks, PROM, 31 hours labour, IV drip induction, Ferguson reflex, premature, NICU, COVID restrictions, breastfeeding journey-------------------------------------------------   CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Opening 01:49 - Intro 02:57  - Journey to Pregnancy 06:03 - Pregnancy 15:54 - Birth Story 25:56 - Postpartum recovery 33:17 - Costs 33:54 - Bottle time 36:17 - Outro

On this episode we speak to Nina who has 3 birth stories at 3 different clinics for us to listen to and compare.  At each birth she felt more and more empowered and although the journey was never 'perfect' and postpartum recoveries were hard with her husband having no paternity leave, there was always a positive outcome. She talks about navigating cultural differences, advocating and negotiating for certain birth practices and also coming to peace with birth preferences that she was denied. Care facilities: + Hirano Maternity Clini, Hyogo Prefecture + Santa Cruz Maternity Clinic, Takarazuka + Mom Clinic, Kita Kobe You can read more on Nina's blog here -------------------------------------------------  Show notes: Moving to Japan mid-pregnancy, episiotomy, Alexia Leachman, Fear Free Childbirth Podcast, paternity leave, foreign support, breastfeeding, breast engorgement, blogger, Kansai -------------------------------------------------    CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Opening 00:41 - Intro 03:25  - Journey to Pregnancy #1 05:04 - Pregnancy 07:17 - Birth Story 13:05 - Postpartum recovery 16:22  - Journey to Pregnancy #2 17:23 - Pregnancy 21:07 - Birth Story 27:05 - Postpartum recovery 28:36  - Journey to Pregnancy #3 29:07 - Pregnancy 31:01 - Birth Story 34:53 - Postpartum recovery 36:37 - Costs 37:17 - Bottle time 43:08 - Outro

On this episode we speak to Eriko Lalanne a Japanese midwife based in Tokyo (e_tokyomidwife & josanshi_english). I've taken some of our followers most asked questions and thrown them her way: • Where can we give birth in Japan? • How can we say no? • Why are epidurals so expensive? • What happens if I don't want to weigh myself at every appointment? …The list goes on! We discuss the standards of Japanese care, cultural differences and some possible fixes to our communication issues when we're going to check ups or are in labour. -------------------------------------------------  Show notes: ⁠Japan Midwives Association⁠ Tokyo, Japan, midwife, japanese, birth facilities, FAQ, interventions, refusing, care in Japan, epidurals, episiotomy, cultural differences, birth in Japan, painless birth, natural birth, weight gain, appointment schedule, filing a complaint. -------------------------------------------------    CHAPTERS 00:00 - Opening 01:59 - Pregnancy update 05:41 - Intro 11:09 - Who do I ask? 12:37 - Where to give birth in Japan 14:52 - Saying no to a test/check up 20:21 - Differences between Japan and elsewhere 21:38 - Epidurals 22:42 - What is the 'norm' in Japan, painless or natural? 23:45 - Appointment schedule 25:34 - Refusing things during labour 27:52 - Filing a complaint 29:57 - Topic of weight gain 33:33 - Cutoff for choosing your birth facility 35:18 - Outro

On this episode we speak to Sorina whose passion for foreign languages led her to Japan where she'd meet her husband and give birth to baby Luca.  Although she initially hoped to have a natural birth, Hashimoto's disease and her low platelet count deemed her as 'high-risk' which resulted in being induced & then ultimately a C-section.She talks about having to accept her modified birth plans & how alone she felt being 'the only one' she knew of with such health issues.Care facility:+ Nobeoka Hospital------------------------------------------------- Show notes:Miyazaki, Hashimoto's disease,  Thrombocytopenia, low platelet count, induced, foley bulbs, oxytocin IV,  left occiput anterior (LOA), c-section, jaundice, NICU, anemia, mama guilt, RH negative, Birth Stories of Japan-------------------------------------------------   CHAPTERS:00:00 - Opening00:50 - Intro 03:02  - Journey to Pregnancy06:18 - Pregnancy09:39 - Birth Story19:23 - Postpartum recovery25:59 - Costs27:00 - Bottle time32:37 - Outro

On this episode we speak to Sheila who is from Central America and moved to Japan 7 years ago with her husband (Japanese-Hondureños).  An online prenatal course helped her decide on her birth plan, however when it came to delivery time both her and her hospital were happy to make changes. Care facilities: + Yamaguchi Womens Hospital, Funabashi -------------------------------------------------  Show notes: Chiba, vacuum delivery, episiotomy, La Leche League, kangaroo care vs skin to skin, postpartum rage Join our Birth Stories of Japan Facebook group! ------------------------------------------------CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Opening 01:07 - Intro 02:41  - Journey to Pregnancy 04:43 - Pregnancy 12:26 - Birth Story 26:15 - Postpartum recovery 30:59 - Costs 31:46 - Bottle time 34:53 - Outro

In this episode we speak with Hikari who is Japanese with an English husband.  She talks about the pressures that she felt within her own culture around pregnancy + body image and the relief she felt being able to speak to her foreigner friends about it. Birth facility: + Aiiku Hospital, Tokyo -------------------------------------------------  Show notes: Questions around being able to conceive, happy pregnancy, morning sickness, conscious of weight gain, body image, epidural,  C-section, blood loss, breastfeeding issues, super tired post-birth, weight gain articles - CNN Japan , Tokyo Pregnancy Group ------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Opening 00:49  - Intro 01:26 - Journey to pregnancy 04:50 - Pregnancy 09:14 - Birth story 15:43 - Postpartum recovery 22:03 - Cost 22:58 - Bottle time 25:44 - Outro

In this episode we speak with Aubree who moved to Japan with her husband from the USA and has since had two babies here.  Due to her positive experience the first time round, both of her babies were born homebirth style at Kishimoto Midwifery in Osaka.  Stone and Lila are very close in age and mama Aubree says that having family over during those early stages really helped her recover and not feel the mama guilt of leaving Stone while attending newborn Lila's needs. Care facilities: + Yodogawa Christian Hospital +  Kishimoto Josanin / Midwifery -------------------------------------------------  Show notes: Homebirth style, close age of babies, irish twins, postpartum hemorrhage, breastfeeding issues, mama guilt, loneliness, isolation, 12hr labour, 90min labour, positive experience Join our Birth Stories of Japan Facebook group! -------------------------------------------------   CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Opening 00:59 - Intro  01:39  - Journey to Pregnancy #1 02:48 - Pregnancy 12:25 - Birth Story 18:07 - Postpartum recovery 21:54  - Journey to Pregnancy #2 23:20 - Pregnancy 24:03 - Birth Story 32:49 - Postpartum recovery 38:25 - Costs 38:39 - Bottle time 43:35 - Outro

On this episode we speak to Alex @alexleefilms who is from Malaysia and gave birth to her beautiful baby girl in May of 2023 in Japan. She went through labour on her own until the very end when her husband was finally allowed to join, but says that the long labour was very much worth it. Birth care facilities: + Teikkyo University Hospital ------------------------------------------------- Show notes: alexleefilms.com Powerspot gym Kanagawa, suction cup support, refused induction, 19 hour labour, videographer, photographer, pilates, postpartum depression. breastfeeding issues, confinement period ------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 01:03 - Welcome Back 02:23 - Intro 03:55 - Journey to pregnancy 05:55 - Pregnancy 09:38 - Birth Story 19:42 - Postpartum recovery 24:54 - Cost 25:23 - Bottle Time 28:10 - Outro

On this latest episode we speak with Cheska, originally from London, who speaks about her experience giving birth to her twins in Tokyo. Being a multiple pregnancy, she was told throughout her entire journey that it was a high-risk pregnancy.  Because of this, sometimes 'medical experience' trumped her voice, which caused some stress.  With COVID restrictions still in place it wasn't until her husband Shinan (Japanese) stepped in and wrote a letter on their behalf that she felt like her wishes were heard. Shinan also joins us on this episode and speaks about the effects that the pregnancy had on him, seeing his wife like this & also financially as twins means "double the price", literally. Their story is one of strength, joy & love. Thank you so much Cheska for sharing your story xx   Birthcare facilities: + Red Cross, Tokyo  -------------------------------------------------   Show notes: For FB groups type 'Tokyo Babies + season ⁠+year '⁠⁠Fertility drugs for follicle growth ⁠ ⁠Severe morning sickness⁠⁠ High CRP levels⁠⁠Mucus plug⁠ Tokyo Doula support - Steph ⁠Breech baby⁠⁠ Delayed birth⁠  Twins, reincarnation, NICU, mama guilt, hospital costs. You can find Cheska @cheskaharris on IG or join our FB group 'Birth Stories of Japan' to chat with her in our forum there.  -------------------------------------------------   To help other mums see this podcast please hit the SUBSCRIBE button & LIKE this episode. You can also find us on ⁠IG ⁠⁠@birthstoriesjp⁠⁠⁠ for updates & exclusive stuff or on YouTube ⁠⁠@BirthStoriesJP⁠⁠ ⁠#birthstoriesofjapan⁠ ⁠#birthstories⁠ ⁠#positivebirthstories⁠ ⁠#positivebirth⁠ ⁠#livinginjapan⁠ ⁠#japanlife⁠ ⁠#mominjapan⁠ ⁠#muminjapan⁠ ⁠#japan⁠ ⁠#japanpodcast⁠ ⁠#pregnantinjapan⁠  -------------------------------------------------    CHAPTERS  00:00 - Opening   04:36 - Intro  05:20- Getting pregnant 08:07 - Pregnancy  20:53 - Birth story 32:50 - Postpartum recovery 36:40 - Costs 39:41 - Bottle time 43:49 - Outro

***TRIGGER WARNING*** CAOS, voluntary termination of pregnancy, baby loss & grief. To skip, please fast-forward over baby #2 (timecode 18:27 - 34:54) On this latest episode we speak with Juanita who shares her many highs and lows on her pregnancy/birth journey. She is categorised as 'advanced maternal age', being 35 for her first baby & 41 for her last. Due to a rare condition called Chronic abruption-oligohydramnios sequence (or CAOS) unfortunately they lost their second baby.  After such a tough experience and with time still ticking, they decided to try again which resulted in their "miracle baby", where she laboured on her own due to COVID. She hopes that sharing her story will help other mums of advanced maternal age or going through grief from the loss of a baby. Her story is one of hope, grief & joy all in one. Thank you so much Juanita for sharing your story xx Birthcare facilities: + Minoo clinic, Osaka + Hirano Maternity Clinic, Takarazuka Hyogo+ Toyonaka Shigatsu Byouin ------------------------------------------------- Show notes: https://www.wellnesswithjuanita.com/Water breaking stats - Parents.com Son Bahyu cream  Advanced Maternal Age Chronic abruption-oligohydramnios sequence (CAOS)  Cremation in Japan Grief support group which provides programs, self-led programs and free resources @lighthousecirclegriefsupport Osaka, Hyogo prefecture, advanced maternal age, unexpected episiotomy, older pregnancy, early bleeding, CAOS, voluntary termination, baby loss, cremation, grief, pregnancy at 40, miracle baby, corona virus, COVID-19. -------------------------------------------------   To help other mums see this podcast please hit the SUBSCRIBE button & LIKE this episode. You can also find us on ⁠IG ⁠⁠@birthstoriesjp⁠⁠⁠ for updates & exclusive stuff or on Spotify and Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠@BirthStoriesJP⁠⁠  #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnantinjapan-------------------------------------------------   CHAPTERS 00:00 - Opening  01:06 - Intro 03:40- Getting pregnant #1 05:52 - Pregnancy 10:46 - Birth story 15:36 - Postpartum recovery18:27- Getting pregnant #2 20:48 - Baby loss 31:33 - Recovery & healing 34:55- Getting pregnant & pregnancy #338:49 - Birth story 42:21 - Postpartum recovery44:20 - Costs 45:25 - Bottle time49:17 - Outro

On this latest episode of Birth Stories of Japan we speak with Robin who moved from Holland to Japan half-way through her pregnancy. She had a premature rupture of her membranes (PROM) at 34 weeks and was hospitalised for a further 2 weeks until being induced and says that she just 'surrendered' to it all. Although what was happening was traumatic for her, she rates her care here in Japan very highly and in hindsight is very thankful that she chose to give birth in Japan rather than Holland. She also shares her wonderful experience at a postpartum retreat in Hayama. Her story is one of endurance and hope. Thank you so much Robin for sharing your story xx Birth care facilities: + Azabu Women's Clinic + Shonan Kamakura General Hospital + Tsujido Hospital+ Mom Garden Hayama ------------------------------------------------- Show notes: NIPT testing - Fetal Medicine Baby blues and PPD - College of Midwives Breastfeeding consultants - JALC Kamakura, moved here April 2023, 1 month postpartum, NIPT testing, premature rupture of membrane at 34 weeks, 2 week hospital stay, NICU, pitocin, prostaglandin, loneliness, baby blues, postpartum retreat.-------------------------------------------------  To help other mums see this podcast please hit the FOLLOW button & RATE this episode. You can also find us on ⁠IG ⁠⁠@birthstoriesjp⁠⁠⁠ for updates & exclusive stuff or on YouTue ⁠⁠@BirthStoriesJP⁠⁠  #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnantinjapan -------------------------------------------------   CHAPTERS 00:00 - Opening 00:42 - Intro 01:51- Getting pregnant 02:53 - Pregnancy16:05 - Birth story 27:51 - Postpartum recovery 37:43 - Costs 39:26 - Bottle time 43:43 - Outro

On this latest episode of Birth Stories of Japan we speak with Kate who gave birth in Okayama to her beautiful baby boy Fynn. Originally from New Zealand, she talks about how the borders being shut during the COVID-19 pandemic and not having her mum by her side really messed with her expectations of what her first birth story would be like. It was a tough and lonely journey, but with the support of her husband, her in-laws and good old video calling she found the strength to get through. Overall she was very happy with her care at Miyake Clinic, Okayama. Her story is one of strength and happiness. Thank you so much  Kate for sharing your story xx Birthcare facility: + Miyake Clinic, Okayama ------------------------------------------------- Show notes:Acupressure for labour - Healthline article Midwife Cath @midwifecath Syntocinon - News Medical Life Sciences JET ALT, fertility shrine, accupressure epidural, induction, Takamatsu, Shikoku, COVID-19, corona virus, pandemic baby, missing support, stitches. -------------------------------------------------  To help other mums see this podcast please hit the SUBSCRIBE button & LIKE this episode. You can also find us on ⁠IG ⁠⁠@birthstoriesjp⁠⁠⁠ for updates & exclusive stuff or on YouTube @BirthStoriesJP⁠⁠  #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnantinjapan -------------------------------------------------   CHAPTERS 00:00 - Opening  03:55 - Intro 06:10- Getting pregnant 10:23 - Pregnancy 17:02 - Birth story 31:08 - Postpartum recovery 34:10 - Costs 35:24 - Bottle time 42:27 - Outro

On this latest episode we speak with Lily who is a Malaysian mama of one living in Japan with her Romanian husband.  Her PCOS had quite an effect on her ability to get pregnant, however with the help of the doctors here she was able to conceive.  Although she had quite a list of interventions during her labour (including an episiotomy and fundal pressure) she overall describes her son's birth as a positive one and was very happy with her care at Aiiku, Tokyo. Her story is one of positivity and joy. Thank you so much  Lily for sharing your story xx Birthcare facility: +Aiiku Clinic (early pregnancy & check ups) + Aiiku Hospital (late pregnancy & birth) ------------------------------------------------- Show notes: PCOS - Hopkins Medicine Catheter - Very Well Family Ventouse (vacuum cup) - NHS Fundal pressure - Birth Injury Health Centre Morning sickness, PCOS, positive pregnancy, birth advocate, catheter during labour, water therapy, episiotomy, epidural, ventouse (vacuum cup), fundal pressure, postpartum retreat, gaman, confinement period, baby blues. -------------------------------------------------  To help other mums see this podcast please hit the FOLLOW button & RATE this episode. You can also find us on ⁠IG ⁠@birthstoriesjp⁠⁠ for updates & exclusive stuff or on YouTube ⁠@BirthStoriesJP⁠ #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnant -------------------------------------------------   CHAPTERS 00:00 - Opening  00:48 - Intro 02:17- Getting pregnant 04:35 - Pregnancy 12:58 - Birth story 20:28 - Postpartum recovery 27:59 - Costs 28:54 - Bottle time

In this latest episode Elle offers us her refreshing and positive outlook on C-sections.  She had 3 x C-sections in Osaka and believes that they were truly the best decision for her and her family. Her story is one of positivity & strength. Thank you so much Elle for sharing your story xx  Birthcare facility: + Osaka University Hospital, ------------------------------------------------- Show notes: Epidural articles -  Tokyo Review & QUARTZ Meconium poop - Healthline Girl gender selection gels  ------------------------------------------------- To help other mums see this podcast please hit the FOLLOW button & RATE this episode. You can also find us on ⁠IG @birthstoriesjp⁠ for updates & exclusive stuff or on YouTube @BirthStoriesJP #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnant -------------------------------------------------   CHAPTERS 00:00 - Opening  00:53 - Intro 01:36- Getting pregnant #1 05:09 - Pregnancy 07:34 - Birth story 13:04 - Postpartum recovery 17:04 - Getting pregnant #2 18:23 - Birth story 20:49 - Postpartum recovery 22:10 - Getting pregnant #3 23:45 - Birth story 25:33 - Postpartum recovery 27:16 - Costs 29:30 - Bottle time

Mama Brooke is a first-time mum and shares her journey through pregnancy and birth with little cutie Iroha. So far from what she thought to expect, she battled both physically and mentally during her pregnancy. She is currently 6 months postpartum and tells her honest truth - that sometimes it doesn't "just get better". With the support of those around her she's been able to find some ways to help her in her recovery & hopes that her sharing will help other mums also have those important conversations. Her story is one of honesty and strength. Thank you so much Brooke for sharing your story x Birthcare facilities: + Ikuryo Clinic, Meguro Tokyo ------------------------------------------------- Show notes: RH factor - ACOG EDS - EDS.org.nz Foley balloon method - WhatToExpect.com Postpartum depression -  Mayo Clinic Jidoukan (indoor playgrounds) - Tony Tot Tokyo Kawasaki International Mothers Group Steph - Tokyo Doula Support @steph_tokyodoula (IG) ------------------------------------------------- To help other mums see this podcast please hit the FOLLOW button & RATE this episode. You can also find us on ⁠IG @birthstoriesjp⁠ for updates & behind-the-scenes stuff or on YouTube & Apple Podcasts @birthstoriesjp #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnant

Originally from Australia, Laura, mama of 3, shares how all of her labours in Japan were faster than she could've expected. With her first, she had preterm labour contractions so was monitored regularly and given medications to put things on hold, but for her second, nothing could stop her son from being born premature. The traumatic experience was soon eased by the "top notch" care she was provided with at the NICU facility in Shin-Urayasu. She also shares with us how she got an episiotomy, dealt with her close pregnancies and postpartum depression while looking after two under 2's & recalls the effects that the 2011 earthquake had on her and her young family at the time. Her story is one of strength and courage. Thank you so much Laura for sharing your story x Birthcare facilities Oshio Women's Clinic, Urayasu, Chiba Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital Yamaguchi Hospital, Funabashi Show notes: 3'19" - Birth Control in Japan - Gaijinpot.com4'30" - Swine flu - WHO 5'14" - Preterm labour contractions - Betterhealth.vic.gov.au 17'00" - Norovirus - NHS  19'25" - Breech position - NHS21'40" - NICU - marchofdimes.org 32'03 - Bronchitis - health.govt.nz 45'08 - infant and maternal morality in Japan - macrotrends.net & data.worldbank.org To help other mums see this podcast please hit the FOLLOW button. You can also find us on ⁠⁠⁠IG @birthstoriesjp⁠⁠⁠ for updates & behind-the-scenes stuff or SUBSCRIBE to our ⁠⁠⁠YouTube channel @BirthStoriesJP⁠ #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnant

Ariana takes us through the ups and downs of her pregnancy and birth journey's here in Japan. Her first experiece started off on an uneasy note, which she feels "set the tone" for her daughter's birth. After a traumatic birth experience and dealing with postpartum depression, Ariana and her husband were ready to do things differently with baby number two. Unfortunately they lost the baby early due to a miscarriage. Not long after she gets pregnant again and is able to turn a new leaf with her son's positive birth experience. Her story is one of strength & hope. Thank you so much Ariana for sharing your story x Birth experiences in Tokyo & Kawaguchi, Saitama Kita-ku Iryou Centre, Tokyo⁠⁠⁠ & Takahashi ladies clinic, Kawaguchi Saitama Show notes: 5'51" - Anemia - Hematology.org 17'31" - Postpartum depression To help other mums see this podcast please hit the FOLLOW button. You can also find us on ⁠⁠IG @birthstoriesjp⁠⁠ for updates & behind-the-scenes stuff or SUBSCRIBE to our ⁠⁠YouTube channel @BirthStoriesJP #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnant

Our first birth story is that of your host's. During Tiana's pregnancy with her very first baby she endured the symptoms and struggles of Topical Steroid Withdrawal & consequently also withdrew from the world. She turned to Podcasts to help get her through which sparked the idea for Birth Stories of Japan podcast. Their baby girl Mellow was born naturally after 38hrs, home-birth style at Ekubo Midwifery clinic in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Although their initial clinics were not going to allow her husband or any other birth supporters in during the labour in 2022, where she ended up allowed both her husband and mum, who helped immensely. To help other mums see this podcast please hit the FOLLOW button. You can also find us on IG @birthstoriesjp for updates & behind-the-scenes stuff or SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel @BirthStoriesJP Show notes: 2'04" - Mellow Moments family photography @mellowmoments__ 7'47" - TSW support groups 1) ITSAN fb group and 2) New and Expecting Mothers going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal fb group. Quote from TSW Assist8'18" - Maruyama Ladies Clinic 9'10" - NTT East Sapporo 9'45" - SEMI (Sapporo English Medical Interpreters' Group) 11'05 - Home birth stat/quotes from HomeBirth.org and Tokyo Doula Support 11'35" - Ekubo Midwifery  12'54" - ENA Ladies Clinic  #birthstoriesofjapan #birthstories #positivebirthstories #positivebirth #livinginjapan #japanlife #mominjapan #muminjapan #japan #japanpodcast #pregnant

Giving birth in Japan was honestly something that I never thought would be a part of my journey, but here we are :) This podcast about being pregnant and giving birth in Japan, particularly as a foreigner or partly foreigner couple, where each episode we'll have one mum on the show to share their story.  Every episode is super unique, because each pregnancy & birth is so unique. Resources and information out there can be pretty limited for English speakers & for those that live extra rural, at times you can feel like you're very much on your own. However hearing these stories will hopefully help you know that we're here too and totally understand