First Steps When You Are Pregnant

If you think you might be pregnant, first see an obstetrics/gynecology clinic or other medical institution.

Once pregnancy is confirmed, submit a pregnancy notification to your city, town, or ward, and receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook and other materials.

1. Confirm whether you are pregnant

Even if a home pregnancy test is positive, confirm the pregnancy at a medical institution.

If you are worried about your physical condition — such as severe abdominal pain or heavy bleeding — consult a medical institution promptly.

2. Submit a pregnancy notification

Once pregnancy is confirmed at a medical institution, submit a pregnancy notification to your city, town, or ward.

The location and required items for this procedure vary by municipality.

3. Receive your Maternal and Child Health Handbook

When you submit the pregnancy notification, you receive a Maternal and Child Health Handbook.

The Handbook records your health during pregnancy, childbirth, and your child's growth and vaccinations.

You will also be given prenatal checkup coupons/subsidy vouchers at the same time.

4. Have prenatal checkups

Prenatal checkups confirm the health of you and your baby.

There is public subsidy from your municipality, but which tests are covered and the subsidy amount vary by municipality.

5. Check where you will give birth

Which medical institutions can handle childbirth varies by area.

Once you know you are pregnant, decide early where you will give birth.

6. Check childbirth costs and health insurance

If you are enrolled in Japan's public health insurance and meet the conditions, you will receive a "Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant."

As of August 2026, the grant amount is, in principle, 500,000 yen per child.

Actual childbirth costs vary depending on the medical institution and other factors.

If you are working

There are systems for taking leave from work and for working arrangements before and after pregnancy and childbirth.

Check with your workplace about the procedures and systems you need.

If it's difficult to consult in Japanese

Some municipalities offer consultation in foreign languages or interpreters.

If you have concerns about pregnancy, childbirth, or child-rearing, consult your municipality's maternal and child health / childcare consultation counter.

What you can check next

• Maternal and Child Health Handbook, prenatal checkups, and childbirth costs
• When your baby is born
• Health insurance in Japan
• Seeing a doctor in a foreign language

Main places to check

• Children and Families Agency
• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
• Your municipality

Last checked: August 2026