14 Articles You Should Read If You Are Pregnant In Japan

How much does it cost to give birth in Japan? How to find the right hospital? And where the heck do I find new mom friends in this huge city? We answer it all here.

Congratulations and welcome to a new chapter of your life: Pregnant in Japan. While finding that you’re pregnant away from your country can be a daunting experience, don’t worry — in Japan’s it’s all about finding the right information and asking the right people.

Here we have compiled a list of 12 articles answering different questions about how to thrive pre-motherhood in Japan — from the financial side of giving birth and actual birth experiences, to maternity fashion styles, staying fit during pregnancy, and finding new mama friends. 

1. Pregnancy in Japan

A step-by-step guide to everything you need to know about being pregnant in Japan. Covering explanations of Japanese pregnancy documents, tips for check-up appointments and maternity leave notifications, this article gives you the basics of what to do and where to go after you’ve seen the two lines on your pregnancy test. 

2. Pregnancy in Japan: Birth Experiences

Learn first-hand about giving birth in Japan through the personal stories of several Tokyo moms. From delivering a baby in a tatami room, having an emergency C-section, and going through 30-hour labor, these moms share their personal experience, assuring you that Japan is a safe place to welcome your baby.

3. Counting The Yen: Cost Of Giving Birth In Japan

With the clock ticking and your belly growing, it’s time to start counting the money in your bank account. This article offers an in-depth look into the average cost of giving birth in Japan, including basic hospital birth, private room fees minor complications and more, while it also gives you an insight of what to expect as a return from the Japanese government — like health insurance benefits.  

4. About Tokyo Mothers Group

With over 2,000 members, the Tokyo Mothers Group is the perfect English speaking support circle and information sharing a resource for young mothers and families. Featuring parenting workshops/mentor programs and casual get-togethers, you can learn a lot about being a new mom and make friends with fellow parents. 

5. Pointers For Choosing A Birth Facility In Japan

How do you choose the place to give birth to your baby? Is a regular hospital the best choice? Including an introduction to different birth options, useful Japanese phrases and financial costs, this article is the one-stop resource for new moms in the country.

6. Things to Do in Tokyo Before Your Baby Arrives

As long as your pregnancy may feel, many moms will tell you that it’s going to pass by so quickly before you actually hold your baby in your hands. So before your baby arrives, here are a few recommended things to do to enjoy and record your pre-birth experience in a Japanese way. 

7. Five Places to Make Mom Friends in Japan

Joining a social network is not the only way to make new friends as a mom. This article proves that you can make mom friends at some very unique places, including the vaccination center! With a few useful mommy-friendly Japanese phrases, you are on your way to making some long-lasting friendships during this new stage of your life.

8. Prenatal Classes in Japan

You know that attending a prenatal class is a truly valuable experience and that you will learn a lot, especially if this is your first child and you feel already lost. But you’re still not sure what exactly you can expect or even more so, how to sign up for one. Author and veteran mama Rosie Blakely guides you into what to expect based on her own personal experience.

9. Staying Fit During Pregnancy with Prenatal Yoga

Worried about your post-partum body? No fuss, prenatal yoga makes it easier for you to bounce back to your healthy body in no time. Of course, that is not the only reason to exercise during pregnancy. Check out the article for more health and fitness benefits about prenatal yoga.

10. Rooibos Tea: The Miracle Drink That Boosts Your Health

As exciting pregnancy can be for a new mom, it can also bring unwanted aches, body fatigue and sleepless nights. Originated from South Africa, Rooibos Tea is scientifically proven to help with mineral absorption and relaxation and is one of the favorite drinks of many moms-to-be. Read on to find out why. 

11. Style for New Mamas

So now that your favorite jeans and dresses no longer fit, it’s time to find something new. Experiment with different styles at various stages of pregnancy. Who says pregnant moms can only wear regular maternity clothes?

12. Babysitting Services in Japan

You will start needing these services immediately after your precious one is born—be it for work, other obligations or just some time off for yourself. So it’s recommended to familiarize yourself with what options you have in advance. This article includes a list of the best bilingual babysitting services in Japan.

13. Baby Products for Emergencies

It’s a fact of living in Japan that we need to be prepared for natural disasters, and that includes stocking up on the right products in case of blackouts, panic buying or other disruption in the event of an emergency. This will help give you peace of mind and ensure you’re ready for any eventuality.

14. Fitness During Pregnancy and Beyond 

One mom offers her tips on exercise for pregnant women and new mothers, and also give us a sneak peek of a class with the community workout group Mom in Balance. You’ll have all your pregnancy fitness questions answered here.

Want us to cover other birth and child-rearing topics? Leave us a comment!