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| Photo: Ayana Wyse |
A few months before Yoshi arrived, I threw out this question on Instagram and Facebook and got a lot of questions in return. I answered them all individually at the time but thought I would compile a bunch of them here on my blog as well.
Q: How is the health care?
A: Really good! Apparently, it’s among the best in the world. This chair is next-level scary, though.
Q: Are doctor’s appointments conducted in Japanese or English?
A: 90% Japanese. My doctor speaks some English but the midwives do not so it’s been a combo of my Japanese comprehension, occasionally my husband translating or the helpful hospital translator when he is available.
Q: What’s the hospital/birthing centre like? Have you gone on a tour of it yet?
A: The hospital is new and really nice! So far I’ve only seen pictures of the delivery room and hospital rooms but they are fancy! (*and fancy they were!)
Q: Are you going to raise your child mostly in Japan?
A: Yes!
Q: Are you worried about discrimination in schools? It is something I worry about one day for our child.
A: Definitely. But I’m staying optimistic and my husband and I will do our best to teach our kiddo how valuable they are and they will be surrounded by loving family all the time.
Q: What’s the average cost of baby supplies and nursery setup?
A: I’m still not sure yet, to be honest, we haven’t bought much so far and won’t for the first few months until we move into a bigger home. But thanks to family and friends we haven’t had to buy very much so far - and there are so many amazing second-hand shops in Japan too so buying new isn’t really necessary either.
Q: What are you craving to eat?
A: Coco Ichibanya (a chain Japanese curry & rice restaurant). It’s been serious! I always get the vegetarian spinach & cheese curry, with tomato and garlic, spice level 2.
Q: What is the accessibility like in general? Not sure if you take public transportation but that especially.
A: It’s hard to say for sure until I’m doing it with a stroller myself but all stations have elevators and staff who assist people with disabilities (ex: with ramps to get on and off the trains, guiding people with visual impairments) The hard part is when trains/busses are packed and other commuters not wanting to give up the priority seats and spaces.
Q: Are there special Japanese foods made for pregnancy?
A: Not specifically, but there is a huge focus on eating healthy (yay) and not gaining much weight (yikes). In Japan during pregnancy, I did get special rice that was blessed by a Shinto priest from a shrine!
Q: What do baby clothes look like in Japan and are there traditional ones?
A: Baby clothes are pretty much the same but there are some traditional baby yukatas and kimonos for special occasions, too.
Q: Fish?
A: Yup! Even sushi and sashimi are no problem. It’s best to stay away from fish that is high in mercury (mackerel & tuna for example) but we can eat fish.
Q: Are there different “rules” about what you can/can’t eat? Like here they say no deli meat.
A: Not really! Nothing is off the table that I was made aware of by my doctor (and I asked!) except I’m not supposed to eat a lot of sweets/junk food and the midwives police my weight big time.
Q: What’s it like being Baberaham Lincoln of Japan while preggers?
A: It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it! 😂
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| Photo: Ayana Wyse |
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