No Boundaries

Today I had a horrible, no good, very bad day.

My doctor is on vacation this week, so I had to see a different doctor for my weekly check-up.  Monday was a holiday, so the hospital was closed which means Tuesday was very busy.  I had to wait almost two hours to see the doctor.  Then, when I finally did get to see her, she continuously lectured me about my weight gain...even though I have only a few weeks left before baby comes.  She never asked how I was feeling or told me how wonderful baby is doing.  My own doctor is an older Japanese man who smiles and laughs through our visits and constantly says things like "baby good" and "no problem."  I was feeling pretty awful after my long wait and visit.

I then had to wait another almost 3 hours to meet with the midwife to discuss any concerns.  I had to wait a very long time because I had to wait for the translator who was out to lunch.  Leaving the hospital to go home I was emotional, tired, and hungry.  I went to the bus stop and I had just missed the bus so I had to wait another 15 minutes.

Then it started to rain.

And I didn't have an umbrella.

It was light at first...but then it picked up.

That's when a wonderful lady made my day a little bit sunnier.

An Obaasan (Japanese for grandmother/old lady) offered to share her umbrella with me.  We then had a conversation in Japanese.  I honestly have no idea what we were talking about. I told her about the baby and how I was studying Japanese, but it was hard. And I think she said something about Australia.

Then the rain stopped and the bus came.

When the lady got off the bus she waved and smiled to me.

I really felt that in my moment of need, God was present.  I know nothing of this woman, except her kindness.  It didn't matter that we were from different countries and generations, or spoke different languages. God's presence knows no boundaries.    

Pre-natal Doctor Visits in Tokyo

We're just a little over a month away from the arrival of Akachan (Japanese for baby).  The summer has been terribly hot.  It's always around 90 degrees with extremely high humidity.  The city just traps the heat, too.  I've spent most of my time indoors staying cool.  I try to only go out in the early morning or evening and only when I have to go to the store or something.

Today we went to the doctor for our bi-weekly check-up.  This is my first pregnancy, so it's hard for me to compare my care with care I would receive in the US, but many people have asked so I thought I'd share some things about my experiences so far.

When we found out we were expecting, we went to the Shinjuku-ward and registered our pregnancy with the local government.  At the office they congratulated us and gave us a Boshi-Techo.  This is a book you take with to all your appointments and use for baby's first years.  The doctors and nurses fill it in.  They gave us the book in Japanese and the same book with all the English translations.  The English translation book also has helpful medical phrases.  We also got a packet full of information in Japanese and I got my little badge to wear on my purse.  They gave us coupons that discount our visits.  These are given to all pregnant woman.  (Japanese health care does not cover pregnancy.  They instead issue coupons and once the baby is born, the family receives gift money from the government that about covers the labor and delivery.)

Our hospital is a short 12 minute bus ride away.  We walk the 5 minutes to the bus stop and then ride to the hospital. The bus is all in Japanese, so we have learned to read the Kanji (Chinese characters) for the hospital.  The hospital, Seibo, was a Catholic Mission Hospital after WWII.  It's also known as St. Mary's Catholic Hospital.  There are still adorable Japanese nuns.  There is also a wonderful lady, Sister Barbara, that helps translate.  She is very helpful and her face lights up around babies and children.  She truly is a gift from God.

When we go to the hospital, the first thing I do is put my hospital card into the reception machine.  I then go to the OB/GYN section of the hospital.  I put my card into my doctors mail slot and my coupons into another mail box.  I then go weigh myself, check my blood pressure, and pee in a cup:)  After I do that, I wait with Erik until my name is called.

The first time I am called, I go to the nurses' room and give her all the slips for my urine sample, weight, and blood pressure.  She writes these in my Boshi-Techo and my file.  Sometimes she gives me information or asked questions.  I then go back to the waiting room with Erik and wait to be called for the doctor.

We are called to the exam room.  Erik sits by my head and the nurse prepares me for the sonogram.  We get a sonogram every time.  The doctor checks to make sure everything is okay and answers any of our questions. He prints out a picture of Akachan and gives it to us.  Our doctor is an older Japanese man that usually just says everything is okay.  He makes me feel relaxed.  On some visits I've had to do the Glucose test or have blood draw, etc.

After our visit with our doctor, we go back to the waiting room and wait for our papers.  There's been a couple times we've meet with a midwife and Sister (who translated) to get all the information about the hospital, paper work, and delivery. Sister even took time to give us a tour. (I think the hospital is quiet and charming).

Our name is called one last time and we get our papers and go to reception.  We hand our papers to the cashier and then go to the pay machine.  I insert my card and it tells me how much to pay.  For a regular visit with no extra tests, it cost us $3.50.  Yep, $3.50 without insurance.  Our most expensive visit was for the Glucose test and that was $70. Health care is very affordable here and so far, I feel like I have been taken care of very well.

Our entire outing to the doctor and home takes us about 2 hours.

Blessings,
Tauna