Hello Everyone! I am currently 37 weeks pregnant here in Japan, and I was discussing with my sister the pros and cons of giving birth in Japan now that my pregnancy is fast approaching its end. I thought it would be helpful to discuss the reasoning behind staying here in Japan to give birth to my first child, instead of flying back to the my home country in the USA

STABILITY

The number one reason I chose to stay in Japan to give birth is due to the stability here in Japan. Japan has been my home for the past two years, so suddenly picking up everything to fly back to the USA would have been hard financially and emotionally. Here in Japan, I have a job, health insurance, apartment, and a husband. In the USA, I have none of those things anymore. Therefore, I would have had to move back in with my family, perhaps go on public assistance if I couldn't find a job with benefits, and probably battle depression, while pregnant, due to the burden I would have suddenly put on my family and feeling like I can't support my child on my own.

COST

People are beginning to realize how ridiculous the health care system is in America. You can expect to pay exorbitant amounts even with decent insurance. Therefore, on top of not having a job or my own home, I'd be putting myself into massive amounts of debt due to hospital bills. In Japan, your prenatal appointments and even delivery are heavily subsidized by the government. It doesn't matter how much money you make (or don't make) as well. The government gives you upwards of 500$ to cover your prenatal appointments, a free cervical cancer screening, free prenatal dental screening, and a whopping 4,000$ to put toward giving birth in a hospital. Also, once the baby is born you can apply for a plethora of subsidies ranging from medical subsidies, to child care subsidies, and you are even entitled up to a year of maternity leave and six months of childcare leave. I literally couldn't afford to trade in an opportunity like this.

SPOUSE

Another reason I decided to stay in Japan is due to my husband. He is a Japanese national, and leaving him behind in Japan (getting an American visa is not that easy and he also can't just up and leave his life) was not an option. He has been an absolute God send during this pregnancy, and I couldn't imagine leaving him out of the process. Just us two is more than enough to raise a child, and I really didn't have a good enough reason to argue moving to the USA to give birth.

FUTURE PLANS

My husband and I plan to move permanently to America at some point in the future, and therefore, I really wanted our child to have experienced as much as their Japanese culture as possible because I know they won't be able to get as much of it in the States (depending on where we move). Therefore, there really was no rush to move to America, especially if it meant that I would be doing a disservice to the Japanese side of my child's heritage. Also, as of now, with Covid-19 and the current leader, we are also not that eager to move back, and I am glad with my decision to stay here in Japan.

And there you have it! While my true home and family reside in America, I really had to think about my new home and family here in Japan. Yes, I am craving Five Guys, miss taking spontaneous drives, would have liked to experience a baby shower, etc. But I wouldn't trade financial stability and my husbands involvement in the process for anything in the world!