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Home Pregnancy Tests

pregnancy and prenancy tests in Japan Being pregnant and having a baby in a foreign country can sometimes be a frustrating process. There are many cultural and procedural differences in maternity care between Japan and other countries. In this month's issue, I discuss maternity life in Japan.

If you think you have become pregnant, there are convenient home pregnancy tests that will let you find out for sure. The home pregnancy tests ( ninshin-hantei-yaku) are available at almost any drugstore. A 2-test pack costs around 1,000 yen.

What actually happens?

The tests measure the presence of a hormone in your urine, called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced by the placenta when a fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus. The amount of hCG in a pregnant woman increases with time, meaning the earlier you take the test after a missed period, the harder it is to spot the hCG. Waiting one week or longer after a missed period will usually give a more accurate result. After you open the test kit, carefully read the instructions. Be sure to look for any special pre-test preparations that may be required. Do not drink excessive amounts of fluid in an attempt to increase the volume of urine. This can dilute the urine, making hCG harder to detect. If you are taking medication, including fertility drugs, read the instructions before testing to see if your medication will affect the results.

midstream urine sample

If your home test requires a "midstream" urine sample, urinate a small amount first and then hold the dipstick in your urine stream as you finish urinating.

If the test shows a negative result, wait another few days or a week and try again if your period has still not come. For the best results, try taking the test first thing in the morning, when your urine is most concentrated.

At the first visit, your doctor will confirm your pregnancy with several tests. The urine test at the doctor's office is virtually identical to the urine test you find in any home pregnancy test kit. A blood test will also be conducted to confirm your pregnancy and check if you have any diseases. The most uncomfortable test is the pelvic examination. This test, however, is very important, so keep these tips in mind as you prepare yourself for it.

When you have the exam, you will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist down. In Japan it is a standard procedure to wear your regular clothes and remove whatever is necessary for the examination.

You will be told to lie down and put your feet up into a special device that holds your legs in position for the examination. I understand most women find this procedure very uncomfortable, but it's not especially painful.

The speculum will be inserted into your vaginal opening so that the doctor can feel for the pregnancy and also tell if there is anything wrong that would require further testing. If you have not had a pap smear done in recent years, your doctor will likely conduct one during the exam.

The most noticeable difference about the procedure conducted in Japan is the "curtain" around your abdomen. In Japan there is a curtain that separates you and the doctor during a pelvic examination. This curtain hides the doctor's face and makes most Japanese women feel more comfortable. This may, however, be an unusual custom for many western women, so just ask your doctor to take the curtain off if you feel uncomfortable.

You should try to relax because being tense makes the experience more unpleasant. Take a deep breath and then exhale normally, do not tense your stomach muscles or tighten your legs.

If the experience is VERY painful, you should tell your doctor. Don't kick him even if he sits in a perfect place to be kicked.

Once it is confirmed that you are pregnant and on your way to having a healthy baby, the doctors will determine the expected date of the baby's birth.

Taking a CRL with ultrasound, which measures the length from the top of the head to the buttocks of the fetus, is how they can determine what week of pregnancy you are in. Almost all fetuses have similar CRL measurements between 8 and 10 weeks making this the best tine to take the measurements.

When you talk about the duration of a pregnancy with Japanese people, you may be confused with the description. Western people say that a baby is born in "9 months," which is equal to "10 months" in Japan. Here, in Japan, a month means exactly 4 weeks, so the "10 months" is equal to 40 weeks. To avoid misunderstanding, you should use "weeks" instead of "months."

The total cost for the first visit will be between 9,000 yen and 15,000 yen, including an ultrasound scan and routine blood tests. Do not forget that the visit is NOT covered by your health insurance. The fee differs according to clinic and tests conducted on the first visit, so confirm with your clinic how much you will be charged.

Your doctor will give you a Pregnancy Notification ( ninshin-todoke). Take this and your alien registration card to the health center and register your pregnancy. The center will give you a Maternity and Child Health Handbook ( boshi-kenko-techo), in which the course of your pregnancy and childbirth, as well as your baby's physical examinations and immunizations will be recorded. You will also receive a booklet filled with more information and a voucher for a free pregnancy check-up. Be sure to take the handbook to each prenatal care visit.

If your home test requires a "midstream" urine sample, urinate a small amount first and then hold the dipstick in your urine stream as you finish urinating.

If the test shows a negative result, wait another few days or a week and try again if your period has still not come. For the best results, try taking the test first thing in the morning, when your urine is most concentrated.

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