It’s been a while for updating my blog for a while. If anyone was worried about me, thank you for your concern! Actually, for the past few months, I have been preparing for one of the biggest events in my life: pregnancy and childbirth!
This being my second childbirth, each day has been busier than I imagined, with morning sickness and prioritizing my health, leaving little time to sit in front of my PC. Since then, I’ve safely given birth to a healthy baby and am now enjoying a busy yet happy parenting life. (I will share the secret behind why I was able to write this article thoroughly today in the next article!)
Today, I’d like to share about preparing for childbirth in Japan. In particular, when you are hospitalized for childbirth in Japan, the maternity clinics/ hospitals may require you to prepare many items, so I have focused on what to bring with you.
I hope this will be helpful for those planning to raise children in Japan or currently experiencing pregnancy!
Contents
“I’m glad I did it!” List : Preparation for Childbirth
Prepare Your 3 Hospital Bags as Early as Possible
In Japan, it is common for maternity clinics/ hospitals to ask you to prepare for your clinic/hospital stay at least one month before your due date.
- The list of items to bring when hospitalized is posted on hospital websites and similar resources in this format.
http://www.okumuraclinic.or.jp/maternity/hospitalization/hospitalization01/
As you know, once you pass your due date, you never know when you will go into labor, so this is to ensure that you can be admitted to the hospital immediately if you go into labor or your water breaks.
It is also common to prepare the following three types of bags (Labor Bag, Hospital Bag, Discharge Bag) for your hospital stay during childbirth.
Labor bag
In Labor Bag (陣痛バッグ), put your essential valuables, documents, drinks, and items to be used immediately during labor or when your water breaks.
Valuables and documents
- Maternal and Child Health Handbook (Boshi-Techo) 母子手帳
- Health insurance card 健康保険証
- Medical examination card 診察券
- Seal (official seal) 印鑑
- Cash (including small change)
Things to use during labor
- Drinks (pet bottles with straws)
- Towels or handkerchiefs
- Tennis balls or acupressure tools
- Lip balm
- Mobile phone chargers
- Candy, jelly drinks, snacks etc.
- Plastic bags
- Tissue paper (box)
*Put your belongings in one bag that is easy to carry (such as a tote bag or backpack). When labor pains begin, in most cases it is necessary to be prepared to go to the hospital quickly!
*Share the contents of the bag with your partner or family in case you are unable to carry it yourself.
I often shop at below store SWEET MOMMY since giving birth to my first child! They sell lots of cute and fancy clothes for mothers with babies that are stretchy and have nursing openings, so they can be worn for a long time before and after pregnancy.
They also sell “Mother’s Bags” (In Japan, this is what we call a large, multi-functional bag that is useful when going out with a baby), and their backpacks are very popular in Japan.
Hospital bag
In Hospital Bag (入院バッグ), put your clothing, daily necessities, and items to make your hospital stay comfortable from after childbirth until discharge.
Personal items for mothers after childbirth
- 2-3 pairs of pajamas (front opening type)
- 2-3 nursing bras/nursing camisoles
- 2-3 pairs of postpartum panties
- Socks (for cold protection)
- Bath towels/ face towels
- Slippers (non-slip)
- Toiletries set
- Sanitary napkins (several sizes)
- Shampoo/ face and body soap
- Garbage bags/ laundry nets
- Laundry bags that can get dirty
- Pen (there are quite a few documents to fill out)
- Smartphone charger (a long cord is recommended)
- Chopstick or other cutlery
- Cups
- Dish soap
Breastfeeding and childcare items (as needed)
- Breast pads
- Breastfeeding cushion
- Sterile cotton or gauze
*It is easier to check in advance what will be provided by the hospital and what you need to prepare yourself, and then bring only the necessary items.
Discharge bag
In Discharge Bag (退院バッグ) put items necessary for both mothers and babies when discharge.
- One set of baby clothes (for discharge from the hospital)
- Swaddling blanket
- Several diapers (if not provided by the hospital)
- Baby wipes
- Mother’s Clothes for when leaving the hospital
- Child seat (if necessary)
Useful items (not necessary but life changing!)
- Extension cord (In case there is no outlet near the bed)
- Snacks and drinks
- Eco bag (for when you go to the shower)
- Mist Face Lotion (for quick moisture replenishment)
- Basic cosmetics
Check the List of Procedures to Be Completed after Giving Birth in Advance
After giving birth, things can get very hectic, so it is a good idea to compile a list of necessary procedures, such as birth registration and child allowance, in advance and share it with your partner. It is also recommended to prepare the documents to be submitted to the government office in advance, as this can often be done ahead of time!
Note: This information is current as of August 2025, so it may not be the latest. Please check the current situation for yourself just to be sure!
✅ Procedures to be completed within 14 days of birth
Submission of birth notification
To Where: Municipal office Within 14 days of birth.
*Maternal and child health handbook and birth certificate required
Enrollment in health insurance
To Where: Workplace or municipal office
*Procedures for adding dependents. It may take some time for the insurance card to arrive.
Application for medical expense subsidies for infants and young children
To where: Municipal office Medical expense subsidy system.
*Insurance card may be required
✅ Procedures to be completed within 1 month of birth
Applying for Child Allowance
By Whom: Municipal Office
*Within 15 days of the child’s birth. Apply early to receive the full amount.
Applying for Childbirth and Child-Rearing Temporary Allowance
By Whom: Workplace or Health Insurance Office
*Application is required if you are not using the direct payment system.
✅ Procedures for parental leave and working parents (company employees, civil servants, etc.)
Application for childcare leave benefits
By Whom: Employer (via Hello Work)
*In many cases, the company will apply on your behalf.
Application for exemption from social insurance premiums
By Whom: Via employer
*Health insurance and welfare pension premiums are exempted during childcare leave
✅ Other preparations and optional procedures
Opening a bank account in your child’s name
To where: Each bank
*Convenient for celebration money and future savings
Applying for life and medical insurance benefits
To Where: Insurance company
*May be eligible for maternity benefits or hospitalization benefits
Applying for a My Number Card of your baby (optional)
To Where: Online or city hall
*Convenient for future identity verification. Notification cards are sent automatically.
Confirming the vaccination schedule
To where: Information provided in the maternity health record book
*Starts at 2 months old. Reservations may be required in some cases.
Stock up on Delivered Meals and Frozen Foods
After leaving the hospital, you won’t even have time to go shopping, let alone stand in the kitchen… It was really helpful that I stocked up on frozen side dishes and retort pouch foods before giving birth.
I used Oisix, Net Super, and MUJI’s retort pouch food a lot.
It’s also a good idea to research several delivered meal services!
Items That Were Useful During Pregnancy ~My top 5~
I would like to share the items that I truly found useful when preparing for childbirth, as well as the preparations that I am glad I made.
During pregnancy, your body and mood can vary greatly from day to day. Here are the items that saved me during that time.
Pregnancy Pillow (Maternity Pillow)
Especially in the later stages of pregnancy, when your belly gets heavy and makes it hard to sleep, a pregnancy pillow is a must-have! It made it easier to sleep on my side and reduced the strain on my lower back and hips.
I chose a 2-in-1 type that can also be used as a nursing pillow after childbirth. 😊
Pregnancy Belt (Maternity Belt)
Supporting my belly significantly reduced lower back pain. The belt also helped alleviate hip and lower back pain.
Recommended Foods for Morning Sickness
During morning sickness, there are really limited foods you can eat. For me, carbonated water and sour foods were a lifesaver. Umeboshi (Ume apricot pickles) with extremely high salt content into tea was the tastiest option even during morning sickness. You might want to give it a try!
Maternity Leggings & Dresses
Clothes that don’t constrict the abdomen are essential! Maternity-specific leggings are flexible enough to accommodate changes in body shape, so I had three pairs. Additionally, many Japanese maternity hospitals recommend preparing three or so front-opening dresses to wear as pajamas during hospitalization. When considering purchasing maternity clothing, please take this into account.
Apps (for managing pregnancy weeks and tracking baby’s growth)
Pregnancy apps are convenient for checking baby’s growth. Those that allow you to record your health condition and manage checkup schedules are also handy. Many are free to use, which is a nice bonus. I and my husband used “Luna Luna”.
During postpartum checkups like the one-week and one-month visits, midwives often ask about breastfeeding intervals and baby’s health. Managing this information in an app makes it easy to explain by simply showing the screen, so I recommend it.
Final Note
Pregnancy and childbirth are truly unique to each individual, and I don’t think there is a right answer. However, by preparing items that will make your mind and body feel more comfortable, even if only a little, I think it will help ease your anxiety about giving birth in a foreign country.
I hope my experience will be helpful to someone who is about to become a mother. 🌿
If I have the opportunity, I would also like to write an article about “taking maternity leave in Japan” and “postpartum care services”!
See you again in the next update. 🍼