What is it really like to navigate pregnancy in Japan?

In this first episode of my Japan pregnancy series, I share my personal experience with the Japanese prenatal care system—from the first positive pregnancy test to completing my check-ups at 35 weeks.

Along the way, I explain how the system works, what surprised me, and some of the cultural differences I noticed.

In this episode, we cover:

• Registering your pregnancy and receiving the Boshi Techo (Maternal & Child Health Handbook)

• The maternity mark and public transport culture

• Financial support, coupons, and birth allowances

• How prenatal check-ups are structured in Japan

• Frequent ultrasounds and routine screenings

• Weight management and nutrition advice

• Language barriers and navigating appointments as a forei ...