Has anyone given birth at Camp Lester NH in Okinawa?

Jill - posted on 01/02/2012

She was born in Oki Oct 14, 2009! Everything went fine except for sharing a bathroom with someone who would repeatedly leave me locked out and leave their postpartum mess all over...ick! The staff was great about cleaning when i asked though!

Karla - posted on 01/02/2012

Ok this is about 3 yrs late but I'm just coming across this. I was born there in 1981, and both my little sisters were born there 1989 and 1993. Pretty sure my mom didn't have any major problems. Maybe some minor complaints as we all will have with each of our hospital births. I hope you didn't go back stateside as for your child, it will be cool to be able to say they were born overseas... especially somewhere amazing like Okinawa.

Jill - posted on 03/29/2009

thanks for the advice on the paperwork- I've actually seen a few AFN commercials about it and planned to ask my dr about it next week =)

Lancia - posted on 03/29/2009

Nancy brought up a GREAT point. Ask about birth registration PRONTO even before you have the baby. It's such a paper-loaded affair and whatever you have ahead of time is great.

Nancy - posted on 03/29/2009

Jill,

Congrats on the baby and Oki! :) We just left Oki this past summer and I miss it so much!  I had my first baby there in 06 and it was great.  We are expecting number two in a few weeks and I wish I were there to have her.  Yes, you will hear "horror" stories from people, but for every not so nice story, there is always a good one too.  I agree with the other ladies responses....ask your questions. No question is stupid or embarassing. If you are thinking it, I am sure there are at least two other soon-to-be moms on the tour with you thinking the same questions.  The hospital staff is great and very professional. This is what they do, and on Oki, they get A LOT of practice. :)  I don't want to bore you with all the details of my delivery, but  my son and I had complications and the staff was there as soon as the monitor would start going off. The NICU staff was great too and very welcoming when I wanted to see him. As for the rooming with another mom, yes during the typhoon months you may have to share a room, but I ended up having a double room to myself. The staff was great about cleaning the bathroom in the 5 days we spent in the hospital, so I never really felt grossed out. That was one of my biggest concerns when I was there. I would recommend bringing shower shoes anyways.  Also, the birth registry paperwork takes a while, so I recommend getting it done ASAP.  I hope this helps a little.  GOOD LUCK! Everything will be fine and you will do great. Just remember, you have your best friend, your biggest fan and your number one supporter there to help you out, if you can tackle and overseas birth, you can do anything. :)

Dian - posted on 03/26/2009

Hi!  I gave birth to my first child there in 2003.  Not sure I have any info to help you since there has obviously been rotation in staff.  My best advice is to question everything!!  You've had a baby already so you know the drill.  I was checked for dilation status and the nurse was off by 5 cm!!!  We had a midwife on staff do a second check and found I was ready to deliver.  Check, check and recheck.  Have a birth plan and be sure your husband is on the same page.  He is your advocate while you will be a bit "off" due to pain, pushing, etc.  Hope this will easy your mind.  Don't worry.  There is capable staff there.  There HAS to be. 

Jennifer - posted on 03/26/2009

Jill,

In the past year they have been re-modeling the 5th floor L & D.  Go on your tour and ask about sharing rooms.  I do know that overflow on those "full moon" days go down to the 3rd floor medical/surgical unit.  My husband is an RN there and they get their own room, baby alert braclet...basically all the comforts of L&D.  You only go down to 3 if you are doing really well and are a "seasoned pro." 

Jen

Jill - posted on 03/26/2009

I have heard they are quite busy several months after typhoon season =)  I am more concerned about my creature comforts postpartum.  I guess I need to have the tour in person to make my own judgements and ask the staff my questions too.  I just think it is awful having to share a room with another new mom and baby and their family...and just plain disgusting to have to share a bathroom with another woman who also just had a baby and is "recovering"...  I had my first baby at camp lejeune in nc- my labor and delivery experience was wonderful  but then they moved us to the mom and baby ward up stairs and after 7 hrs in a room with another family had to send my husband to beg for them to give me my own room.  Once we were alone as a family and had our own space it was much better.  SOmeone told me today that they thought they possibly redid the L&D or mom and baby area at lester recently so that would be nice- but I don't really know.   Thanks Jen and Lancia for your replies!!  I appreciate any input I can get!!!

Lancia - posted on 03/24/2009

My daughter Elaine was born there. I lived on Camp Lester, too... made it easy for me! I didn't have any problems at all. Just remember that having a baby is like getting wisdom teeth pulled - everybody tells you the horror stories but rarely tell you it went just fine (like me - all 4 at once, no complications!). Seriously, the staff was very professional, and they have a NICU as well in case anything happens. My only problem was the L&D on the 5th floor!! But I would recommend them any time. They deliver 120-150 babies a month - they hit their peak 10 months after the biggest typhoon, if you catch my drift. :)

Jennifer - posted on 03/24/2009

Hi Jill,

I am here right now in Okinawa.  First let me say I have not had a baby here but I will next year (planning).  I am with you about thinking about going home to give birth.  I am nervous about what I have heard but recently 4 of my friends had babies here and said it was fine.  Obviously, it isn't going to be like the wonderful civilian women's hospitals at home but they survived and they have healthy beautiful babies.  I am interested to hear what others have to say.

Jen