When You find out that You are pregnant
If your period is late or you have received a positive result on a pregnancy test, please visit an obstetrics and gynecology clinic as soon as possible. From around the 5th week of pregnancy, pregnancy can be confirmed by ultrasound examination, and from around the 6th week, the baby’s image (fetal image) can be seen. Once it is confirmed that the pregnancy is developing normally inside the uterus, you can first feel reassured. However, in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, sudden severe abdominal pain or massive bleeding inside the abdomen may occur, so early detection is important. Please make sure to receive an examination at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic.
For Those Considering Giving Birth at Our Hospital
Childbirth is an important milestone in welcoming a new life, and it is essential to prepare both mentally and physically throughout pregnancy. Our obstetrics staff provide attentive support through every stage, from prenatal outpatient checkups to delivery, as well as postpartum checkups at 2 weeks and 1 month after birth. Depending on your needs, you may also use services such as home visits for mothers and babies, breastfeeding outpatient services, and parenting support groups. To help ensure a comfortable childbirth experience, all of our staff will work together to support you and your family.
About the Maternal and Child Health Handbook
Once the continuation of the pregnancy has been confirmed, procedures will be carried out for you to receive the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. The handbook is issued at the health center of your local municipality or ward office. At our hospital, once your expected delivery date has been confirmed, we will provide guidance regarding the issuance of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook, so please feel at ease.
Regular Prenatal Checkups
| Up to 23 weeks of pregnancy |
once every 4 weeks |
| From 24 to 35 weeks of pregnancy |
once every 2 weeks |
| From 36 weeks onward |
once every week |
As a general hospital with a wide range of medical departments, we are able to provide care for patients with other medical conditions (such as internal medicine, surgery, ENT, and ophthalmology).
Prenatal check-ups at 26, 30, 34, 37, and 39 weeks of pregnancy will be conducted by midwives and include health guidance. (A doctor’s examination will be provided if necessary.)
Clothing for Hospital Visits
When coming for prenatal checkups, please wear “comfortable and loose-fitting clothes that are easy to change in and out of.”
During checkups, you may need to expose your abdomen for ultrasound examinations or remove footwear for internal examinations, so being able to change smoothly is important.
Recommended Clothing for Prenatal Checkups
- Separate tops and bottoms：Convenient because you do not need to remove all your clothing during abdominal ultrasounds or internal examinations.
- Skirts : Convenient for internal examinations, as you only need to remove your underwear.
- Clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up easily : Helpful for smooth blood pressure checks and blood sampling performed at every visit.
- Shoes that are easy to take on and off : Since there are many occasions when shoes need to be removed, such as during weight measurements, slip-on shoes or low-heeled shoes are recommended.
- Socks : Socks are more convenient because tights or stockings take more time to remove and put back on.
Clothing Best Avoided for Checkups
- Dresses and salopettes : If an internal examination is required, you will need to remove everything, which can be inconvenient.
- Tight-fitting clothes such as skinny pants : These are difficult to put on and take off and may also put pressure on the abdomen.
- Clothing with many buttons : Changing clothes takes more time and can become stressful.
- During early pregnancy when internal examinations are more frequent, skirts may be more convenient, while from mid-pregnancy onward, when abdominal ultrasounds become more common, separate tops and bottoms may be preferable. It is a good idea to adjust your clothing according to the type of checkup.
- If you are sensitive to cold, please prepare with easy-to-remove outerwear or leg warmers.
Schedule Until Delivery
| First VisitUntil the Maternal and Child Health Handbook is issued, consultations will take place at the Ladies’ Center. |
- Medical interview, internal examination, transvaginal ultrasound examination.
- Ultrasound Examination (CRL: Crown-Rump Length Measurement) Determination of gestational age and expected delivery date based on the last menstrual period.
- At the first visit, we will ask about your preferred delivery facility.
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| After Issuance of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook – Up to 23 Weeks of PregnancyAfter the Maternal and Child Health Handbook is issued, consultations will take place at the Perinatal Maternal and Child Medical Center. |
- Prenatal checkups will be conducted once every 4 weeks.
- First health guidance session.
- Blood tests and cancer screening.
- Ultrasound examination.
- At the second prenatal checkup, procedures such as delivery reservation, hospitalization arrangements, purchase of a memorial book, and registration for the obstetric medical compensation system will be completed.
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| 24 to 35 Weeks of Pregnancy |
- Prenatal checkups will be conducted once every 2 weeks.
- Ultrasound examination.
- Screening tests for gestational diabetes will be performed as appropriate.
- Mid-pregnancy blood tests and chlamydia testing.
- Around 24–26 weeks, there will be a detailed ultrasound examination for fetal screening (30-minute appointment).
- Around 24 weeks and 32 weeks, the second and third health guidance sessions will be conducted.
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| From 36 Weeks of Pregnancy Onward |
- Prenatal checkups will be conducted once every week.
- Ultrasound examination.
- Internal examination and vaginal discharge testing.
- Late-pregnancy blood tests.
- Non-stress test (NST).
(Performed at every visit after 36 weeks. The test takes approximately 30–40 minutes.)
- Around 37 weeks, the fourth health guidance session will be conducted.
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About Reservations and Fees
Prenatal checkup fees are self-paid; however, subsidy vouchers issued by your local municipality may be used. Since the subsidy amount differs depending on the municipality, any remaining balance must be paid by the patient. Please note that if you live in a municipality that does not have a contract with our hospital, subsidy vouchers cannot be used. In such cases, you will need to pay the full amount first and later apply for reimbursement through your local municipality yourself. At our hospital, Osaka City subsidy vouchers are accepted. For further details, please feel free to contact the reception desk of the Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic.
Fetal Ultrasound Examination
At our hospital, in addition to standard 2D ultrasound examinations, we also offer 3D/4D ultrasound imaging for those who wish to have it. 3D ultrasound captures three-dimensional still images of the baby, allowing you to see a single moment in detail. In contrast, 4D ultrasound adds the element of “time” to three-dimensional images, making it possible to observe the baby in real time, such as opening their mouth or moving their hands. In addition, under certain conditions, family members may also accompany the patient during the fetal ultrasound examination.
Important Notes When Undergoing a Fetal Ultrasound Examination
To help prevent the spread of infection within the hospital, please bring and wear your own mask when visiting.
Early Pregnancy (up to around 15 weeks)
During this stage, the uterus is still located deep within the pelvis, so for abdominal ultrasound examinations, it is necessary to have a full bladder. Having urine in the bladder makes it easier to visualize the uterus.
- Hydration：About one hour before the examination, please drink approximately 1–2 glasses of water.
- Avoid using the restroom：Please avoid urinating immediately before the examination and come with a full bladder.
- Clothing：For transvaginal ultrasound examinations, clothing that is easy to change in and out of is recommended.
From Mid-Pregnancy Onward (around 15 weeks and later)
As the uterus rises out of the pelvis, it is no longer necessary to have a full bladder for abdominal ultrasound examinations.
- Clothing：Separate tops and bottoms are recommended so the abdomen can be exposed easily. Please avoid tight-fitting clothing that puts pressure on the abdomen.
- Meals：There are no dietary restrictions for fetal ultrasound examinations themselves; however, if other blood tests are scheduled, please follow the hospital’s instructions.
- Baby’s Position：Depending on the baby’s position and orientation, it may sometimes be difficult to see the face clearly.
We may try to encourage the baby to change position, although this may not always work. In such cases, walking a little between examinations or drinking something may help change the baby’s position.
Obstetric Medical Compensation System
“We hope that every baby will be born healthy and safely...”
This is a shared wish not only for families, but also for the medical institutions that support childbirth. However, medicine has its limitations due to uncertainty, and unexpected situations may sometimes occur.
The Obstetric Medical Compensation System(Japanese) was established to provide compensation and support for babies who develop severe cerebral palsy for certain reasons during childbirth and for their families, while also working toward cause analysis and prevention of recurrence.
As our hospital is a participating medical institution in the Obstetric Medical Compensation System, all patients giving birth at our hospital are eligible to use this system.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Cooperative System (OGCS)
Our hospital participates in the OGCS, a medical cooperation system within Osaka Prefecture designed to respond to emergencies involving pregnant women and female patients. OGCS is a system in which medical institutions cooperate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure that patients can be quickly transferred to appropriate hospitals when specialized treatment or advanced medical care is required. At our hospital, which is affiliated with OGCS, if advanced medical care becomes necessary during pregnancy or childbirth, specialized coordinators will work closely with regional perinatal maternal and child medical centers and related institutions to provide care with the patient’s safety as the highest priority.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with our staff at any time.
