Japanese for Pregnancy and Childbirth in Japan

Pregnancy in Japan involves more paperwork and more clinic visits than many people expect, and the vocabulary arrives all at once.

5 min read

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A maternal and child health handbook beside a clinic appointment card
What you need to know

Japanese for Pregnancy and Childbirth in Japan

From the first clinic visit to the paperwork after the birth, having a baby in Japan brings a new set of words and conversations: notifying the city office, receiving the maternal and child health handbook, regular check-ups, arranging the birth, and telling your employer. This guide gives you that Japanese in outline so you can follow explanations and ask questions. It is not medical advice. For anything about your health or your baby's, follow your doctor or midwife, and confirm procedures and support with your city office and health insurer.

The pregnancy notification and the handbook come from your city office

Check-up visits reuse the same small set of words, so they get easier

Know the words for the start of labour and how to call the hospital

Telling your employer early helps you plan leave and procedures

What this guide covers

This is a language guide, not a medical one. Everything about your health and your baby's health should come from your doctor, midwife or hospital, and procedures and support should be confirmed with your city office and health insurer.

What follows is the vocabulary and phrasing that makes those conversations easier to follow and to start.

The notification and the handbook

After a pregnancy is confirmed, you usually submit a pregnancy notification to your city office. In return you receive the maternal and child health handbook and information about subsidised check-ups.

Many municipalities also offer the handbook in other languages. It is worth asking, since you can keep both versions side by side.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
妊娠届ninshin todokePregnancy notification
母子健康手帳boshi kenkō techōMaternal and child health handbook
母子手帳boshi techōThe handbook, everyday name
妊婦健診ninpu kenshinPrenatal check-up
外国語版の母子手帳はありますか。Gaikokugo-ban no boshi techō wa arimasu ka.Is there a version of the handbook in another language?

At the clinic

Check-ups follow a routine, so the same words come back each visit. Bring the handbook every time, and do not hesitate to ask staff to repeat or write down an instruction.

If something feels wrong between visits, call the clinic or hospital and describe it simply. These phrases help you say what is happening.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
産婦人科sanfujinkaObstetrics and gynaecology
予定日yoteibiDue date
つわりがひどいです。Tsuwari ga hidoi desu.My morning sickness is bad.
お腹が張ります。Onaka ga harimasu.My belly feels tight.
少し出血がありました。Sukoshi shukketsu ga arimashita.There was a little bleeding.
もう一度説明していただけますか。Mō ichido setsumei shite itadakemasu ka.Could you explain that again?
通訳をお願いできますか。Tsūyaku o onegai dekimasu ka.Could I have an interpreter?

Arranging the birth

Where and how you give birth is usually arranged well in advance, and popular hospitals can fill up. Some people also choose to return to their family's area for the birth.

The table shows common words you will meet when discussing plans. Your hospital will explain what they offer.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
分娩予約bunben yoyakuBooking the delivery
里帰り出産satogaeri shussanGiving birth near your family home
立ち会い出産tachiai shussanBirth with a partner present
入院nyūinHospital admission
TopicWhat it usually involves
Booking the deliveryReserving a place at a hospital or clinic
Returning home for the birthGiving birth near family, often in another area
Partner present at birthWhether a partner can be in the room
Hospital stayThe number of days before and after the birth

When labour starts

Hospitals usually tell you when to call and what to say. Keep the number and a short script somewhere easy to find, because it is hard to think of words at that moment.

Say what is happening first, then answer their questions.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
陣痛jintsūLabour pains
破水hasuiWaters breaking
陣痛が始まったようです。Jintsū ga hajimatta yō desu.I think labour has started.
破水したかもしれません。Hasui shita kamoshiremasen.I think my waters may have broken.
今から病院に行ってもいいですか。Ima kara byōin ni itte mo ii desu ka.Can I come to the hospital now?
陣痛の間隔は十分くらいです。Jintsū no kankaku wa juppun kurai desu.The contractions are about ten minutes apart.

Telling your employer

When you tell your employer is up to you, but telling your manager and HR in time lets them plan and explain leave procedures. Start with a short announcement and then move to the practical questions.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
ご報告があります。Go-hōkoku ga arimasu.I have some news to share.
実は妊娠しまして、予定日は三月です。Jitsu wa ninshin shimashite, yoteibi wa sangatsu desu.I am pregnant, and my due date is in March.
体調を見ながら働きたいと思っています。Taichō o minagara hatarakitai to omotte imasu.I would like to keep working while watching how I feel.
産休と育休の手続きについて相談させてください。Sankyū to ikukyū no tetsuzuki ni tsuite sōdan sasete kudasai.I would like to ask about maternity and childcare leave procedures.

Paperwork after the birth

After the birth there are several procedures, such as registering the birth and applying for allowances and child benefits. Deadlines and requirements vary, so ask your city office and health insurer what applies.

Rehearsing these conversations helps when you are tired and short on time. A short roleplay with your AI Sensei in Unihongo's 3D classroom playing a city office clerk lets you practise asking which procedures you need.

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
出生届shusshō todokeBirth registration
出産育児一時金shussan ikuji ichijikinLump-sum childbirth allowance
児童手当jidō teateChild benefit
どんな手続きが必要ですか。Donna tetsuzuki ga hitsuyō desu ka.What procedures do I need?
Key points

A practical way to improve

Write down the three sentences you most want to be able to say at the clinic and practise them aloud until they are automatic. The Describe Symptoms at a Clinic roleplay mission in Unihongo is a good place to rehearse explaining how you feel and understanding the questions a clinic asks.

  1. 1

    Choose one clear goal

    Focus each session on a situation or skill you can actually use.

  2. 2

    Practice actively

    Say complete answers aloud instead of only reading or recognizing Japanese.

  3. 3

    Review and repeat

    Keep useful corrections and revisit the same skill until it feels natural.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the boshi techō?

It is the maternal and child health handbook, formally boshi kenkō techō, usually issued by your city office after you submit a pregnancy notification. It records check-ups and your child's health, and many municipalities also offer versions in other languages.

Can I get an interpreter at the hospital?

Some hospitals and municipalities offer interpretation support or multilingual materials, but availability varies. Ask the hospital and your city office early, and it is fine to bring someone who can help.

When should I tell my employer?

That is your decision, but telling your manager in time to plan leave and adjust work is helpful. HR can explain maternity and childcare leave procedures at your company.

Where do I ask about childbirth allowances?

Ask your health insurer and your city office. They can explain the lump-sum childbirth allowance, child benefits and other support, and what applies to you.

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