How does maternity care and giving birth differ between the US and Japan? Spoiler alert: the bar is so low for Americans that everything here seems pretty awesome. Cheyenne shares her birth story in this episode and we chat about maternity clinics, postpartum care, epidurals, government subsidies, paternity care, and more in this special episode. 

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at conbinicultpod@gmail.com

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words

和痛分娩  watsuubunben - delivery with pain-reducing medication

無痛分娩 mutsuubunben - pain-less childbirth/delivery

迷惑 meiwaku - bothersome, trouble, annoyance

文化の違い bunka no chigai - cultural difference 

産後ケアホテル sango kea hoteru - postpartum care hotel

立会い tachiai - presence, observer, witness

年休 nenkyuu - yearly paid vacation

里帰り出産 satogaerishussan - going back to one’s hometown to give birth

References/sources:

Japan set to fully cover childbirth costs possibly from April 2026 

https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/53841

Leading Japanese hospital suspends childbirth pain relief

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/2622/

Father not involved after birth. Is this tradition? (8 years ago)

https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/76sapd/father_not_involved_after_birth_is_this_tradition/

Time stamps

00:00 Cheyenne is back

9:02 birth chat/intro

12:29 hospital/Cheyenne’s birth story

28:45 general birth costs, hospital system

39:43 after birth expectations and experience

46:07 hospital visitation

52:23 culture shocks

56:54 paternity leave

1:03:18 listener stories/other perspectives 

1:09:38 leading hospital suspends epidurals