Category: Pregnancy
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Giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic
Just as I was preparing to take my second stint of maternity leave, the COVID-19 situation was reaching crisis point. On March 11 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a global pandemic, and deemed its risk ‘very high’ particularly in East Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. The virus had…
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Cash back for giving birth in Japan
Last month, I wrote a blog post about the cost of giving birth in Japan – which for us, was just over JPY1m or GBP7,175. An eye-watering credit card bill following a traumatic birth experience had left me a bit dazed and confused. Wasn’t this supposed to be the happiest time of our lives?! Well, just…
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A Prime Minister, a coalition, and 2 pregnant Brits walk into a . . .
The UK-Japan 21st Century Group was launched in 1985, at the joint request of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. A coalition of private sector, public sector, and civil society leaders – representing industry, academia, the media, and government – the group aims to promote dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. Members meet…
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Step-by-step guide to maternity appointments in Japan (Nisseki Hospital)
Japan’s prenatal system is excellent, if a bit more involved, process-driven, and tech-heavy than that in other countries. At 38 weeks pregnant, I’ve so far attended 15 maternity appointments, including 12 scans. The good news is that, since I’m in full-time employment, costs are covered for the most part by the Japanese government’s health insurance…
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Crossfit during pregnancy: 4 reasons why it works for me
I’ve been doing Crossfit for over 4 years now, and was keen to continue my twice-weekly routine during pregnancy. The sport often gets a bad press for being too intense, extreme, and dangerous. But that’s not the case at our gym – Chikara Crossfit in Akasaka, Tokyo. I’d seen women – Japanese and other nationalities – working out,…
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Japan’s magic maternity book
As you might imagine, with the one of the world’s lowest maternal mortality rates, Japan’s pre-natal care system is well-organised, comprehensive and methodical. Once your pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor, you can visit your local ward office with your pregnancy certificate (妊娠届書) and register for a boshi-techo (母子手帳) Maternal and Child Health Handbook. The…
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The only thing to say when a colleague tells you she’s pregnant
As I’ve found out over the past few months, there are many unsolicited things you can say when a woman – your employee, your boss, your client, your customer – tells you she’s pregnant. “Wow.” “I had no idea.” “Oh . . .” “Eh?! I’m SO SURPRISED!” “Really?!” “Did you get married?” *silently steps in lift…
2020 Mum in Tokyo 