I am a new civilian here in Yokosuka and I just found out that I am pregnant!!! I am happy and a little afraid as well. I see many mothers around base and was wondering if some of you could share your experiences at the USNH with me. This is my first time PSCing so all of this is new to me and I just don't know what to expect.

Was the experience pretty similiar to a regular stateside experience?

Do they perform regular ultrasounds during your pregnancy?

Is the staff kind and friendly?

Just everything!!! I want to know everything!!! Feel free to be long winded:-)

Thanks Much!!

Hi Newbie, congrats on your news, being a mother is surreal but the most rewarding job EVER! I had both of my children in Japan, my son was born in a Japanese hospital in Hachinohe City and my daughter was just born at USNH Yokosuka in May this year! The experience was really good! I had one little problem which I won't tell you about as it was probably a one off!
Anyway yes the staff are wonderful and very attentive and the doctor who delivered Mia was awesome, I dont know if he is still there (Dr. Cheng)!!! The rooms are really nice and big and clean and have en suite bathrooms! The food is really pretty good too and the staff do regular checks for your baby and all the tests while you are in the hospital! They even give you a certificate with the baby's footprints on! So you should be fine and yes, they do regular ultrasounds and check ups and everything you would pretty much get at home! Be prepared for the really long ultrasound you have at 36 weeks, you have to drink a ton of water and are not allowed to pee for about an hour prior to the US and then once its done you are allowed to go potty! LOL!

I'm new to the whole experience too, and so far my whole experience has been great!!! Dr. Cheng is still around last time I went to one of my appointments, though I'm with Dr. Stoker who is also really good. Thanks for the info on the 36 week ultrasound, as I am now 35 and my appointment is next week! I didn't know about that!!

Congrats on your baby news! A fun, exciting and overwhelming time, especially being overseas.

I had my first and second daughter here in Yokosuka at the USNH, my son in the states, and I will be having our 4th baby here in the Spring again. Having an overseas experience and a stateside experience in the birthing process, they can be quite different, but what they all had in common was very good care.

I was VERY nervous to have my first baby overseas much less at a military hospital ( I grew up completely non-military affiliated), and while the rooms, the food, and the nursery may not be what you would find at a nice, private hospital in the states, they do the best they can with what they have and the most important thing overall is just having that baby safe and sound no matter where you are.

Compared to the states, the USNH is a bit different in that they do rooming in(at least they did in 02 and 05) which basically means the baby is with you in the room because they do not have the facility for babies to be kept all night while Mama rests. This is purely different for each woman. Some enjoy having the baby right there with them, others like having some rest time. Personally, I was fine with rooming in and would call a nurse when I wanted to take a shower so they could watch the baby for 20 minutes or so. Now at the hospital I went to in the states they had the birthing tub, etc to use but do not have that here. They DO have the birthing balls ( I lived on it with my second) and try to accomodate you the best they can.

Yes you get regular ultrasounds as they are needed, and honestly, I have always gotten more overseas then when I was stateside, but that may differ from one person to another.

As far as the friendliness and caring of the staff, it honestly could be either. I had some attendants in every birthing experience that I wasn't fond of, and I have also had some amazing ones who truly made the experience that much better. So far I have recieved wonderful care at the OB/GYN desk and truly adore Dr. Walker. What I have learned in all my pregnancies and labors is do not be afraid to tell someone if you are not happy with your treatment.

My first was smooth sailing, my second I had a lot of complications and this USNH Yokosuka truly cared for my little one as best as any hospital could.

I also recommend finding a support person. Be it someone else who is due right around when you are, having support right now because family is so far away really makes things better! Don't forget the budget for baby class NMCRS offers ( you get a free baby bag filled with some goodies for the baby!) and sign up for all the prenatal classes you can!

Congrats, once again, and feel free to ask any questions! Everyone here is so helpful and has great advice to offer!

Wow!!! Thanks so much ladies for all of your responses!!! They were all so great and definitely gave me a peace of mind. My first OB appointment is next week. I already have one baby that I had stateside and she is two now, so everything will not be all new to me. I was just interested in knowing how this whole military hospital experience will be. You ladies have given me some insight!!! Thanks so much:-)