What is MOMCREW?

MOMCREW is a coordinating agency for post-partum doulas in and around Tokyo, Japan. Since its establishment in December 2015, our mission is to be “on the same boat” with all the mothers who seek help and support mentally, physically, and informationally before and after giving birth (usually up until the time when the child enters school).

The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek, meaning “woman who serves.”　According DONA International, the world’s first, largest and leading doula certifying organization based in the U.S., doula is “a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help her achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.”

MOMCREW’s goal is to help mothers stay happy and smile throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period, which makes it easier for her loved ones in the family to also be happy.

As some refer doula as a mother to the mother, our work includes house-cleaning, doing laundry, help with the newborn, preparing nutritious meals that can help recovering the maternal body and to produce breast milk. Doulas also provide mental and informational support to mothers, encourage them and their families to seek medical or other professional care when needed, and be a source of local community resources.

We believe that giving birth away from your homeland should not make you give up on your ideal birth. We are here to help and support in any way we can to ensure that you have a wonderful birth and postpartum experience in Japan, regardless of your circumstance being aboard and/or away from your family.

What are the benefits of hiring a doula?

In 2017 to 2018, Yumiko Akahoshi, a founder and representative director of the MOMCREW had conducted a research on postpartum doulas in Japan for her master’s thesis at the Rikkyo University.

Her research examined the effect of postpartum doulas on women after giving birth. The findings showed that women are less likely to suffer from a postpartum depression when they had the support from postpartum doulas (11.4% with doula, 20.0% without doula); they are more likely to breast-feed their baby for the desired period of time (82.1% with doula, 69.1% without doula).

There are many other studies conducted all over the world that also prove doula’s positive impact on the new family.

If you have any questions on how you can benefit from having a postpartum doula, please feel free to contact us from the inquiry form here.

List of Services and Fees

*Please note that although the doulas in MOMCREW receive a basic training for English communication, the services are primarily provided in Japanese.

Postpartum Planning

Postpartum Planning includes pretty much everything about your postpartum, including how you want to spend your everyday life, how to share the housework with your partner, or how you would want to be as a new family.

It is like a postpartum version of your birth plan.

For the planning, we first ask around 50 questions regarding your family’s circumstances, including the amount of help and support you can expect to get from your friends and family after birth, about the elder siblings, etc.

As a father and a mother to your child, how would you like to live your new life and be a parent? What would you plan for your child’s future? We can help you clarify what you seek and plan your life with the newborn baby.

After the careful planning process, we will then make suggestions on how much support you would need from our CREW.

Doula Service #1: Mother’s emotional support and companionship

Although most people recognize the difficulty of giving birth, what they often miss is the fact that life after the birth can also be difficult for many women and their family.

There will be a tremendous changes in mother’s body and hormonal balance, and many will suffer from tiredness and pressure from unfamiliar routines of child caring, including breastfeeding and changing diapers every two to three hours.

It is the time when the mothers need to rest the most, however, many mothers are forced to raise their baby by themselves without enough support and help, which can lead to a postpartum depression or in the worst case, a child abuse.

CREW will be there to listen, and support both mentally and physically.

Doula Service #2: Housework

Cooking

We can cook a Japanese-style meal that is good for postpartum body, or prepare some dishes for latter eating. We can prepare a meal of your request, as long as we have the recipe. The cooking can be done for father or elder siblings. Also, if anyone is allergic to eggs, milk or any other foods, or have preferences for sugar or oils, we can prepare correspondingly.

Cleaning

Vacuuming and mopping the floor, making bed, cleaning bathroom, toilet, balcony, entrance, or garden, or doing and hanging the laundry outside, fold and put away.

Others

Any other services that you may request, including drying the futon outside.

Doula Service #3: Child Care

Baby’s care: Bathing, carrying, changing diapers, milk, play.

Elder sibling’s care: Playing, taking kid(s) to and from the childcare center or kindergarten, or any other services that you may request.

List of Fee

●Postpartum Planning

Before birth 5,000 yen After birth 6,000 yen

●Doula Service

6,000 yen per hour

●English Translator

5,000 yen per hour

*Above fees include transportation fee, excluding tax.

Case Examples

◆Having no support during the first 8 weeks postpartum.
◆Wanting to have a good rest to recover your body.

6 days a week x 3 hours per service x 4 weeks = 432,000yen (excluding tax)

◆Past 8 weeks to up to 4 months after giving birth.
◆Feeling overwhelmed with housework and childcare

3 days a week x 3 hours per service x 6 weeks = 324,000 yen (excluding tax)

◆Wanting to sleep for solid amount of time
◆Wanting to clear the built-up housework

2 days a week x 5 hours per service x 4 weeks = 240,000 yen (excluding tax)

◆Having friends and family to support for sufficient amount of time
◆Just want some help with cooking or cleaning
◆Wanting to have someone to be there to comfort and listen

1 day a week x 4 hours per service x 8 weeks = 96,000 yen (excluding tax)

◆Wanting to receive help when needed (not regularly)
◆Wanting to have some time on your own for refresh
◆Need doula service at the time of urgent matter

5 hours per service 30,000 yen (excluding tax)

Areas of Service

Currently our services are offered in the following areas of Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures, Japan. We are seeking to expand our areas, so even if you live outside the following area, please contact us.

Tokyo

23 wards: Hachioji, Tachikawa, Musashino, Mitaka, Fuchu, Chofu, Machida, Koganei, Kokubunji, Kunitachi, Higashi-Yamato, Kodaira, Higashi-Murayama, Nishi-Tokyo, Kiyose, Higashi-Kurume

Saitama Prefecture

Asaka, Shiki, Wako, Ni-za, Fujimi, Fujimi-no, Saitama, Tokorozawa, Hanno, Sayama, Iruma, Misato, Koshigaya

Chiba Prefecture

Kashiwa, Matudo, Funabashi, Ichikawa, Urayasu

Kanagawa Prefecture

Yokohama, Kawasaki, Yokosuka, Kamakura, Izu, Fujisawa

 

Special Services

In addition to the doula service, the MOMCREW offers other special services that may help mothers go through the maternity and nursing period.

The special services are available only upon request. If you are interested or would like to know more details, please contact us at the inquiry here.

Aroma Body Treatment

We have a number of certified therapists who can visit your house and do a full aroma body treatment of your request.

Aroma Treatment 60min. 11,500 yen
Aroma Treatment 90min. 15,500 yen
Aroma Treatment 120min. 19,500 yen
Maternity Treatment 60min. 13,500 yen

Jakuseki Reflexology and Bodycare

In Jakuseki Reflexology, the practitioner puts pressure on 64 reflex points on your body, which results in the relaxation and improved state of physical body.

60min 7,500 yen
90min 10,500 yen
120min 13,500 yen

Hair Cut

Before and/or after birth, you may face a difficulty making time for your hair salon. This service offers you a professional hair cut right at your home.

Hair cut for an adult (1hour) 12,300 yen

Henna Treatment

We have chosen an organic ingredient that includes 100% natural henna for a healthy hair and scalp.

Due to its high detoxification effect, henna can help eliminate harmful substancea and wastea out of your body so that the cells can rejuvenate, resulting in a shiny, resilient, healthy hair.

2 hours 21,500 yen

Mehndi Art

The word mehndi refers to “applying henna to your skin” or “painting designs on your skin by henna” in Hindi. Dying skin with the henna plant means good luck in many areas of the world, including south and middle east Asia and African countries.

We recommend Mehndi Art to those who wish to create a beautiful memory of your pregnancy and to pray for the safe delivery of the baby.

3 hours 31,500 yen

Important Information

Cancelling Fee

Please note that we ask for the cancelling fee as follows:

●50% of the total fee will be charged if cancelled after 5PM on the 5 days before the service day.
●100% of the total fee will be charged if cancelled after 5PM on 2 days before the service day.

Membership  System

Please note that to provide a quality service and comfort and to protect your personal information, we take the membership system. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in advance.

□ Terms of Service
□ Privacy Policy

TEL:03-6362-5216

Should you require any assistance on the birth in Japan, please do not hesitate to contact us at the inquiry here.

Example: Hospitals or birth centers that frequently accept mothers from aboard, services that you may use to help with your postpartum other than doula, babysitter for your elder siblings, etc.