Dr. Terumi Hayashi

Stories from Her Student Days

To start off, Dr. Hayashi, don’t you think you haven’t changed much since you were younger? I get that impression. What do you think?

Not at all. I’ve definitely aged. But I was quite active, and when I was a student, I rode a 400cc motorcycle. Instead of getting a car license, I thought, "Maybe I’ll get a motorcycle license instead." I figured my parents would oppose it because they’d think it was dangerous, so I secretly got my license. But eventually, all three siblings, including myself, ended up getting motorcycle licenses one by one. My parents must have been surprised, but they probably couldn’t say much after that. On weekends and holidays, I went on tours with my siblings and friends. Once, my sister and I went on a motorcycle tour from our home in Hyogo to Mt. Fuji. We didn’t climb the mountain, but we went up to the fifth station by bike and enjoyed the mountain air. Riding the bike felt great. I thought, “I can be the wind!” I also used to dream of riding a bike with my long, shiny hair flowing behind me, so I grew my hair long. But because I was exposed to car exhaust and dust, my hair became incredibly frizzy and full of split ends... so I had no choice but to cut it short. Reality didn’t quite match the dream.

It’s surprising to hear that you rode a motorcycle. How long did you ride?

I got my license when I was about 23, and then I stopped riding when I started working as a doctor. I couldn’t afford to get injured, after all. Once I stopped, I couldn’t ride again. It felt too scary. Looking at old photos, I remember it fondly. When I went on tours on weekends, other bikers would call out to me, invite me to gatherings, and tell me about great routes for biking, and I enjoyed expanding my circle. When I leaned into the corners and heard the bike whir as I rode, I felt like “I’ve become the wind!” It was an incredible feeling. I can’t do it now, though...

The Reason I Chose to Become a Doctor

What made you want to become a doctor?

There were no doctors in my immediate family, but my grandfather and uncles were doctors. When I was young, whenever I went to my grandfather’s house, I would smell that distinct hospital scent, and I thought, “I really like this smell.” It wasn’t so much that I wanted to be a doctor, but more like I was subtly influenced by it. I remember when I was in elementary school, my homeroom teacher asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and I replied, “A female doctor!” The teacher asked, “An actress?” and while I thought, “Maybe an actress would be good too,” I answered “female doctor” instead of just “doctor,” which I feel was very typical of me, even as an elementary school student. I decided to become an obstetrician and gynecologist partly because of the influence of Junichi Watanabe’s novel Hana Umi. This work tells the story of Ginko Ogino, Japan’s first female obstetrician and gynecologist. After being infected with a sexually transmitted disease by her husband and enduring the pain and difficulty of being examined by male doctors, she realizes that the only way to save women from this suffering is to become an obstetrician, overcoming various prejudices and challenges to thrive as both a doctor and a woman. It’s a really wonderful book.

Hobbies and Refreshing Activities

It’s true that when thinking about getting on the gynecological examination table, visiting a gynecologist can feel daunting. But having a female doctor can ease some of the nervousness, right? I imagine that your daily practice might be filled with a lot of tension, Dr. Hayashi. What do you enjoy doing during your days off?

Lately, I’ve really enjoyed sewing. I make pouches, bottle covers, and even wallets. There are all sorts of fabrics, zippers, and decorations available at 100 yen stores, so I go there to shop on my days off and combine them to create new items. Recently, one of the joys has been making things for the staff. I try to keep in mind their preferences, like, “That person likes blue,” or “They have a favorite character,” and I make sure to make something that suits their taste.

That’s such a lovely hobby. It looks like it’s useful, and since it's fabric, it also has a warmth to it.

Thank you, I appreciate that. I think what I really enjoy is spending the whole day on my days off, cutting and combining fabrics, and sewing them together. There’s a sense of accomplishment in it, and when I give them to the staff and they say “Thank you,” it refreshes me and motivates me for work.

I think that’s what leads to good care every day.

Yes, exactly. Reproductive medicine is never the same for any two couples or individuals. With regular illnesses, if you have a certain symptom, you can expect a certain medication, and you can predict how the illness will progress and heal. But in reproductive medicine, there are no such general rules. Every couple has different ages, different living environments, and different emotional states. We provide care tailored to each couple, and I also feel like we’re "helping with pregnancy." Patients put in so much effort to conceive and have a baby during their cycle, so when I’m with them, I try to make sure they’re as relaxed as possible, offering reassuring words and support to help them feel at ease.

Not all patients have successful treatments, right? How do you handle those situations?

It’s quite difficult, but I always try to be empathetic toward the patients’ feelings. When a patient is older or has gone through several unsuccessful cycles, some of them will say, “I think this is where I want to stop.” In those cases, I might say something like, “You don’t need to make a decision right now; take some time to think it over,” and sometimes, after discussing it with their partner, they’ll decide, “Let’s give it one more try.” Patients’ emotions can fluctuate from moment to moment, so I believe that being able to talk things through with them each time helps provide reassurance. This is something I really appreciate about online consultations.

Could you share a message for the patients?

With fertility treatments and in vitro fertilization becoming covered by insurance, there has been an increase in young couples seeking treatment. At the same time, with the trend of later marriages and later childbirths, it’s not uncommon for older couples to seek treatment as well. Sometimes, I have to deliver difficult news, but I always strive to find the most suitable approach for each couple and help them on their path to pregnancy. While the ultimate goal is, of course, to have a child, I aim to ensure that when the treatment ends, patients feel that they have given it their all. To achieve this, it’s important to receive treatment without leaving any doubts or anxieties behind, so please feel free to share any concerns or questions you may have. Additionally, recently, more women are considering egg freezing. This is one of the options for “preparing for the future” and living “on your own terms,” and I think it’s a good choice to consider.

Finally, do you have anything to look forward to in the future?

I love animals, especially cheetahs. I’m deeply moved by their speed when they run and the way mother cheetahs protect their cubs. I am also touched by the strictness of the mother cheetah when she sends her cub off to be independent, and the sight of her walking away. I have visited safari parks to see cheetahs, but since they are not in the wild, I didn’t get to see them running much. I hope to someday visit Tanzania or Kenya to see wild cheetahs.