Hi! I am a new Navy wife (got married in May) and my husband is stationed in Sasebo aboard the USS Essex (moved here in July). I just found out that I am pregnant, due in March! Yay!

The only thing is ... I am VERY far away from home, and really have no idea about anything. I'm looking for other parents who are maybe in a similar situation, or who might be around to share support.

Thanks!

You may want to visit the FFSC, or community center. They have classes that offer new mothers to get together. There are also spouse groups onbase, so you can try that also.

The USS Essex command has an ombudsman, which should be able to assist in right direction.

You can contact them here:

http://www.ombudsmanregistry.org/?m...65&c=25454

Here is the USS Essex, ombudsman homepage:
http://www.essex.navy.mil/Site%20Pa...amily.aspx

I would possibly email them, ask them about any programs, or spouse groups available. Most of the women in those groups, have had kids, or know people with kids, so it should get you started.

GL

Congratulations!

I know how exciting and scary being newly pregnant and away from home can be! I don't live near by, but if you have any questions about being pregnant or just want someone to talk to, feel free to PM me! You can also check out these websites:

http://www.babycenter.com/

http://www.thebump.com/

They both have forums where you can talk to other women who are pregnant and due around the same time you are, as well as get some good info, for example babycenter.com has a "your baby this week" feature where you can put in your due date, and see a picture of what your baby looks like at that stage and what various body systems are developing.

Congrats again! =D

Congrats to Mara Jade!

Chancie, babycenter.com is an excellent recommendation. My "baby" had a baby in January, and she received valuable information from the website and great support from fellow members. (Remind you of JB?) In addition to the prenatal features, she continues to receive weekly updates on parenting issues and what to expect from her little one at his various stages of development.

Yea, I loved babycenter.com when I was pregnant... just be careful of taking things in the forums too seriuosly, sometimes I would see where people would swear that their 'old wives tale' was solid medical advice... Would annoy me to no end! But the different articles can be great at helping you pass the time and get some good info. When I was preg. with my first, my hubby was on a ship and spend alot of time in and out of port. It was a great way to pass the time.

Congrats! I'd love to hear what your experience is delivering in Sasebo. Will you go out in town or are you going to choose to go to Yokusuka? We're hoping to have another one during our time there so I'd love to hear what it's like!

Congrats! Not sure if you know by now or not about the storks nest in Yokosuka. I had my son in Yokosuka, and if you are wanting to deliver there, you are eligible to stay at the storks nest from 38 weeks until you deliver. Its very convenient because it is right next door to the hospital. Good luck with everything, I live on negishi housing base but if you ever have any questions please ask!

Hello! I am pregnant too, due in April. We arrived in Sasebo in June, so I'm in a very similar situation! This will be my second baby (my son is three), so I have some experience with childbirth, but I know how daunting the idea of delivering in a foreign country is! Especially since we only have these little clinics out here! I am determined to have the baby here in Sasebo because my husband was deployed when our son was born. I also have a high risk pregnancy, so there is the possibility that I won't have a choice about where I deliver, and will be sent to Yokosuka or the States. So I definitely could use some support too! I live in Hario Village Housing, and am pretty much available all day if you need someone to talk to or just to listen while you freak out! You can send me a PM and I'll respond as quickly as possible! Good luck!

I would love to hear an update on how you ladies and hopefully babies are doing! Where did you end up delivering and how was the experience overall. I hope you are all doing well!

Anyone look into MOPS? This is "Mothers of Pre-schoolers", it's a support & social group for new moms. Generally it's run through the chapel, so call the chapel office & get connected with other moms.

If you are over a certain weight, or considered a "high risk" pregnancy, you will probably be sent to the Stork's Nest in Yokosuka. I've heard it's very nice there, and my friends who have delivered there all said it was a very positive experience.

If you are below the weight cut-off, and not considered "high risk", you probably can deliver in Sasebo. I have friends who delivered at Sogo Hospital (the one very close to Nimitz Park), and they said it was great. Several pregnant friends had their OB visits with Dr. Higashijima at the Ladies Clinic in Sasebo, they all raved about what a great place it was, more like a spa than a doctor's office.

Do contact religious ministries on base, the FFSC and the FRG for some great resources local to Sasebo. If you want to PM me, I can even pass your contact info along to a couple of friends who recently had babies in Sasebo, if you want to talk with them.

Best of luck!!

whoops, just realized that the OP posted a LONG time ago! Hope everything is wonderful for both Mara Jade and Mrshinkley!

Oh hey look it's this thread I started ages ago...!

Things went okay -- there are two clinics in Sasebo for gaijin to have babies; if you have complications you go to Sogo hospital. In every place, you have NO epidurals, NO pain relief. That wasn't very fun. And my regular doctor was not on call when my son was born (and I didn't much care for the doctor who was -- he had no bedside manner). It's true what they say about Higashijima -- I wish I had gone there instead of Murakami (there is a lady doctor -- Dr. Sato -- who is wonderful. If you go to Murakami, ask for her). All the nurses, however, are really nice.

But seriously, anyone pregnant in Sasebo, look for Higashijima ladies' clinic.

Everything went fine, though; my son was born very healthy and is three months old now!

Good luck to other new moms!