Getting Pregnant

[lenn]

Hi all! Can anyone refer an English speaking female ob-gyn around Yokohama area? I did pregnancy test at home for I am 1 week delayed and it comes out positive. My first idea was to go to local ward office to get a mother/baby book, and ask them where hospital or clinic to go for check ups. but an acquaintance told me that I need to bring the result of my check up proving that Im really pregnant already...I have no experience with any hospitals or clinics here except from a dentist. your response will be a great help and relief...based on my calculation, i am on my 5th week of pregnancy but up to now i dont know what kind of folic supplements or vitamin c i can take.

[becki_kanou]

I don't live near Yokohama, so I can't offer first-hand advice, but a quick google turned up this list of English-speaking doctors in the area.
English Speaking Doctors. (http://www.city.yokohama.jp/me/kohoku/en/doctors.html)

As for supplements you should be taking folic acid, iron and calcium. But don't take the calcium and iron (or magnesium and iron) together, because they interfere with iron absorption. Ask your doctor, or google pre-natal supplements for more info. Also if there's a good English bookstore near you pick up a copy of "What to expect when you're expecting" It has lots of good advice.

Also if your husband/boyfriend/baby's father is Japanese, or can speak reasonably well you're better off bringing him along, especially for paperwork etc.

Congratulations from another pregnant gaijin in Japan!

[Emoni]

Lenn. I can't remember the name, but above the Foreigners Cemetary there is a combo Dentist and Doctors office for foreigners and has English speaking doctors if I remember right. I went there for a filling/fix a tooth that broke in half (not sure how) and they did a great job. If the doctors are any where near as good as the dentist you might check the place out.

One word of warning!!! Some medical offices do NOT ACCEPT the national insurance that you might have. Be very careful to check ahead of time before going there and wasting a trip.

Oh, and congrats.

[epigene]

The medical clinic Emoni's talking about is the Bluff Clinic.
http://www.japan.survival-links.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=25&MMN_position=42:15
It has a long history of treating foreign residents, so it should be comfortable for you.

There are other English-speaking doctors as well, according to the link.

HTH!

[Emoni]

The medical clinic Emoni's talking about is the Bluff Clinic.
http://www.japan.survival-links.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=25&MMN_position=42:15
It has a long history of treating foreign residents, so it should be comfortable for you.
There are other English-speaking doctors as well, according to the link.
HTH!

VERY nice Epigene! That is exactly the clinic I was talking about!