I recently found out that I’m pregnant, and I’m feeling really conflicted about whether I should give birth in Japan or in the U.S. Both options have pros and cons, and I’m struggling to figure out what’s best.
The biggest concern with giving birth in Japan is my limited Japanese ability. Right now it’s manageable because my husband is here, but he’ll be going back to the U.S. for work. Without him, I’m really worried about what would happen if something serious came up—I’m not confident I’d be able to fully understand everything or make informed decisions on my own.
The main reason I’m considering staying in Japan is because I already live here and have some support—my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. If I go back to the U.S., not only would it likely be more expensive, but I’d also be completely alone taking care of a newborn while my husband is away for work. It honestly feels like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I’ve seen that some clinics and hospitals offer English support, but I’m a bit skeptical. In my experience, “English support” can sometimes be pretty limited.
Has anyone been in a similar situation and had a positive experience? I’d really appreciate any advice, insights, or recommendations. Thank you!
by Working-Morning-3645
36 comments
Pro of giving birth in Japan would be that you can give birth tax-free!
Your husband won’t be present while you’re giving birth? Will your in laws be able to help you translate?
Are you a japanese citizen or resident enrolled in the national healthcare service? Do you have health insurance in America? These are the two questions you need to answer because if it’s no to both then the answer is probably Japan and if it’s a yes to one and not the other than you’ll want to choose the one that the answer is yes.
Because you are so unsure, I am going to assume you are a first-time mother.
Congratulations =)
Some thoughts:
When you say go back to the US, do you mean permanently?
If not, when do you plan to come back to Japan?
If you are going to raise your child in Japan, it’s not just the birth process, but you will have to learn a lot of things differently to the US. (and maybe “forget” some things you learnt in the US)
You’ll have to learn how to talk to doctors and family about your baby, and your post-natal health. It’s not just language, but concepts and culture. At least if you are in Japan, you learn how to do that as part of the process, rather than getting a culture shock on return.
If you have your female in-laws’ support and experience in Japan, but nothing in the USA, is it not a bigger benefit than the current language barrier issue?
You’ll have to be the judge of that one, but I think it hinges on this assessment.
Of course, it’s your and your child’s health, so I understand why you’re worried, but don’t forget that the people around you will all be trying to help you, not punish you for a language issue, and you will have some time to read up in the next few months.
If you don’t speak Japanese it will suck. But at least it’s basically free to give birth in Japan. Even with insuurance in the US it will be costly.
Most importantly, give birth where you have the most support. I’m just a father but it was not easy on my wife. Especially at the hospital and she is Japanese. Then again at home the lack of sleep took it’s toll. You need help.
I know that it’s affordable here. There are also some great hospitals in Kyoto city. Perhaps it depends on where in the U.S. you’d be going back to.
Tokyo Medical and Surgery Clinic has English speaking doctors. I know it’s far from Kyoto, but giving you the info in case it helps. Perhaps you can even call and ask if they have resources for you in Kyoto. They answer the phone in English.
You probably need to join a fb /whatsapp/ or equivalent “due date” group for expats in your area. They can probably inform you what’s available with English speaking support in your area. Also if $$ is available to get a nanny or mothers helper especifica you husband is away a lot. I hope your in-laws are lovely and can support you too.
Congratulations. Try looking for the Kyoto chapter of AFWJ (association of foreign wives of Japanese) you will find much support and advice there.
This might be a long shot but Kyoto is a big city, maybe look for an English speaking doula?
If you’re looking for a good hospital to give birth, I highly recommend Nakabe Ladies’ clinic in Mukaijima. My wife had a great experience there.
I gave birth in Kyoto, twice! I highly recommend Kyoto University hospital, department is brand new, doctors are highly skilled and can speak good English! I had my own room (which is not covered by insurance but in the end it was completely free because the cost of my labor did not exceed amount you get from the city). I got so many cute presents after the baby was born, and they even organize photoshoot, that was so lovely!
Other than that, they specialize in difficult labor so you are in really good hands.
Small random clinics I would not recommend, first because doctors are not so experienced and probably cannot speak English! Also the cost goes up but without any good reason, in my opinion.
Not from kyoto but have some insight (hopefully useful) as a foreigner who gave birth in Japan last yr! If u do decide to give birth here, which imo would be a good decision, ure gonna need to register your pregnancy at ur city hall after ur check up! They’ll give u a mom and baby book and hopefully they have an english version! (I’m from a small city but they had an english version.) And in that book, there were some helpful keyword translations of maternity and medical terms that you could probably use to point out what ure feeling etc.
My japanese was pretty useless when i gave birth but thankfully the midwives and doctors were super nice. I used google translate most of the time when my husband wasnt there. At the hospital tho, i stayed for 7 days (it was kinda the norm for it here) and i thought wow so long for me to recover etc HAHA but no, it was more like baby boot camp! They guided us new moms how to baby. Like breastfeed, change diapers, give the baby a bath, etc! I was shookt bc i didnt know what i was in for tbh (FTM also) but yeah. Really good experience imo!! Just like the other comment mentioned, u’ll be entering their way/culture of raising a baby (which for me is pretty good, idk just my opinion) but ya!! And hospital food was good lol!
Sorry my comment’s kinda messy!! But yeah if ever, hopefully you get to find a good hospital/clinic to give birth at! You could go ask your city hall too for advice if ever, they may be able to help you in regards to your language barrier concerns!
We’ve had babies in the USA and Japan. The later is far better for the mother.
Japan. Zero question. Maternal and infant death rates are among the lowest in the world in Japan whereas the USA is not amazing. Then cost…
You live in a major city (Kyoto) which means finding English support in a hospital shouldn’t be too hard. I was in Osaka and my Japanese doctor spoke near fluent English (albeit with a thick German accent as that’s where she studied and also learned English) and when I had appointments with the midwife, I had an excellent staff translator onsite. My Japanese was abysmal! But it was allllll good.
Also fwiw I was pregnant and gave birth during Covid times so my husband wasn’t allowed to be present most of the time for things. I still managed and it was a ok (hooray English support staff!). It wasn’t perfect but it absolutely was worth it to give birth here.
I had a baby in both places and my experience in Japan was FAR better. Please don’t let your limited Japanese sway you. I guarantee you that their English support is phenomenal. Not to mention, your support system is there in country as opposed to coming back to the States. Best of luck to you and your family.
Going back to the US for anything medical is crazy.
I just want to remind you of the existence of mother “hotels” and new mother nannies here!
(I’m sure they exist in the US but probably only for the stinkin rich :p )
If your main concern is support, it might be worth looking into for the first month so that you can recover properly without feeling like anything is being pushed to the side.
Also,jus soli vs jus sanguinis.
The US has both (birthright based off being born in the US and birthright based of having at least one American parent).
Japan (for foreign mothers) has neither unless you are married to a citizen (yay 😭).
All this to say, your baby will get american citizenship no matter what, but it would be leagues easier to also get Japanese citizenship if your baby is born here.
You didn’t mention if the father is Japanese or not but yeah, just something to think about in the ole over there or over here question .
considering you can get US citizen later for your child. I’d say japan, it’s so much more difficult to get citizenship in jp than US.
Gave birth at Baptist Hospital in Kyoto with English support
Give birth wherever you have health insurance
Do you like money Yes= Japan birth , No= USA , for the price you want to pay in the USA you can get an insanely nice 5 star hospital with french course meals as your maternity food. And amazing water birth options and midwives etc etc . And the government will pay a large portion of it .
Please consider a midwife or “josanpu.” We delivered our kids with no Japanese and no understanding of the process. It was all perfect 10/10. No way I would deliver in the U.S. There is a midwife clinic in Katano I can recommend and I know a midwife with perfect English who has delivered hundreds of babies in the area. DM me if you would like advice.
I saw a lot of families at the embassy dealing with the process of birth certificates and such. If you decide to give birth in Japan I recommend researching the required documents and paperwork needed to certify the kids. It didn’t seem like a good time on the parents ends. One traveled 5 hours to only told to come back 2 days later with an adjusted document.
I would stay in Japan. Long run you will not regret it.
Congratulations on your pregnancy.
Will your inlaws be able to help you after giving birth ? Are they also in Kyoto ? I’d say only go to US if you are going to have someone to help you with postpartum , otherwise give birth in Japan and use the money to pay someone to help you a bit in a first month or two. Start making mama friends now , they will make you feel less lonely and help out in your new journey.
stay for the village dude. as a mom w support it is necessary
There. Give your baby a fighting chance in the world by enabling them to have Japanese citizenship as well as US. That way when they’re older they can live in Japan while the US continues to go batshit crazy.
Completely valid concerns. If you can find a good international hospital, though, the level of care is vastly better than what you’ll get back home and (at least in my experience) you’ll have easier access to staff who speak English. I started out at a non international hospital and it was a nightmare with my poor Japanese.
I had a wonderful experience getting surgery in Tokyo. Seriously, it was so nice I’d go back just for fun. My doctor was completely fluent and traveled to the US frequently to give presentations. My nurses didn’t speak English but they cared for me in a way I’ve never been cared for by a stranger. It was like a mother cares for her own child, it was so incredibly sweet. They held my hair and rubbed my back while I puked my brains out. I got a room with a view overlooking the garden, and the food was some of the best I’ve eaten in my life. They kept me in one full week for something that’s an outpatient surgery in the US. Maybe a little long but they’re so rushed to chuck you out in the US because of insurance.
If I’d had surgery in the US, I’d have had a shared room, rude nurses, horrible food and an insane bill.
Not having real painkillers was hard though. If you’re not able to get an epidural, that could be something worth going home for.
Sorry for the novel you’re probably not going to read. If you do, good luck and I hope it’s an easy pregnancy!!
I think, regardless of country you should pick the one where you feel you will have the most support.
I’m not a woman so I don’t know how it feels but after everything was done when my wife was pregnant she told me that having the support she had during pregnancy (me, family, friends) and during her birth (me) was the most important thing. Everyone is different ofc but it sounds to me that you really want/need that (understandably).
So pick where the best support is. If you’re married you can reapply for the visa anyways and from what o understand the child will be Japanese citizen as well as long as you register the birth (someone correct me if I’m wrong).
Here.
Way way cheaper and you can stay in the hospital a week or so.
Considering giving birth in the US cost me $10,000 USD after insurance (before was $88,000) and they just kick you right out of the hospital afterward (and I had complications I considered going back for but didn’t wanna pay more so I risked my life ending to stay home. And I went back to work as soon as I could walk a bit), Imma go with Japan.
If I were you I’d totally stay in Japan. In America they will send home immediately unless there’s complications. A lot of my friends had traumatic births in the US. And at least in Japan your in laws can help you postpartum.
Not in Kyoto, but also a currently pregnant American in Tokyo right now: I debated this but ultimately I’m choosing to give birth in Japan. One of the reasons is cost, because giving birth in Japan is cheaper, convenience, because I’m already here.
My parents are in the U.S., so I would have their support but traveling while pregnant can be a nightmare, and I wouldn’t be able to return to Japan with a new born so soon, so my husband would miss out on a lot of things.
If you won’t have support from your husband or family, make sure you get info about overstay options for local clinics after you give birth. Some clinics offer a service where you go stay for a couple of days and the nurses take care of your baby while you relax at the hospital(kind of like a spa). Tokyo covers 90% of the cost for those services, so might be worth to check if Kyoto has the same.
Well, in Japan it won’t cost you money, you get to stay in the hospital for a week, and they make you a special meal. So there is that.
if you are not Japanese, then giving birth in JApan does not warrant the citizenship. On the other hand, the US gives the right to citizenship on birth. Other than that, in the US, being a citizen by birth against naturalized citizenship, the nuance is different. So, I would recommend to give birth in the US, if it is easily done.
If you spouse is Japanese citizen, then please ensure that after giving birth, you register your child with the Japanese embassy within 3 months to ensure your child’s birth right to the Japanese citizenship. Because, Japan too has been harsh towards foreigners and even if you are naturalized, the citizen by birth holds strong grounds.
All in all, give birth in the US and register with the Japanese embassy would shield your child from all sorts of future troubles.
All the best
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