The maternal and child health handbook, often called the boshi kenko techo, is used to record important information through pregnancy and a child's early years. The Children and Families Agency provides information about the handbook and related materials. Municipalities handle local procedures and support, so contact the office for your registered area after discussing your pregnancy with a healthcare professional. This guide covers organising an appointment, not medical decisions.

Ask where to go

Find the pregnancy or maternal-and-child-health section of your municipality's official website. Ask which office receives the notification, whether an appointment is needed and what documents to bring. Explain if you need language support. Confirm whether a multilingual handbook or translated guidance is available locally; do not assume every office has every language in stock. If you recently moved, explain that too.

Prepare your questions

  • What paperwork is required for this notification?
  • How are the handbook and local information provided?
  • What checkup-support documents or other local programmes should I ask about?
  • How are applications handled if I move during pregnancy?
  • Who should I contact about interpreting at future appointments?
  • Which questions belong with the municipality and which with my medical provider?

Ask the office to explain eligibility and application steps for your circumstances. Receiving a leaflet does not necessarily complete an application for a benefit.

Organise the records

Keep the handbook, appointment details and relevant local documents in one accessible place. Bring the items requested by your medical provider to each appointment. Ask a professional to explain an unfamiliar entry rather than changing medical information yourself. If using a translated version for understanding, check how it should be used together with the record issued locally.

Prepare for changes

Discuss travel, a planned birth elsewhere or a move with both the relevant office and healthcare provider. Arrangements for support documents or reimbursement can differ, so ask before incurring an expense that you expect to be covered. Keep receipts and written instructions when relevant. Protect photographs of the handbook because they can contain sensitive health and identity details. After the birth, use the municipality's current checklist for the separate procedures that follow; the handbook appointment does not replace those notifications.