Giving birth at Toyoshima Ladies Clinic, Nishi-Ogikubo

Hi Lara,

Number 2 huh!! That'll be me next year I guess, but I'll be having the
next one in Australia. That'll be interesting.

So I also had a really positive experience at the place I gave birth,
but it's not really ideal for you because it doesn't fit three of your
requirements.

I gave birth at Toyoshima Ladies Clinic in Nishi-Ogikubo. I started
out at a fancier place in Kichijoji but there were so many rules. I
hate rules. Toyoshima has virtually no rules and is very easy-going.

My plan was for a water birth and Toyoshima is one of the few places
in Tokyo that offers this and their pool looked very inviting.
Unfortunately due to my water breaking and the delayed onset of
contractions, this ended up not being an option.

I speak Japanese so I'm not sure whether any of the staff speak
English, but they were all super kind. Dr Toyoshima is not a man of
many words but would answer any of my questions if I had them. The
midwives were wonderful and told me that if I had any questions to
skip asking the doctor and go and knock on their door and they would
answer them anytime. Very reassuring.

Toyoshima is a bit old, but for 430,000 you get a private room and
delicious vegetarian meals for five days. My husband and baby roomed
in with me for the entire stay and friends and family can visit
anytime from 9am to 9pm. There is a special family room that is an
extra 10,000 yen per night and that has it's own private bath and
toilet and anyone you want can stay there (it's a big tatami mat room
with a tv which would be good if you have other children). It can't be
booked though and is first in, first served.

You can write a birth plan and discuss the birth with the midwives
beforehand. I felt totally in control of all aspects of my birth and
felt very supported. You labor in your private room and the midwives
would periodically come in and check on me, and when the time is ready
you can get in the birth pool or move to the delivery room. There are
absolutely no rules about who can be in the delivery room. They have a
cd player if you want music and aromatherapy. I was also given lots of
homeopathic treatments.

I had an active birth with no drugs (not available here) and was
provided lots of different props for labor - the bean bag was amazing.
I pushed on a birthing stool which really worked for me.

So anyway this has ended up being a very long post but I just wanted
to share my experience at Toyoshima.

If you read Japanese I totally recommend checking out the Benesse
Women's Park website - you can search for places to deliver in your
specific area and there are usually reviews on each place. That's how
I found Toyoshima.

Here's the website:

http://women.benesse.ne.jp/

You need to become a member to read the full reviews, but this is a
seriously helpful website if you are looking for pediatricians,
maternity clinics etc all over Japan!!!

cheers,
kat