Having a Baby in Japan as a Foreigner: Steps, Japanese Words and Getting Help
Having a baby in Japan as a foreign resident is very manageable, and care is generally excellent, but most of it happens in Japanese. The key steps are confirming the pregnancy at a clinic, registering it at your city or ward office to get the Mother and Child Health Handbook (母子健康手帳) and check-up vouchers, choosing where to give birth early, and registering the birth within 14 days. Learning the key words, preparing questions for appointments and having an interpreter for important ones makes the whole experience far less stressful. Here’s an overview, with the Japanese you’ll meet along the way. In an emergency, call 119.
The main steps
- Confirm the pregnancy at an obstetrics and gynaecology clinic (産婦人科, sanfujinka).
- Register the pregnancy (妊娠届) at your city or ward office. You’ll receive the 母子健康手帳 (boshi kenkō techō, often called boshi techō) and vouchers that cover much of the cost of routine check-ups. Many municipalities offer the handbook in other languages, including English, so ask.
- Choose where to give birth and book early. Popular hospitals and clinics fill up months ahead.
- Regular check-ups (妊婦健診) throughout the pregnancy.
- The birth, usually followed by a hospital stay of around five days for a vaginal birth, often longer after a caesarean.
- Register the birth (出生届) at the city or ward office within 14 days.
Words you’ll hear at appointments
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 妊娠〇週 | ninshin ___ shū | ___ weeks pregnant |
| 出産予定日 | shussan yoteibi | Due date |
| つわり | tsuwari | Morning sickness |
| エコー | ekō | Ultrasound scan |
| 陣痛 | jintsū | Labour pains, contractions |
| 破水 | hasui | Waters breaking |
| 帝王切開 | teiō sekkai | Caesarean section |
| 無痛分娩 | mutsū bunben | Birth with an epidural |
Things that may surprise you
- Epidurals are less common than in many Western countries, and not every hospital offers them. If you want one, ask early when choosing where to give birth.
- Weight gain is often monitored closely, and you may get firm advice about it.
- Partners’ presence at check-ups and the birth varies by hospital. Ask.
- Many women return to their parents’ home before and after the birth (里帰り出産). Hospitals may assume this, so explain your plans.
Money and paperwork
Check-up vouchers reduce the cost of routine check-ups, and national or employee health insurance pays a lump-sum childbirth allowance (出産育児一時金) towards the birth. Ask your hospital and city office what you’re entitled to. For a baby born in Japan to foreign parents, you’ll also need to apply for the baby’s status of residence within 30 days of the birth and contact your embassy about a passport and citizenship registration. Check the Immigration Services Agency’s and your embassy’s websites for current rules.
Preparing for appointments
Write your questions down in advance, bring your boshi techō to every appointment and ask for important information in writing. Our guide to Japanese at the doctor covers general medical phrases. For key conversations, such as your birth plan, test results or a change in plans, an interpreter can help. See our guide to an interpreter for medical appointments in Japan.
How Hanabuddies can help
We offer live English–Japanese interpreting, in person or online over video, for non-emergency appointments where the hospital agrees, calls with hospitals and city offices, and reference translations of documents and forms. Our tutors can also teach you the Japanese you need for check-ups and the hospital stay. In an emergency, call 119 first. Tell us your due date and what you need help with.