354: Cultural Crossroads: A Japanese Mother’s Journey through Birth, Postpartum PPD Stigma

My guest today shares the culture shock she felt as a Japanese woman giving birth in the US and experiencing the vastly different healthcare system. Being away from her family was challenging, but she also felt frustrated with postpartum care in the US as compared to Japan. She also shares about the deep stigma of postpartum depression among the Japanese people, how she handled that as a new mother with PPD difficulties, and how we can improve perinatal care in the US. Join us to hear Keiko’s story!

Keiko Yoneyama-Sims is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Supervisor who lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband, two teenage daughters, and a cat. Born and raised in Japan, she moved to the US for her college education. In her private practice, Keiko has worked with women experiencing PMADs for over ten years, along with facilitating workshops and networking events for local birthing professionals to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. With a primary focus on perinatal mental health, Keiko is currently working toward a Ph.D. in social work at the University of Denver. She is the health and wellness director of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Asian American Professionals and has presented at international conferences, facilitated workshops, written articles, and co-authored a book chapter on perinatal mental health. Her collaborations with clients, supervisees, and colleagues emphasize equality in relationships using a strength perspective. 

Show Highlights:

• Keiko’s path into the work she does today
• Keiko’s experience as a Japanese woman who came to college in the US
• The culture shock over the differences in healthcare in Japan and the US, including billing procedures, care practices, postpartum care, and nutrition
• The massive gaps in the US because postpartum care focuses solely on the baby–not the mother
• Messages about motherhood need to change at the societal level.
• The Japanese traditions of a 40-day resting period for new mothers, weekly midwife visits, etc. 
• How things are changing in Japan around perinatal mental health
• Depression can have very real physical symptoms!
• Keiko’s perspective on how we can make changes and improve the perinatal mental health system in the US
• Keiko’s advice to Japanese-American moms

Resources:

Please find resources in English and Spanish at Postpartum Support International, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be a better support in offering services. 

You can also follow PSI on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and most other platforms

Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.  

Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!