Take my money!

When I was planning on making the switch from Aiiku to Tokyo Mothers Clinic and wanted to call to request a tour - not many places offer a tour - I was prepared to fumble through a broken Japanese conversation and hope to end up with some understanding and hopefully a booking.

My usual phone conversations start with “Konnichiwa, eigo no shaberu no kata irashaimasu ka?” (Hello, is there someone who speaks English?) and hope for the best. Immediately a lady, Iida san, introduced herself and asked how she could help. We seamlessly arranged a date for a tour and I was shocked. I remember hanging up the phone and being in a state of shock as to how easy that was. A few days later I had to call back and as soon as I used my usual opening line, Iida san on the other line asked if it was me when answering. I did not expect her to remember my name straight off the bat! I was already in love with this personalized service.

I arrived with my husband and another Mom-friend in tow. When we arrived we all stood outside and gaped at the architectural design of the building. There’s a whole section of the building that seems to float. It looked like a building out of Architectural Digest.

We entered past the mammoth ikebana display (which also serves as the backdrop for new parents for a photoshoot when they leave the hospital) and we were greeted by Iida-san with chilled Evian waiting for us. The interior is slick, minimalist and modern. Very Muji-esque, wood and white are the theme for this clinic.

Downstairs are the consultation and screening rooms. Upstairs you’ll find the delivery room, labour rooms, nurses station, nursery and rooms for new moms. There are no wards and each new mom will have her own minimalist en-suite, equipped with Aesop toiletries.

After speaking with Iida-san, we had the opportunity to meet Dr Hayashi - who was lovely. He was warm, approachable and was willing to answer my plethora of questions,

I presented my birth plan to him and I asked him what was feasible and what wasn't (red text).

Here is a copy of my birth plan - please feel free to use it as a template:

Birth Plan

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Practitioner: Dr Hayashi

Place of Birth: Tokyo Mothers Clinic

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This birth plan is intended to express the preferences and desires we have for the birth of our baby. We understand that situations may arise such that our plan cannot and should not be followed. However, we hope that barring any extenuating circumstances, you will be able to keep us informed and aware of our options.

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LABOUR:

Birth: I would like to have a natural birth.

Pain Medication: I would like a spinal/epidural anesthesia, as well as any other pain medications recommended by the doctor.

Husband and Mother: I would like my husband and mother to be present at all times during the birth and after.

Explanation of surgery: Please explain the surgery as it is taking place.

Restriction of arms: Please do not restrict my arms.

Filming: We would like to set up a tripod in the corner of the room to film the birth and to take a few photographs during the birth. NOT POSSIBLE

Eating and Drinking: Allow for ice / water and easily digestible snacks - if the birth time is extensive.

Enema: I would like an enema - if possible. NOT NECESSARY

Episiotomy: Please avoid where possible. I would like guidance on when to push and when to stop in order to to prevent the need. If baby is in distress and an episiotomy is required, please discuss with me. NOT DISCUSSED BUT BABY WAS IN DISTRESS

Environment: The environment should be calm and relaxing throughout and after the birth. I would like to play music and bring my aromatherapy diffuser. I do not want unnecessary staff in the room. NO DIFFUSER.

Induction: Unless the baby is in distress, no amniotomy to be performed.

POST DELIVERY:

• Please delay cutting of the umbilical cord until the cord stops pulsating/pumping. At this point I would like my mother to cut the cord. NOT POSSIBLE

• I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after birth for at least 30 minutes. I would like to have the baby placed on my husband’s stomach/chest after birth for at least 30 minutes If I am unwell, baby is to be placed on my husband’s chest immediately.

• If immediate evaluation is needed, could this take place while the baby is on my stomach/chest (covered with a blanket). If the baby must be taken from me for evaluation, my husband/mother is to be present at all times.

• If my baby is sick, I would like to try and breastfeed as soon as possible.

• I plan to breastfeed exclusively. No bottles, pacifiers, formula or sugar water are to be given to the baby at all. If I have trouble breastfeeding, I would like to manually pump and feed my breast milk to the baby with a sterilized spoon or a syringe.

• We would like unlimited visitation if the baby must stay in the nursery.

I've also attached some useful words or phrases:

母乳 (bonyuu) breast milk ミルク (miruku) formula おっぱい (oppai) breast(s) おっぱいが張る (oppai ga haru) breasts are full (swelling, engorged) 柔らかい (yawarakai) soft 硬い (katai) hard 痛い (itai) hurts 熱い (atsui) hot おっぱいを吸う／飲む (oppai o suu/nomu) suck/drink breast milk 乳首 (chikubi) nipple(s) ゲップ (geppu) burp 吐く/吐き出す (haku/hakidasu) spit out 姿勢/抱き方 (shisei/dakikata) position (yours/the baby’s) 哺乳瓶 (honyuubin) milk bottle(s) 初乳 (shyonyuu) colostrum 搾乳機 (sakunyuuki) breast pump しこり (shikori) lumps Tokyo Mother's Clinic ticked my all my "non-negotiable" boxes. I knew immediately that TMC would be where we would deliver Ren.

Take my money!!!