Welcome to my new Episode with Anika about babywearing in Japan. Anika is originally from Germany and lives in Japan since 2012 and has a German-Japanese family.  Anika is not only the founder of Ginkgoleaf‘s, a German blog for German-speaking parents in Japan, but she also works as a babywearing consultant, which is today’s topic!  We are discussing multiple questions :  Why is it so difficult to find the right carrier in general and here in Japan? How to find local babywearing...

Hi  in this video I share 3 beaches you can escape to during the Tokyo summer heat!

Are you "dying" in this Tokyo heat? Does it almost make you feel sick?  Do you feel like you cannot handle it anymore? ...on top of that you are heavily pregnant or have a toddler that doesn’t stop sweating?  If the heat is pretty hard on you , stay tuned I will provide some solutions for you!   First, this will be a series of two episodes.  In today’s episode, we talk about outside places and activities, Japanese food that keeps you cool, Japanese products and what to wear.  I learnt one...

In todays episode I have Sandra from Switzerland.  She is now the second time pregnant. We will discuss why she decided to give birth at Ikuryo Hospital in Meguro and why she didn’t go back Kyorin University Hospital. We also talk about her marriage with her Japanese husbund and how Japanese often confuse Switzerland with Sweden. :)  Have fun!    Sandra ‘n Yusuke  Tiktok: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSePm8fRP/   Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCdusvKVSAzNnATFb-V9GyNw  Instagram:...

I was very surprised when some ladies told their doctor mentioned to avoid sex or that this information was provided on hospital leaflets. I personally I haven’t heard something similar form any doctor, even though I was in four different facilities during my pregnancy. Also there are no scientific studies about this topic. So why would the doctors suggest something like that? Here are some assumptions. Let me know what you think what the reason is? What is your experience?

In today’s episode Alice from Australia talks about her Japanese Mother-in-Law: How did she react to her pregnancy? What were her advices during pregnancy? Why does her husband sometimes need to double check the messages before sending it? What is the best way to understand and to communicate with a Japanese Mother-in-Law? I hope this will be helpful for you!  What are your stories with your Japanese Mother-in-Law? Enjoy!

In this episode I had the pleasure to welcome two guests: Stephanie and Cat! Stephanie Kawai is originally from the UK and is now living for over 20 years in Japan. She is the woman behind Tokyo Pregnancy Group, Tokyo Mothers Group and also works as a doula. Cat and her husband are from California, and they have been living in Tokyo since the summer of 2019. In January 2022 she gave birth to her first child at the "birth and ladies clinic Sola".  In this episode Cat will share her birth...

You want to bond with your baby BUT you have feelings of inadequacy in singing? You lack of confidence in your singing voice? Misa helps mamas to realize the beauty of their singing voice so they can confidently nourish themselves and their babies with lullabies. She shared detailed tips to get the most out of singing to your child *and most importantly* she offers hand-held guidance and support to overcome feelings of inadequacy in singing. Listen to my new episode to learn more about a...

During Covid19 pandemic nearly all hospitals in Tokyo prohibit your husband or partner to stay during giving birth wut hthe wifes. Having experienced the same situation during my pregrnancy, I would like to share some ideas hhow to cope with that situation. Enjoy! Vicky 

I got a an urgent message from Caroline last week! „ Vicky, we have to do our interview now! I have been reading the crazy messages about Aiiku not allowing husbands for labor.“ I have been in touch from Caroline for some months for a podcast interview. Caroline transferred from Aikku hospital to the Matsugoaka birth center also because they didn’t allow birth partners to attend labor when she was giving birth in December 2020. Now, when the same situation repeats itself, she wants other...

In todays episode I have my first male guest! Eric Hora, from the USA, lives with his German wife since several years in Japan. Last year their son was born. At that point Eric noticed that there is no network group for Dads in Japan.That’s why he created the Facebook group ‚dads in Japan’.   In this episode we discuss about the challenges of foreign dads in Japan, cultural differences regarding Japanese and non-Japanese dads, paternity leave habits in Japan, how dads can support their wives...

In this podcast I would like to give you a very basic overview of the Japanese nurseries. Usually, Japanese nursery school starts from 0 years until the age of 3. There are both public and private nurseries available for each. The public ones are supported by Japanese government therefor usually more affordable. Learn more about licensed and unlicensed nurseries in Japan! An example of temporary childcare: https://mominoki-yoyaku.site/ I hope this is helpful for you!

In this episode I would like to present three rituals for the end of year. When the year turns to an end, it’s a great opportunity to let things go and welcome new things like the new year, also like new challenges and new family members like a new born. By the way, rituals of letting old things go and welcoming new things used to be practiced a lot of cultures. Here is my selection of three rituals: 1. -> go back through the year 2021, what was positive? What was negative? Go through...

Today, I would like to introduce you into the world of affirmations or let’s see it, as a love letter to you and your baby.   You might experience some fear - fear of giving birth or fear of the postpartum period. To experience a calm and empowering birth it’s  important to overcoming fear. Preparing yourself by learning more about a positive birth process, exercising, practicing breathing, asking for advice from professionals like doulas and so on is very helpful!   A very easy and effective...

In today’s video Alice, from Australia, describes her personal IVF story in Japan: the process of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), where a woman's eggs are fertilised outside her body. Afterwards it’s placed inside her body to help her get pregnant.  Infertility affects around 1 in 7 couples worldwide. In 1978 the first baby conceived by IVF was born and since then millions of babies have been born using in vitro fertilisation.  How does it work and how does it effect mentally a couple?  Check...

Today I have my first interview guest from Sapporo!  Amy is originally from Toronto, Canada. This is her 2nd time living in Japan. The first time was in Matsuyama, Shikoku where she lived for 2 years.  Amy’s family is Japanese-Canadian and her husband is Japanese. Today she lives with her family in Sapporo Hokkaido where she has been living since June 2019. Last year she gave birth to her daughter at Sapporo Maternity Women’s Hospital. In  today’s episode we will learn more about her birth...

Rannva, originally from the Faroe Islands, moved from Sydney to Tokyo when she was 8 months pregnant. Listen to her birth story: how she managed to organize everything and how she had a positive birth experiences although having to move in late pregnancy to Japan. On top of that COVID19 restrictions in the hospitals changed just 2 days before she gave birth, so her husband could not attend.    For a calm and positive birth experience she recommends: https://calmbirth.com.au/ Enjoy!

The postpartum period can be difficult in times, not only mentally but also for your body. Simple things like peeing might be a whole new story after having a baby and incontinence can happen. That’s why the recovery of the pelvic floor is essential and you can even start with simple exercises while you are pregnant. Don’t be scared about it - get the information what you can do and gain confidence in your postpartum journey.   In this episode the certified midwife Célia shares insights how...

Dzhiga, is originally from Russia, Kalmykia. The Kalmyks are Mongol subgroup in Russia, who are primarily of Buddhist faith. She gave birth to her daughter Diana last fall at the University of Tokyo Hospital. She started off at the Aiiku clinic but after a miscarriage they recommended to her to go to the University of Tokyo Hospital. Some of the doctors and staff speaks English at the University of Tokyo Hospital but not all. That’s why her advice is: „Learn basic Japanese vocabulary for...

I had the chance to interview Alice, who is a translator (English/Japanese). For a limited time she offers her translation service for pregnant foreign women in Japan who need help to communicate with their Japanese doctors. She also offers to exchange with other women about the IVF (In Vitro Feritilisaton) process in Japan. Alice is originally from Australia. She gave birth to her daughter Melody last fall at the Tokyo Iryo Center in Tokyo. Alice shares with us her birth story and also how...

Todays we have a special episode - I had the opportunity to interview Anne-Sophie Mpacko, who is a psychologist.   Anne-Sophie is originally from France, she came to Tokyo a few months ago for her PhD at University of Keio, she studies the health and welfare of children who's moms live abroad. Previously, she did her master thesis on Malian / West-Africa moms who raised their children in France.  She shares her insights about the research regarding West-African moms abroad and their unique...

Today I had the pleasure to interview Japanese Mom Midori-San. She gives insights into a specific Japanese custom of giving birth. Enjoy! https://www.pregnantinjapan.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pregnantinjapan/

In today’s episode we get best insights from the sleep consultant and scientist Laura Gainche. Laura is a geneticist and has a PhD in human sleep physiology. She lives with her daughter and her husband, who is Japanese in Tokyo, since 2018, but has been living in Japan on and off for 12 years. When her daughter was born she blended her scientific knowledge with her intuition and gradually developed her own sleep and parenting. She found out that her approach could be also helpful for other...

Jennie, who is originally from the UK, gave birth to her beautiful daughter Aska last year in June. She chose the Showa University Hospital. Today she shares her birth experience at the Showa University Hospital in Hatanodai, Shinagawa and also compares the Iryo Center in Meguro, where she gave birth to her first daughter. Showa University Hospital in Hatanodai, Shinagawa: https://www.showa-u.ac.jp/SUH/index.html Yoga Glo App https://www.glo.com/ City...