After spending over six years as a journalist for The Japan Times, my husband, our son and I came to live in the Netherlands in August 2007.

This is my second stay with my Dutch husband. Our first life here 10 years ago was as DINKs and freewheelers — able to go clubbing when we wanted or travel to exotic places like Namibia.

So this column will highlight not just the contrast between Japan and Holland, but also life with and without kids.

One of my main tasks right after returning to Holland was to give birth to our second son, Kai Jasper. This was not easy when our shipment from Tokyo containing baby stuff was delayed by three weeks and I was still unpacking with a huge belly on my due date. Luckily, my delivery was also delayed so Kai's baby room was ready just in time.

Pregnancy and delivery in Holland made me experience many things I believe are peculiar to the country.

1. Why don't you deliver at home?

This was the question I was most frequently asked. There seems to be an almost religious belief in Holland that home delivery is the best because you are relaxed and because you can take care of the baby with your own stuff from Day One.

But as a Japanese whose first delivery was at the comfortable (and luxurious) Aiiku Hospital in Minato Ward, Tokyo, my reaction was, "What?"

For example, what about in cases of emergencies, I thought. The medical system in Holland says it can take an expectant mother to a hospital within 15 minutes if necessary. But looking at the traffic and bridges that constantly open to let boats through (a typical Dutch sight), I was doubtful.

Inclination for home delivery comes from the Dutch belief that giving birth is a natural thing. But statistics show that neonatal infant mortality rates here are higher than the European average.

2. Kicked out of hospital after four hours!

Anyway, in my case, after repeatedly reminding the midwife of my age, (yes, I am an old mother), I was granted the right to deliver at a hospital.

But here awaited another hurdle. Hospital delivery in Holland generally means you go home within 24 hours postpartum, but many mothers are actually sent home after just four hours or so!

And with sharp contrast to the army of seven medical staff at my first delivery in Tokyo, there was virtually only my husband and an assistant midwife here — because my midwife had gone chatting with her colleagues during most of my labor.

It's not fair to compare a local Dutch hospital to the hospital where Princess Kiko gave birth to Hisahito-sama. But I missed the pampering at Aiiku Hospital, where for six days, angel-like nurses so courteously took care of me and baby.

So by recommendation of a friend, I pretended to be dizzy after birth and managed to stay overnight. But I regretted this soon after. Those who stayed over were people with real problems so my baby and I were kept awake by cries and growls all night long.

3. Kraamzorg

Pregnant women in Holland receive from the? health insurance a maternity package containing such baby-care necessities as sterilized gauze. But this package also contains a navelklem, a clip to hold the umbilical cord on the baby after it's cut. Though this is only used during home deliveries, many pregnant foreign friends in Holland are scared to see such an item. I'm keeping mine to scare my Japanese visitors.

I must admit I've been pretty critical so far. But there's one wonderful side to Dutch deliveries ? a kraamzorg (maternity nurse) comes to your home to help for up to eight days after birth.

Unlike in Japan, where all such instructions are given at the hospital, the kraamzorg helps you with the bathing or breast-feeding of a newborn. If you get a really nice one, she even cooks or cleans the toilet!