When will I receive my maternal and child health handbook (baby handbook)? Important points you should know [Doctor supervised]

What is a maternal and child health handbook (baby handbook)?

The maternal and child health handbook is commonly called the maternal and child handbook, baby handbook or parent-child handbook, but its official name is the maternal and child health handbook. 

The maternal and child health handbook (baby handbook) records the health status of the mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing, and can be used to provide health guidance to the mother and baby, while also serving as a child-rearing handbook.

The first half of the maternal and child health handbook contains records from pregnancy to birth, regular health records for newborn children up until elementary school entry, vaccinations (diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, measles, etc.), and dental examination records, all of which are stipulated by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare ordinances. The second half of the maternal and child health handbook differs depending on the city, town, or village.

What is the purpose of getting a maternal and child health handbook?

The maternal and child health handbook is a book that compiles important information about the health of mothers and children, from pregnancy through birth and into infancy.

It is not uncommon for mothers and babies to suddenly experience a change in their health during pregnancy, or even immediately after birth, even if they are in good health. In the unlikely event that something does happen, the records in the maternal and child health handbook will allow even a doctor other than your regular doctor to check the progress of the mother and baby’s health at a glance, which will help with prompt and appropriate treatment.

In addition, the maternal and child health handbook contains records of prenatal checkups, infant checkups, health guidance, vaccinations, maternal and child health services, etc. Because all this information about the mother and child is compiled in one book, it is possible to receive continuous medical examinations and care based on the records in the maternal and child health handbook, even when you go out or move.

In addition to recording the health of the mother and baby, the maternal and child health handbook also contains useful tips from pregnancy through to infancy. In addition to the section for doctors to write, there is also a section for mothers and guardians to write about memorable events such as the pregnancy and birth process and the baby’s growth.

For example, you are free to write about anything you want, such as “the first time the baby rolled over,” “the first word uttered,” etc. For these reasons, the maternal and child health handbook is not only a health-related item, but also a book of important memories that connects mothers and babies.

Have you ever received your maternal and child health handbook? What happens if you don’t?

Not having a maternal and child health handbook despite pregnancy and childbirth can have a major impact on the health of the mother and baby. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, it is a good idea to find out as soon as possible when you can receive your maternal and child health handbook and how you can obtain it.

Necessary in an emergency

The bodies of pregnant women and newborn mothers and babies are very delicate. It is not uncommon for their health to suddenly change while they are out and about. The maternal and child health handbook contains information about the health of the mother and baby, allowing doctors other than your regular doctor to quickly and appropriately examine them. For these reasons, it is a good idea to always carry your maternal and child health handbook with you during pregnancy and while your baby is under one year old.

Necessary for managing vaccinations for elementary and junior high school students

Among the routine vaccinations that are generally required, some require booster vaccinations when entering elementary school or junior high school. The vaccination records in the maternal and child health handbook contain information such as the medical institution where the vaccination was administered and the timing of the vaccination, and are important for managing future booster vaccinations.

Required for overseas travel

When traveling abroad for vacation or study abroad, you will need to have a record of your past vaccinations. Since the types of vaccinations recommended vary by region, the vaccination history recorded in your maternal and child health handbook is very important information and can be considered a vaccination certificate.

Even unmarried people can get a maternal and child health handbook

Anyone can receive a maternal and child health handbook free of charge when pregnancy is confirmed, regardless of whether they are married or not. Once pregnancy is confirmed, be sure to apply for and receive the handbook.

Application and issuance of maternal and child health handbook

The documents required for applying for and receiving a maternal and child health handbook and how to fill out the application form vary depending on the local government. It is important to check early on what you need to bring when applying for a maternal and child health handbook and the opening hours of the office.

When should I get my maternal and child health handbook?

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare recommends that you receive your maternal and child health handbook by the 11th week of pregnancy. For pregnant women who are concerned about when to apply for and receive their maternal and child health handbook, such as “when should I apply?” and “how many weeks into pregnancy do I need it?”, it is a good idea to aim for the 6th to 11th week of pregnancy, when applications and issuance are most common. Also, since there is a risk of miscarriage before the baby’s heartbeat is confirmed, many pregnant women receive their maternal and child health handbook after the heartbeat is confirmed.

A maternity health checkup ticket (subsidy ticket) will be issued together with the maternal and child health handbook. Without the maternity health checkup ticket, you will not be able to receive public assistance when undergoing prenatal checkups at your local municipality. Since public assistance cannot be paid retroactively, it is recommended that you apply for the maternal and child health handbook by the 11th week of pregnancy.

Time required for delivery

The time it takes from application to issuance of the maternal and child health handbook varies depending on the local government and the method of receipt. In order to receive a maternal and child health handbook, it is important to check early on what documents are required, which department you should apply to, and how long it will take from application to issuance.

How do I get a maternal and child health handbook?

Maternal and child health handbooks are not applied for or issued at medical institutions. They are applied for and issued at the city or town where the mother is registered. In addition to applying at the counter, applications can also be made by mail or online.

Where can I get a maternal and child health handbook?

Maternal and Child Health Handbooks are applied for and issued at the local government office or municipality in your area. In addition to applying at the counter of each municipality, you can also apply by mail or online, but the application method and issuance period vary, so please check in advance. Also, please note that the opening hours of counters on weekends and holidays vary depending on the municipality or municipality.

Steps to getting your maternal and child health handbook

The process from application to issuance of a maternal and child health handbook is generally as follows, regardless of whether you are married or unmarried.

Discovering you are pregnant ➡ Visit a doctor (confirming pregnancy) ➡ Checking the baby’s heartbeat (6-11 weeks pregnant) ➡ Go to the municipal office where your resident registration is located (or apply by mail or online) ➡ Receive your maternal and child health handbook

What you need to bring to get your maternal and child health handbook

The documents required to apply for a maternal and child health handbook vary depending on the local government. Be sure to check what you need to bring with you the day before you apply. You can also have a proxy apply for and collect your maternal and child health handbook.

What to bring when receiving your maternal and child health handbook

• Photo ID 
• A document that can verify your personal number (such as My Number card)
• Medical certificate from the medical institution where you were diagnosed with pregnancy 
• Pregnancy notification form (pregnancy notification/pregnancy certificate)

* Varies depending on each local government.

Items that the agent must bring when picking up the document

• A document that can verify the pregnant woman’s personal number (such as My Number Card) 
• Documents that confirm the authority of representation 
• Identification of the legal representative (driver’s license, My Number card, passport, etc.) 
• power of attorney

If a representative is to receive the maternal and child health handbook, a power of attorney is required. The format varies depending on the local government, so please check the website or inquire. 

Maternal and Child Health Handbook procedures can be done by mail or online

In addition to applying at the counter, you can also apply by mail or online. If you are currently living far from the area where your resident registration is registered, or if you are worried about infectious diseases during pregnancy, applying by mail or online may be convenient. However, there are cases where the issuance period differs from the procedure at the counter. Please check in advance.

How to use the Maternal and Child Health Handbook

The maternal and child health handbook contains various information about the health of the mother and baby. It will be required for prenatal checkups, so be careful not to forget or lose it.

What is to be written in the maternal and child health handbook

During pregnancy, the medical institution will record the mother’s weight, blood pressure, urine test results (urine protein levels, etc.) as well as the fetus’s developmental status such as weight and height in the mother’s maternal and child health handbook as a prenatal checkup record.

At birth, the date and time of birth, type of delivery, amount of blood loss, baby’s weight and height, etc. are recorded, and after birth, the baby’s growth, health condition, vaccination history, etc. are recorded. In particular, the timing and type of vaccinations are very important, as they will be needed in the future.

Prenatal checkups are scheduled for each week of pregnancy, with checkups at 4 weeks, 2 weeks, and once a week. Please bring your maternal and child health handbook with you from the first to the last prenatal checkup. The contents of the checkup will be filled out by a medical professional. After your prenatal checkup, it is important to check that there are no blanks left unfilled.

In addition to the section for medical professionals to fill out, the maternal and child health handbook also has a section for mothers and guardians to write freely. By recording the baby’s daily growth, it will become a memento for the future.

Growth process

The maternal and child health handbook contains a curved graph called a growth curve. A growth curve is a curved graph that allows you to see at a glance how far your baby’s development differs from the average growth standard. By measuring your baby’s height and weight about once a month and recording them on a graph, you can check the progress of their healthy growth.

Vaccination Records

Babies will receive vaccinations at least 15 times over a six-month period. Be sure to check when vaccinations are necessary and what they are for. Vaccination history will be recorded in the mother and child health handbook, including vaccination dates, medical institutions, and types of vaccinations.

Health

The maternal and child health handbook records the baby’s development as well as its nutrition, illnesses, and other health conditions. Because the health status of the mother and child is continuously recorded from pregnancy through to after birth, appropriate examinations and guidance can be provided at any medical facility.

Do I need a maternal and child health handbook for checkups and hospital visits?

The maternal and child health handbook records the health status of the mother and baby. The handbook allows medical professionals to check and update ongoing test results at a glance, so it is always necessary for checkups and consultations. In addition, if you carry your maternal and child health handbook with you while you are out and about, you can receive a quick and appropriate diagnosis in the event of a sudden change in your health or an unexpected accident, so try to carry it with you at all times.

What to do if you forget your maternal and child health handbook during a prenatal checkup

If you forget your maternal and child health handbook when you go for a prenatal checkup, please inform the medical institution’s reception immediately. Please note that tests using subsidy or free vouchers cannot be taken on the same day.

You will also need your maternal and child health handbook when receiving vaccinations for infants and young children.

What should I do if I lose my maternal and child health handbook?

The maternal and child health handbook is an important document that keeps track of the health status of the mother and baby. If you lose your maternal and child health handbook, you should immediately go to the local government office where you applied for it and apply for a reissue. The documents required for reissue will vary depending on the local government.

How long should you carry your maternal and child health handbook with you?

Since the mother and child health handbook is often needed for checkups and vaccinations until the child is one year old, it is generally a good idea to carry it around until the child is around one year old.

About the Maternity Mark

The maternity mark is a mark that indicates pregnancy that has been promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare since 2006. The purpose is to allow pregnant women to use public transportation safely and comfortably, and to make it clear at a glance that they are pregnant if they suddenly become ill or have an unexpected accident while out. There are two main places where you can get a maternity mark.

• Maternal and Child Health Handbook Issuance and Local Government Offices 

You can get it for free at your local government office, such as the maternal and child health handbook issuing office. Check with your local government when you apply for your maternal and child health handbook.

• Urban Station 

Maternity marks are also distributed free of charge at stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area and other urban areas. Family members are also eligible to receive them, so husbands, partners, parents, etc. can receive them. However, to prevent misuse, it seems that you may be asked to show your maternal and child health handbook. Also, some stations do not distribute maternity marks, so be sure to check in advance.

When you receive your maternal and child health handbook, consider NIPT (new type prenatal testing)

NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) is a screening test that can identify the risk of congenital diseases caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus using only maternal blood.

Anyone can take the NIPT (new type prenatal diagnosis) test by Hiro Clinic NIPT after confirming pregnancy with an ultrasound examination, as long as they have a maternal and child health handbook. In addition, Hiro Clinic NIPT allows pregnant women who are not in good health to apply, take a medical interview, and receive test results online.

If you have any questions about NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) or chromosomal abnormalities in babies, please feel free to consult with Hiro Clinic NIPT. For a healthier pregnancy and birth, our doctors and staff who are well versed in NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) will provide you with a thorough explanation.

Article Editorial Supervisor

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Dr Hiroshi Oka

NIPT specialist clinic, MD

Graduated from Keio University, School of Medicine