During pregnancy, you are advised to take ample nutrition and rest, and undergo regular health check-ups.
You are entitled to have typically two occasions of free check-ups at medical institutions in the prefecture you live in. To receive this service, please use the application card for the check-ups, which is handed to you at the time you receive your Maternal and Child Health Handbook.
Normally, no interpreter service is available at medical institutions. When you need it, you are asked to come with someone who understands Japanese.

Each municipality arranges a midwife or public-health nurse to visit the households of pregnant residents to help them learn about lifestyle during pregnancy, preparation for birth and other aspects, taking a case by case approach. For further details, please contact your local municipal administrative office.
This service is free of charge and offered at the request of doctors, as well as of pregnant persons themselves.

For persons who face difficulties in giving birth at their own expenses due to economic reasons, there are opportunities to enroll in public-fund designated midwifery institutions to give birth there. To apply for this service, applicants are required to visit the municipal administrative office at the latest at the fifth or sixth month of their pregnancy.

Each municipality holds classes to offer daily knowledge and skills related to pregnancy, birth and childcare.
Eligible participants are pregnant residents and their families. Participation is free of charge.