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 and childbirth. You will visit him/her for regular prenatal checkups here, and he/she will attend your 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, labor and the postnatal period.
- You know your doctor well, and your doctor will know you well too.
Other 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 and Dr. Sen’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 or Dr. Sen 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 birth education class, taught by midwives. This one time 2-2.5 hour class is designed for women or couples, who will deliver with Dr. Sakamoto or Dr. Sen, 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: 10,000 yen/couple
Registration is required.
All cancellations must be made at least three days in advance.
Registration can be done through International Unit reception.
Payment must be received at International Unit on the day of class.
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-pick 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 or Dr. Sen.
Tour of Aiiku Hospital
Aiiku Hospital affiliated with Aiiku Clinic. Most patients go to Aiiku Hospital for their childbirth. We offer a hospital tour every month for patients who would like to see the hospital before delivery.
English tour is available exclusively for Dr. Sakamoto and Dr. Sen’s patients. The tour takes place twice a month, mostly on Saturday afternoon.
By reservation only. Please make your reservation at the International Unit.
Japanese tour is available for everyone interested in giving birth at Aiiku Hospital. No reservation is required. Please come to the 1 st floor lobby of Aiiku Hosptial. Tours are conducted on 2 nd and 4 th Thursdays at 11:00 am.
Infertility
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of timed, unprotected intercourse. Fertility issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal issues, ovarian issues, uterine or tubal problems, and semen abnormalities.
If you are concerned about possible infertility, the first step is to schedule an appointment. A detailed medical history will be taken, and we will start a work-up with you.
Treatment of infertility depends on the cause. Medication for ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination, uterine surgery for polyps/fibroids or a combination of these therapies may be used. Sometimes, more advanced therapies such as assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are necessary.
After the initial work-up at our office, you will be referred to reproductive specialists if your doctor feels that this would be the best course of action for you and your partner.
We also provide semen analysis for men.
Gynecology
Regular Checkups
Cervical cancer screening, which can include the Pap test and testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), is recommended for all women starting at 21 years of age with initiation of sexual activity.
The latest routine cervical cancer screening guidelines are as follows:
- Cervical cancer screening should start at age 21.
- Women aged 21–29 years should have a Pap test regularly.
- Women aged 30–65 years should have a Pap test and an HPV test (co-testing) regularly. It is acceptable to have a Pap test alone on a regular basis.
We will recommend when and what test you should have for routine screening based on the latest guidelines.
Although an annual Pap test is no longer recommended to all women, an annual gynecologic checkup is still
one of the most important steps you can take in preventing disorders of the pelvic organs.
Gynecologic Surgeries
Complex gynecologic surgeries that once required large incisions and long recovery times are now being replaced by simple minimally
invasive procedures such as laparoscopy. These advances allow surgeons to perform their procedures through tiny incisions,
using a camera and small instruments. Up-to-date technology makes procedures like hysterectomies and myomectomies safer and shorter,
and reduces recovery time tremendously.
Our doctors may perform surgeries for you or refer you to an appropriate specialist depending on your needs.
PMS/PMDD (Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)
PMS is a common condition related to menstrual periods and can include bloating, cramping, fatigue, moodiness, sleep irregularity and depression. PMDD is a severe form of PMS. Many women experience PMS in their lifetime, but symptoms can and should be treated professionally. There is no laboratory diagnosis of these conditions, but if they are interfering with your everyday life, they can be considered a serious health condition.
Contraception
Choosing an appropriate method of contraception is an important decision that will impact a woman’s daily life.
Talking with your doctor about your options is essential to successful protection for you and your partner.
We will provide information about the different types of contraceptives and their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Birth control methods have many different variables including frequency, convenience, permanence and effectiveness.
It is important to take into consideration your lifestyle, age, health and previous experiences. The decision is ultimately yours,
but our knowledge and experience can help you make the right choice.
We can also prescribe emergency contraception (known as the morning-after pill) at the clinic. If you had unprotected intercourse or
failed with your regular method (missed pills, broken condom, etc.), emergency contraception can help prevent unplanned pregnancies.
HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a type of virus that causes genital warts. There are more than 100 different kinds of HPV, and some of them may increase the risk for cancer. While some types can cause genital warts, others will show no symptoms but can eventually lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus. It is important to identify whether or not you have the cancer-causing, high-risk type of HPV.
While there is no cure for HPV, treatment for the symptoms caused by HPV, such as genital warts, cervical changes and cervical cancer, is available.
We offer HPV DNA typing test and vaccination.
STD
Most sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have no symptoms, so it is hard to know if you have been infected.
Periodic testing is recommended for anyone with multiple sexual partners, even if you are having protected sex using condoms.
We offer safe and confidential STD testing and treatment.
Postmenopausal Care
Many women going through menopause suffer from a wide range of symptoms including irregular bleeding, hot flashes, insomnia,
night sweats, fatigue, depression and more. There are several treatment options available to help relieve these symptoms,
and our doctors can help you decide which option is best for you.
Prescription medication with estrogen and progesterone, known as hormone replacement therapy, is a classic treatment for
women to treat symptoms of menopause and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Patients can also seek alternative treatments
for their individual symptoms and should be able to maintain an active and healthy life.
Advanced Ultrasound Examinations
Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound exams are available at our clinic. Our latest medical ultrasound equipment with Doppler ultrasound, three-dimensional and four-dimensional (3D and 4D) capability enables us to have better and more informative images that help diagnose and monitor gynecologic problems such as a pelvic mass, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain and infertility.