16 Days Left

I'm sitting here at my desk, well near my desk, counting the days for my son to come. I can't quite fit in my area any more because my belly has become so unbelievably huge that I sit about a foot away.

It's just struck me that there are only 16 days left and I am not prepared! Of course I am ecstatic to see him but not really looking forward to the delivery. Although people often have more than one child so it must not be so horrible as to put women off for the rest of their lives.

I've had a great time being pregnant and can't believe that this incredible experience will soon be over. I now see what women mean when they say they would like to be pregnant forever.

Not For The Squeamish

We went to our last Papa Mama class to prepare for the delivery. I can tell you it was NOTHING like you would get in North America. It's my first child but if child birth classes are like this in Canada I would have heard about it!


We watched a very dark home birth video with a woman faintly groaning in the distance and then a baby popped out from under a red blanket. It had absolutely nothing to do with the actual birth that most people in the class will experience as we have all chosen a city hospital. I guess it was just a "this could be you scenario??".

The highlight was when the midwife, a lovely lady, put on special shorts that had a simulated vagina in the crotch, laid on the floor and showed us from 4 different angles how the baby will look when it comes out. I hope she is getting paid a lot. Todd and I didn't know where to look but our eyes kept straying to the frilly pink material sewn between her legs.

Last but not least and mildly interesting is that when women in Japan decide to eat their placenta they eat it raw with a bit of wasabi and soy sauce. It's buttery texture and rich flavor is compared to "BASASHI" or horse meat sashimi - which is actually quite delicious.

Temptation fleeted across my mind but only that.

Japan's Heat Wave

When you're pregnant your body temperature increases and so a mere 34C day feels like a 40C day. Never mind that you are usually carrying around quite a few extra pounds - 16 in my case.

Since rainy season officially ended last Wednesday I have been housebound trying to avoid the brutal sun and just keep rested. This seems like the hottest summer I have ever lived through in my life! Next pregnancy I will definitely do over winter - plus it will be an new adventure.

When I said I wanted to go to the ocean this year for Obon everyone said it would be impossible, now I see why. New plan is Nikko for a cool mountain stay!

No real estate today!

That Weekend At GreySkull

Sometimes ultrasound pictures are a little scary!

Pregnant With First Child

I went to the doctor here yesterday for my 17 week check-up. I actually really enjoy the whole Japanese medical process. I think we are being made wimps back home(Canada).

I don't need a lot of tests (although I see the value of having them if you are in a higher risk bracket) from what I have read on the net everyone back home is offered the test even if they are in their 20's and have no history of genetic abnormalities in their family. Sounds like a cash cow for the medical system... Plus why stress the mother more and introduce a foreign body into your baby's sanctum?

I like that I will get two midwives and a doctor who stands in the background, I like that I won't be doped unless necessary (of course I can say that now but in the throws of it who knows???) and that I should cope with the pain instead of mask it.

Trust me if anything goes wrong I'm the first to be grateful for a first class, modern medical facility but to be honest my body has been perfected to do this through evolution - surely it knows what it is doing?