At "WOMAN EXPO TOKYO 2017," an event for working women to shine in their own way, a "Fertility Seminar for Working Women" was held. The first part was a "Fertility Seminar" by Dr. Hiromi Yoshikata, an obstetrician and gynecologist who is active on the front lines and highly trusted by working women. In the second part, beauty model Maya Tanaka appeared and participated in a panel discussion on the theme of "fertility." Approximately 200 people participated on the day, listening attentively to information about fertility and childbirth, as well as many valuable stories that they wouldn't normally hear.
Part 2: Panel Discussion
Healthy and also contributes to "fertility treatment"
How to maintain a beautiful body
In the second part of the panel discussion, in addition to Professor Yoshikata, beauty model Maya Tanaka and Miyacchi, who is in charge of Rohto Pharmaceutical's ovulation test kits, took the stage. These experienced mothers shared their thoughts on "trying to conceive" and healthy living based on their own experiences.
Host: Saori Kurozumi
(Senior Researcher, Nikkei BP Research Institute Marketing Strategy Research Institute)
Maya Tanaka
Debuting in 1999, she has since become a widely active beauty model, appearing in numerous women's magazines and cosmetic advertisements. Pursuing beauty both internally and externally, she has obtained qualifications as a Junior Vegetable Sommelier, AEAJ Certified Aromatherapy Advisor, and Holistic Beauty Certification. She is also a mother of a 3-year-old boy. Her published works include "Beauty Model Maya Tanaka's Maternity Beauty" (Sekai Bunka Publishing). Official Instagram: @tanakamaya_official
Common misconceptions and key points about trying to conceive
— Ms. Tanaka, you got married at 30 and gave birth at 32. Could you briefly tell us about the circumstances leading up to your pregnancy?
Ms. Tanaka: I was using an ovulation prediction app to track my ovulation and menstrual cycle. Then, unexpectedly, I conceived a child, which really surprised me. I thought I was controlling things properly, but I realized that apps can sometimes be inaccurate.
— Ms. Tanaka conceived even though she intended to shift her ovulation date. Dr. Yoshikata, could you tell us about common misconceptions and mistakes people have regarding "trying to conceive"?
Dr. Yoshikata: As I mentioned in the seminar earlier, unfortunately, the idea that you can have children indefinitely is incorrect. While egg freezing technology is advancing, even if the stored eggs combine with sperm to form fertilized eggs and are returned to the body, if the mother is older, there is a possibility of developing gestational hypertension, and childbirth and child-rearing will be difficult, so it cannot be said that it is okay indefinitely.
It's a misconception that you can get pregnant if you have your period. It's wrong to think that you can easily get pregnant until around the average age of menopause, which is 50. While menopause for women is between 45 and 55, after the age of 40, even if you have your period, there's a higher chance that you won't ovulate, or that the eggs you ovulate aren't viable for conception, making it difficult to get pregnant without special methods. Even younger women can experience "anovulatory cycles," where they have their period but don't ovulate, so it's important to check your ovulation.
While men produce sperm every day, does age not matter? Not exactly. As men age, their physical abilities decline, leading to conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED), and the number of times they can't reach ejaculation increases. So, men can't be said to be fine forever either.
— Are there any key points to successfully conceiving?
Dr. Yoshikata: The important things are exercise, sleep, and diet. It's important to pay attention to these things and keep your body in a state where you can use your full potential. It's difficult to try to conceive when you're busy and not getting enough sleep or food, so try to live a healthy lifestyle.
Ask experienced moms!
What kind of lifestyle is good for trying to conceive?
— Are there any particular things you pay attention to in your daily life, Ms. Tanaka?
Ms. Tanaka: It's about keeping your basal body temperature high. My basal body temperature is 36.5℃. Thanks to that, I can wake up feeling refreshed in the morning, and I think it's also effective in preventing my body from getting cold. Specifically, what I do is drink a glass of warm water when I wake up in the morning. Also, I soak up to my shoulders in a hot bath for about 15 minutes. While long, slow soaks in the bath are trending, it's said that soaking in the bath for too long can cause the skin's moisturizing components to be lost. So I chose this bathing method, and I feel like it warms me up to the core.
—That's the kind of attention to detail you'd expect from a beauty model. How about your diet?
Tanaka: What I pay attention to in my diet is eating brown foods. White foods are said to often cool the body, so I choose brown rice instead of white rice, rye bread instead of regular white bread, and brown sugar instead of regular sugar. I also actively consume fermented foods, which are said to improve gut health, and recently I've even started making my own miso.
— Mr. Tanaka, is there anything you pay particular attention to when it comes to sleep?
Tanaka: My way of relieving stress is sleeping (laughs). Even if something unpleasant happens, I feel refreshed after sleeping, so I value sleep.
Dr. Yoshikata: When you sleep, a hormone called melatonin is secreted, and this hormone has a relaxing effect. When it is secreted normally, you can change your mood just by sleeping.
— Ms. Tanaka, you led a lifestyle that was good for your beauty, which ultimately made it ideal for your "fertility treatment," right? Miyacchi, who works at a regular company, what did you pay attention to when you were "trying to conceive"?
Miyacchi: I now have a six-year-old son, but we don't do anything special. Before we had a child, both my husband and I had jobs that required a lot of travel, so we made an effort to cherish the time we could spend together. We enjoyed our time together by going on trips and having delicious meals.
— Dr. Yoshikata, are there any points to keep in mind when trying to conceive?
Dr. Yoshikata: Lately, there are a lot of so-called "thin pregnant women." Some women feel that they don't have enough energy to nourish their baby, even though they are pregnant. Vegetables are important, of course, but please also try to eat a balanced diet that includes protein, which is necessary for building muscles and blood, such as meat, fish, eggs, and legumes.
Problems unique to women.
How can I make my period more comfortable?
— Ms. Tanaka, do you have any problems with your period?
Ms. Tanaka: My menstrual cycle is stable at around 28 days, and I don't have any problems with menstrual cramps. Speaking of periods, I've recently heard from colleagues on set and other moms that cloth menstrual pads are good, but is this something that gynecologists would recommend?
Dr. Yoshikata: Cloth menstrual pads are great! Commercially available pads often contain synthetic fibers that cause irritation and can lead to physical discomfort.
Ms. Tanaka: I used to have concerns about cloth sanitary pads because washing them is a hassle, and I wondered what to do when I needed to change them while out and about. But recently a friend taught me a good method. It involves cutting an old T-shirt or piece of cloth to the right size and placing it over a commercially available sanitary pad. I heard that even just doing that can improve your physical condition, so I'm thinking of trying it myself.
Dr. Yoshikata: I recommend placing a gauze pad on top of a sanitary napkin. It's 100% cotton, and if it's medical-grade, it's safe and easy to wash. You can buy gauze at a drugstore.
Tanaka: That's a great idea! I'll try using medical gauze too.
Working mothers teach
Balancing childcare and work What are the key points?
— Do you currently have any plans or hopes for a second child?
Miyacchi: After giving birth to my first child and returning to work, it was difficult to balance work, childcare, and family life, so I thought I didn't want a second child for a while. Now that my son is 6 years old and has become cooperative enough to help out, I'm starting to think about having a second child.
Ms. Tanaka: I'd like to have a second child by the time I'm 40. My son is now 4 years old and doesn't require as much attention as a baby, so I was thinking of enjoying a year or two of my own time. But after attending Dr. Yoshikata's "fertility seminar," I'm realizing that at 36, I don't have that luxury anymore... I learned so much from what the doctor said; it was all new to me.
—Finally, could you please give some tips and advice on balancing work and childcare to everyone in the audience who is trying to conceive?
Ms. Tanaka: It's difficult to work while raising children, and I think mothers often end up trying too hard on their own. But having children helps to create a balance between work and personal life, and you can also make new discoveries. Even when I come home tired from work, just seeing my child's smile makes all the fatigue disappear, and my child is a source of energy for my work. Also, I think the key to success is to be able to rely on your husband and get his support.
Miyacchi: I recommend getting your husband to be good at housework during the time you have together before the baby is born (laughs). Many of my friends say they don't get much help from their husbands, and quite a few say it's like having two children. By doing all the cooking, laundry, and cleaning together before you have a baby, your husband will gain a better understanding of housework. For working women, a man who is cooperative with housework is a blessing, isn't it?
Yoshikata-sensei: I also raised three daughters, and all I can say is, "Don't try too hard." Looking back on my own parenting, I wasn't able to balance childcare and work. There were many times when I wanted to work so badly but couldn't and had to leave it behind, but I made sure to enjoy the time I spent with my children to the fullest. By doing so, I discovered things like how fun zoos and picture books can be, and I'm glad I did. Instead of forcing yourself to balance both, think about which you want to focus on at any given time, childcare or work, and if you find a balance, I think you'll be able to enjoy life.
The panel discussion lasted about an hour. Various topics related to "trying to conceive" were discussed, but what was particularly impressive was Ms. Tanaka's point that a lifestyle good for beauty is also ideal for "trying to conceive." Those of you considering starting "trying to conceive" should definitely take this into consideration.