Expecting a baby in Japan? In this blog article, we will be taking a look at various useful vocabulary words in Japanese related to pregnancy and childbirth!

We will also be sharing with you some information about giving birth in Tokyo, such as: what being pregnant in Japan is like, a list of English-friendly hospitals in Tokyo and some information about childbirth financial aid in Japan.

ALSO CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE ON:

• Going to a Hospital in Japan
• The Complete List of Japanese Hospital-related Vocabulary
• Guide to Going to a Gynecologist in Japan

Key Vocabulary for Pregnancy and Childbirth

General Terms 

Below is a table of general medical words you may need to know when going for a medical checkup in Japan.

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
産婦人科	Sanfujinka	Obstetrics and Gynecology
病院	Byouin	Hospital
訪問時間	Houmon jikan	Visiting hours
医者	Isha	Doctor
看護師	Kangoshisan	Nurse
助産師	Josanshi	Midwife
妊娠	Ninshin	Pregnancy
妊婦	Ninpu	Pregnant Woman
分娩	Bunben	Delivery
入院	Nyuuin	Admission
定期検診	Teiki Kenshin	Regular Checkup
血液型	Ketsueki Gata	Blood Type
体重	Taijuu	Weight
身長	Shinchou	Height
体温	Taion	Body Temperature
血圧	Ketsuatsu	Blood Pressure

Pregnancy & Childbirth 

The table below consists of common terms used during pregnancy and childbirth in Japanese!

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
最終月経	Saishuu Gekkei	Last menstrual period
胎児	Taiji	Fetus
胎児心音	Taiji Shinon	Fetal heartbeat
胎動	Taidou	Fetal movement
超音波検査	Chouonpa kensa	Ultrasound examination
分娩予定日	Bunben yoteibi	Estimated date of delivery
つわり	Tsuwari	Morning sickness
痛い	Itai	Painful
陣痛	Jintsuu	Labor pain
頭痛	Zutsu	Headache
はきけ	Hakike	Nausea
背中が痛い	Senaka ga itai	My back hurts
出血	Shukketsu	Bleeding
注射	Chusha	Injection
麻酔	Masui	Anesthetic
分娩室	Bunben shitsu	Delivery room
帝王切開	Teiou sekkai	C-section
経腟分娩	Keichitsu bunben	Vaginal delivery
へその緒	Heso no o	Umbilical cord
いきんでください	Ikindekudasai	Please push
マタニティーマーク	Mataniti maku	Pregnancy Badge
母子健康手帳	Boshi kenkou techou	Health book for mother and child

The Baby 

This table includes words and sentences in Japanese you can use after giving birth to your baby!

Japanese	Pronunciation	English
赤ちゃん	Akachan	Baby
双子	Futago	Twins
出生証明書	Shussei shoumeisho	Birth certificate
新生児室	Shinseiji shitsu	Nursery
赤ちゃんにあえますか。	Akachan ni aemasuka	‘May I see my baby?’
赤ちゃんを抱っこしてもいいですか。	Akachan o dakko shitemo iidesuka	‘May I hold my baby?’
ミルク	Miruku	Formula
人工栄養	Jinkou eiyou	Bottle feeding
母乳	Bonyuu	Breast milk
母乳栄養	Bonyuu eiyou	Breast feeding
母乳をあげたいです	Bonyuu o agetaidesu	‘I want to breast feed.’
授乳室はどこですか？	Jyunyushitsu wa doko desuka?	‘Where is the nursing room?’

Being Pregnant in Japan 
In Japan, the locals see pregnancy as a period for women to discipline themselves both mentally and physically. There is a huge “gaman” culture, which translates to ‘enduring’ or ‘bearing with it’. Hence, most Japanese women choose to give birth ‘naturally’ and not receive any kind of pain relief at all.
As a matter of fact, pain relief such as anesthetic is not a common thing at all in Japanese hospitals. So if you are looking to receive pain relief during your pregnancy and/or childbirth, do make sure to double-check with your hospital!
Did you know that in Japan, fathers are not always permitted at birth? In some hospitals, fathers are required to wait in the waiting room while the mother gives birth in the delivery room. This is because having the father present during birth can be distracting to the doctor. Though it may be a different case in every hospital, this is a good point to note when choosing the hospital you wish to deliver at!

In Japan, all expectant mothers are able to receive a Maternity Mark keyring from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This keyring is for showing strangers that special care should be given to you. For example, giving up a seat on the train or refraining from smoking near you. 

English-friendly Hospitals in Tokyo 

If you are finding for a hospital in Tokyo with services provided in English, rest assured that there are a couple in Tokyo which you can choose from!
Below we have included a list of some English-friendly hospitals in Tokyo.

1. Aiiku Hospital
2. Japanese Red Cross Medical Center
3. Sanno Hospital
4. Jikei Hospital, Women’s and Children’s Center
5. Seibo International Catholic Hospital
6. St Luke’s International Hospital

Financial Aid for Childbirth in Japan

If you are ensured by Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) or employed by a company in Japan, you are entitled to receive Japanese insurance benefits.
The government provides a lump sum called ‘Childbirth and Childcare Lump Sum Grant’ worth 420,000 yen, which can be used to cover the costs of giving birth.
Also, the government provides child allowance, at 15,000 yen per month until the age of three, and 10,000 yen per child per month until the third year of high school.