The Japanese government assists municipalities and hospitals to provide free courses for pregnant women and parents to ensure that the pregnancy goes smoothly and without problems
In these courses are offered activities before and after birth such as:
- Practical lessons on bathing the baby
- The nutrition needed from pregnancy to child rearing
- Oral hygiene, etc.
In the mother’s course classroom, midwives and doctors will teach you what to look for during pregnancy, the basic care of pregnancy and childbirth Depending on the hospital, a nutritionist may be consulted. In the classes there’s also time for pregnant women to talk to each other in order to exchange information.
Father classes have a fixed number of students, so advance reservations and registration are necessary.
The events sponsored by the municipality are held in health centers (health clinics), public halls, and municipal facilities.
If performed by the maternity ward, it will be done directly at the hospital. If it’s sponsored by a company, it can be done in a store or departments, and nowadays it can be done online.
Classes for mothers are often held during the day, on weekdays and Saturdays. The time required is usually around 2 hours, including reception time. Participation is not mandatory. However, it’s a good opportunity to learn more about the changes in the body during pregnancy, nutrition and babies.
During the learning process, future moms will be able to get a more accurate picture of childbirth and child rearing.
Customs and ways of thinking when it comes to raising children vary according to the country of origin, the region, and the religion of each person. This is respected in Japan, however, as far as possible, it is recommended to adopt the Japanese way of raising and educating children.
See what the Mother’s and Child’s Health Handbook looks like: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11900000/000765710.pdf
