Maternal and Child Health Handbook, Pregnancy Checkups, and Childbirth Costs
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, submit a notification of pregnancy at your city, town, or ward, and you will receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook and other materials.
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, submit a notification of pregnancy at your city, town, or ward, and you will receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook and other materials.
Childbirth and health insurance
Subsidies for pregnancy checkups and foreign-language versions of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook differ by local government. The actual cost of childbirth also differs by medical institution and method of childbirth.
Normal childbirth
- Basically not covered by ordinary public health insurance treatment
- If you are enrolled in health insurance and meet the conditions, check the Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant
Medically necessary procedures
- A cesarean section and similar procedures may be covered by health insurance
- This does not mean the full amount is always covered by insurance
Maternal and Child Health Handbook
The Maternal and Child Health Handbook is used to record things such as:
- Your health condition during pregnancy
- A record of the birth
- Your baby's growth
- Checkups
- Vaccinations
You will use it at medical institutions and at checkups run by your municipality.
Foreign-language versions
Depending on the local government, a foreign-language version of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook or foreign-language information may be available.
Check with the municipality where you live.
Pregnancy checkups
Pregnancy checkups (ninpu kenshin) check the health of the pregnant woman and the baby.
When you submit your notification of pregnancy, you will be given an examination voucher, subsidy coupons, and similar documents.
What is covered by public subsidy, and the amount, differs by municipality.
Childbirth costs
Unlike medical treatment for an illness, a normal birth is basically not covered by ordinary public health insurance treatment.
On the other hand, if you are enrolled in health insurance and meet the conditions, a Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant (shussan ikuji ichijikin) is available.
The actual cost differs depending on the medical institution and the method of childbirth.
Cesarean section and similar cases
Medically necessary procedures, such as a cesarean section, may be covered by health insurance.
If you are worried about payment
Consult early with the medical institution where you will give birth and with the health insurance you are enrolled in.
What you can check next
- First steps when you are pregnant
- When your baby is born
- Health insurance in Japan
- Wanting to receive medical care in a foreign language
Main places to check
- Children and Families Agency
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Your municipality
- The health insurance you are enrolled in
Last checked: August 2026