We provide a wide range of obstetric and gynecologic services.
Pregnancy Related
Pregnancy Care and Birthing Options
You may already be thinking about how you want to be cared for during your pregnancy and where you would like to have your baby.
Your choices may be limited by where you live and the options available in your community. Alternatively, there may be too many options, making it difficult to make a decision. The various arrangements necessary for prenatal care can be quite complex. For example, while it is sometimes possible to have a private obstetrician in a hospital, most hospitals do not allow you to choose a specific obstetrician to attend your labor. It can also be difficult to understand the costs of various care options. We assist you so that you can understand all your choices and options as well as the costs associated with them.
Total Private Care with a Multi-lingual Obstetrician
At the International Unit, you can choose your obstetrician. If you choose to be a private patient with one of our doctors, that obstetrician will be responsible for your pre and postnatal care. You will visit him/her for regular prenatal checkups here, and he/she will refer you to Aiiku hospital childbirth at one of our affiliated hospitals.
Advantages of using a private obstetrician include:
- The doctor of your choice will provide your care throughout pregnancy, and the postnatal period.
- You know your doctor well, and your doctor will know you well too.
Birthing Options
If you plan to have your baby outside Japan, you may stay with us for routine prenatal care until the day of your departure. We will prepare all your medical records in English for your convenience.
If you choose not to have a private obstetrician, we recommend that you register for shared maternity care. You will see the same obstetrician at the International Unit for your pregnancy care up to 35th week or so. You will have to register with a hospital in advance. Together, the hospital and your doctor will provide your prenatal care.
Doula
The word doula is a Greek word meaning women's servant. Women serve others in childbirth and have proven that support from another woman has a positive impact on the labor process. A doula assists a woman as well as her spouse and family before, during, or after childbirth by providing physical assistance and emotional support.
Our affiliated doulas (Enlgish-speaking):
- Celia Hughes
- Stephanie Kawai
At Aiiku Hospital, doulas are available for Dr. Sakamoto’s private patients only. Fees associated with the doula service are not covered by Japanese national insurance.
For details, please contact the International Unit.
Prenatal Screenings
Aiiku Clinic offers Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) for pregnant women who meet certain criteria. International Unit coordinates the entire NIPT process, including interpretation for the mandatory genetic counseling, for couples who need assistance in English.
An intake with an International Unit nurse/midwife and a deposit payment are required to reserve your NIPT session. Please call the International Unit to make an appointment with a nurse/midwife for an NIPT intake. Because genetic counseling slots are very limited, we recommend that you make your appointment before the 10 th week of your pregnancy. If you are not a patient of the International Unit or Aiiku Clinic, you must meet with Dr. Sakamoto for a consultation/check-up before your NIPT.
＊If both you and your partner are fluent in Japanese and wish to take the NIPT directly through Aiiku Clinic, please see the website below:
Midwifery Services
Our midwives are certified nurse-midwives and registered nurses with extra education and training to take care of pregnant women and deliver babies.?Prenatal care and breastfeeding counseling by midwives are available in the clinic.
Child Birth Education
The International Unit offers a online birth education class, taught by midwives. This one time 2-2.5 hour class is designed for women or couples to help them understand labor and birth. The lectures will help you make confident and informed decisions for labor and birth. This course is recommended at around 35 weeks of gestation. The number of attendants is limited in order to keep a private and friendly atmosphere.
Please contact us for class schedules.
Fee: 5,000 yen/couple
Registration is required.
Registration can be done through International Unit reception.
Postnatal Care Home Visit
Our midwives provide home visits to help you at home after birth. They will check your baby’s weight gain, nutritional conditions, jaundice, etc. and discuss with you any questions you have about newborn care and parenting.
Our midwives can do your baby’s heel-prick test and vitamin K2 administration if you must leave the hospital early and miss these important routines. Otoacoustic emission (OAE) hearing screening test is also available upon request.
The midwives will also check your body at every visit and discuss any concerns you may have. If necessary, she can set up an immediate appointment with a doctor.
There is a 10,000 yen/hour/visit charge plus additional fees depending on the services you receive.
In order to arrange a home visit, please send an email to the address below after your childbirth:
midwifehomevisit@gmail.com
Please include your name, home address, phone number, and date of childbirth.
A midwife will contact you as soon as possible.
Please note that this service is exclusive to women who delivered with Dr. Sakamoto.
Tour of Aiiku Hospital
Aiiku Hospital affiliated with Aiiku Clinic. Most patients go to Aiiku Hospital for their childbirth. We offer a online hospital tour every month for patients who would like to see the hospital before delivery.
English tour is available exclusively for Dr. Sakamoto’s patients. The tour takes place twice a month, mostly on Saturday afternoon.
By reservation only. Please make your reservation at the International Unit.
Fee: 2,000 yen/couple