To all women in their 8th month of pregnancy

You may want to think about various situations in which labor might start, and find out different ways to get to your birthing facility. Taxi fares to get to and from there are partially covered by the Maternity Taxi Subsidy Scheme. 
 

You should ask your birthing facility what to bring for labor and giving birth. 
You may want to talk with your family about what baby items to prepare for your newborn baby and have them ready. There are some rental services for some baby equipment.
 

Have you requested coupons that can be used outside Ibaraki Prefecture for antenatal check-ups, postnatal check-ups, and newborn hearing screening test,One month checkup?

Please make sure to request coupons one month before you visit your birthing facility.

Please refer to the official website 
of Tsukuba City for details 
including procedures ▶
 

Register a birth
Please register your baby within 14 days including the date of birth. You can register your baby at a municipal government office where you or your spouse is registered as resident. You can also register at the municipal office of your baby's birth place. 
 

Child allowance
Application for the child allowance must be made within 15 days of the day after your baby's date of birth. 

Please refer to the Parenting Navigation[Pregnancy/Childbirth] for details.▶

 

In Tsukuba City, a midwife, public health nurse, or nurse will visit all families with new born babies before they reach 4 months of age. 

After giving birth, please complete a Health Service Registration Form. 
If you wish to have a newborn home visit service at a place other than your registered, please consult the health center in charge.

[Parenting Support Benefit]
The newborn home visit also serves as an interview with caregivers, which is one of the required conditions for receiving the Parenting Support Benefit.

We will inform you about the application method etc. when the newborn home visit.

Q.My stomach is getting bigger. While it is amazing to feel my baby moving, I am concerned because I now have problems such as constipation and back pain.
 

A.The discomforts associated with the pregnancy are called minor disorders. Some of these discomforts can be controlled with medication or improved by appropriate treatment. You don’t have to put up with discomforts and ask your doctor or midwife for advise. Your body changes during pregnancy and these physical changes can be upsetting. However, we hope that you manage these changes and enjoy the growth of your baby. 

Q.I am worried about labor. Is there anything I should do to prepare?

A.The more worried and nervous you are, the more intense the pain can be. Think about the process of childbirth and find ways and things that might help you to relax. Some birthing facilities may ask you to create a birth plan. Talking to your doctor or midwife about your preferences and wishes during labor can help reduce your anxiety. Childbirth does not always begin with contractions. Your water may break or you may have vaginal bleeding before labor. It is reassuring to ask your birthing facility and to know when to go to the facility for labor and other signs.

Q.What is water breaking? 

A.If your waters break before labor starts, this is called premature rupture of the membranes (or PROM). You may feel a slow trickle of water you cannot control. If this happens to you, you should apply a sanitary pad, do not move around and contact your birthing facility at once. You should avoid taking a bath or shower to prevent infection. 

Q.What is a "show"?

A.A show is a sign that your body is preparing for labor. It looks like vaginal discharge containing blood. Vaginal bleeding may be observed temporarily after a pelvic examination. 

Q. What baby items should I get ready? 

A.You may feel overwhelmed by too many choices of baby items. Not all items are essential for your baby and some items may be given as gifts or hand-me-downs. A lot of these items can actually be prepared after birth. You may want to prepare baby items for the first month and then buy other essentials as needed. Think about who needs what and when, and prepare your home for your baby's arrival.
It is recommended that you do this by the 34th week of pregnancy when your condition is stable and you can move around easily.