At the begining of my stay in Saudi Arabia. I didn't expect a new baby. Because my first daughter was 1 and half years. I was nervous to stay abroad. Additionally, I didn't know anything about this country. I was too scared to have the new baby. However, as I stayed in this country more and more, I have noticed that this is not so bad country.
If I have enough money, I can get anything, daily necessities, baby stuff, and in my opinion, it is more convenient than the country side of Japan. There are not so many department stores in a small village in the country side of Japan.
Do you know how many Japanese are herein Saudi Arabia? It has decreased
since 'Gulf War' in 19 .There are about 200 Japanese now days in Saudi
Arabia. There are some pregnant Japanese ladies here too. However, almost
all pregnant Japanese ladies choose to deliver in Japan. I have chosen
to deliver here in Jeddah. Because, it is too long to live in Japan apart
from my husband! I don't want to separate my family.
Actually, I hesitated to have the new baby here in Jeddah. I knew some ladies who have delivered their babies here and take care of them. Especially, one Korean lady who I trust and is my best friend gave me lots of informations. The main problem is getting a domestic helper who can help me. It is not easy to find a domestic helper who can speak English, who can cook, and take care of kids well. I have changed domestic helper 4 times. Finally, I have found the best one. It ism first experience at employing them. There is some trouble in employing them, the most difficult problem is explaining how to cook Japanese food. How to cook white rice, how to cook 'Miso soup' how to make a Japanese tea and so on. I notice that we need more patience for Japanese cook. It is not easy to even boil the spinach. I had to be more patient when doing this.
Medical service environment.
At first, I had to check the medical service in Jeddah. I was also nervous
about it. But there is the latest medical equipment, and it is clean. Many
of the doctors are Egyptian who are Muslim also. My doctor was Egyptian
who had studied in United Kingdom. They say he was kind and trusting. I
tried to have a nice relationship with him for 10 months. To my surprise,
on my delivery day, he was not in the hospital. Do you know where he was.
He went to makkah to pray, and he could not come back that day!It is 'Inshalla'(
Got willing!) I didn't know the woman night doctor at all. It was the first
time we met. We couldn't communicate with her at first eventually. It was
all right. Every thing is a nice memory in Saudi Arabia.
Welcome to my new baby!
My second baby was born on 13th September 2001. Do you remember 11th September
in America? It was a horrible attack on America. I was also shocked by
such a cruel situation. I watched the sad news every day and it depressed
me so much. I also watched the news that broadcast about Muslim and Islamic
religion in Japanese. Saudi Arabia became famous because of 'Osame bin
Ladin.' It became unsafe here. I wondered if I could get the aeroplane
with a big tummy! I was really anxious about the situation. However, the
baby has come. It was 2 weeks earlier than expected. Fortuately,she is
healthy. She was 3150g.
How do I deide to have my baby in Saudi Arabia.