Classes

For Prenatal and Postnatal Mommies located on and around Yokosuka Navy Base, there are so many resources. For anyone PCSing and expecting a baby, fear not! Support systems are abound! I have never had any trouble with the Navy Hospital here. The quality care - I could not say enough good things about. Unfortunately, I think sometimes that military hospitals in general get a bad rap. But I can honestly say that I've never had to wait very long during my appointments. Additionally, the doctors take their time, listen to me, and answer any questions that I may have or point me in the right direction. Also, it's hard to be a bad doctor here, when in this small community we are bound to run into each other! I have also heard some good things about pregnancy clinics off base. Unfortunately, I don't have much information but I do know that once here, it's easy to find out. I'm also currently on the search for a prenatal massage and I think I've found a location. Now, just for the trick of actually, physically finding the location and then translating enough to ask for an appointment! I'm eager to explore that though.

At the gym, they have a fantastic prenatal yoga class. A good friend of mine actually instructs it. She's a mom herself (3 girls) and very knowledgeable in Yoga. She's also constantly trying out new and fun things. She sometimes works to get all of the ladies in her class together for lunches or small baby showers. Not only is it very healthy, but it's a good way to meet other expectant mothers.

Although sometimes expensive (but sometimes not), the Japanese have come up with some very nifty little baby gadgets. Something they just came out with in the States but can be picked up at any Daiso are little Velcro hooks for a stroller. Perfect for hanging shopping bags, purses, or diaper bags. In the Land of Extensive Walking, extra stroller space is always a plus. Walk into any Toys R Us or department store and you're likely to find a slew of baby slings and carriers. The strollers and car seats tend to be pretty pricey but worth checking out if you've got the time.

Many folks thinking about a visit to Japan but are wary of taking their babes... Fear Not! Child safety & quality standards are equal if not higher than in the USA. Anything you could ever need for your tiny tot is here. The Japanese are EXTREMELY child friendly (Save for the stereotypical Japanese salaryman, who are notorious for being rude and inconsiderate to both women and children). I think that's definitely a concern for friends or relatives who want to visit here but are concerned about not being able to find certain things that they can find in the States. Like the United States, Japan is one of the biggest consumer societies. Most likely anything can be found here for a baby. Promise.

Post-baby on base has a whole lot of classes as well. Yokosuka Navy Base is the land of pregnant women and new babies. Newcomers will not have a hard time finding a fellow mother to hang with. There are also breastfeeding groups, lactation consultants, & midwives. Along with emotional support, there is also a mommy and baby yoga class, and a stroller exercise class offered at the gym. If exercising with baby isn't your thing, there is a child watch program at the gym as well. Don't trust your precious babe with "just anyone"? You can also exercise on equipment while you watch your baby play. Classes run about $3.50 per class. For more info check out the CFAY webpage.

If you're a civilian (military spouses included) and need to work full time, try to get reserved ASAP (as in months before) at the Main CDC (Child Development Center). Spots are limited and waiting lists can be long. Another on base option is CDH (Child Development Homes).

When I found out about all of these classes, I was really looking forward to pregnancy and baby as I'll have a TON more support than I did the first time around.

As of now, I'm feeling huge. I'm starting to get those looks at the gym (the, "is she fat, pregnant or what?"). One of Mike's buddies said I should walk in there and start working out while eating a Ding Dong and say while onlookers are staring, "I'm maintaining!" I thought it was pretty hilarious myself.

Sleeping is becoming uncomfortable again and I'm busy thinking about whether it's a girl or boy. I had a dream that it was a boy. My girlfriends did a test where you hold a necklace over my belly and which ever way it goes determines the sex. Back and forth is boy, circular is a girl... I got back and forth. I also asked a friend's 6 year old daughter, who apparently has predicted 3 sexes of babies with a 100% accuracy. She said it's a boy. Of course, these are scientifically proven methods (Insert sarcastic voice here). This pregnancy has been pretty easy so far. I think the exercise is helping. I didn't exercise at all with Joshua. I feel a lot stronger in general and even though I'm tired a lot, I feel better than I did with the first pregnancy. However, I'm much more self-conscious about my size. I look bigger than a typical Japanese woman would look in her 9th month and that can be discouraging. Of course they do give birth to much smaller babies but for some reason that isn't a comfort to me while walking around town and seeing small little petite pregnant women waddling around. I'll have to put a picture up when I'm feeling particularly HUGE.