The Story of Changing Hospitals During Pregnancy Checkups

During my second pregnancy, I decided to change the hospital I had been visiting twice since my pregnancy confirmation. At the time, I searched the internet for information about switching hospitals in the middle of pregnancy checkups, but I remember feeling very anxious because there were few personal accounts. Based on this experience, I decided to write this article, thinking my story might be helpful to someone. I hope this is useful for those considering a transfer or those struggling to choose a hospital for their pregnancy checkups.

Choosing a hospital for my first pregnancy without hesitation

I didn't have any particular trouble choosing a hospital for my first pregnancy. This was because there were few hospitals in the area where I lived at the time, and there was no room for choice.

Since I was planning to return to my parents' home for childbirth, I chose a hospital based on the criteria that I could only receive pregnancy checkups there and that it was easy to commute to from home. I chose a clinic with about 10 beds that also had delivery facilities. I didn't think deeply about it at the stage of choosing a hospital, but having delivery facilities means that doctors and nurses are often present at night, which means they can often respond if something happens at night. (*Depending on the hospital) During my first pregnancy, I had a threatened miscarriage and needed to call or visit the hospital at night, so having night support was extremely helpful.

Also, perhaps because of the region, it was often free to pay when using pregnancy checkup subsidy tickets, which was also appreciated as it was less of a financial burden. Overall, I finished my visits without any major complaints.

Pregnancy with my second child after moving. Until I decided to transfer

After giving birth to my first child, I moved to another prefecture and became pregnant with my second child after a while. Since I also wanted to return to my parents' home for the birth of my second child, I started going to a hospital where I could only receive pregnancy checkups and could visit at night.

However, I thought about transferring after visiting twice, at 6 weeks and 9 weeks. The reasons were: (1) I didn't get along with the male director, and I felt it was physiologically impossible, and (2) the costs were too high. Regarding (1), the director was almost the only one handling pregnancy checkups, and it was difficult to change doctors. Regarding (2), although it depends on the region, the basic fee was set high in the first place, and I had to pay more than 2,000 yen out of pocket each time even if I used the pregnancy checkup subsidy tickets. If I had additional tests, the cost would be even higher.

Fortunately, there were more hospital options than in the area where I used to live, including hospitals I could reach by train. While fighting morning sickness, I desperately looked for a place to transfer.

A fateful encounter with a hospital introduced by the municipal office

My criteria for choosing a hospital were as follows: (1) Good access, (2) Google rating of 3.5 or higher, (3) Can only attend for pregnancy checkups (birth can be at another hospital), (4) Can be visited at night, (5) Costs are not too high.

As for how to search: Narrow down to hospitals in locations that are realistically commutable from the list of hospitals that accept city subsidy tickets (including other prefectures and municipalities) -> Check Google ratings -> Check the hospital's website. I checked if I could attend only for pregnancy checkups, if the costs were not too high, and if I could visit at night. If it was unclear, I called to confirm. You might think it's hard to ask about costs, but if you ask, 'I'm thinking of visiting for obstetrics, how much are the pregnancy checkup fees?', they would tell me normally.

However, hospitals with delivery facilities that can be visited at night often required giving birth at that hospital, so I had a hard time finding a hospital that met both (3) and (4). When inquiring by phone, I also confirmed whether they would accept me, along with (3) to (5), saying I wanted to transfer.

In addition to the internet, I also collected information during an interview with a midwife when I received my Maternal and Child Health Handbook at the municipal office. When I consulted her, saying, 'The hospital I'm going to now is expensive, and I want to transfer, do you know any good hospitals?', she gave me several recommendations.

As a result, I transferred to one of the hospitals she told me about at 11 weeks. Although it was a bit far, 5-6 stations away by train from my house, so I hadn't included it as a candidate, but when I looked at the website, the costs were written in detail and it seemed like it would be cheap. Since there were no delivery facilities, I could attend only for pregnancy checkups, but it was linked with nearby hospitals and night support was possible, so it met almost all the conditions.

Above all, when I inquired about the transfer by phone, the deciding factor was being told, 'If you have only had examinations before receiving your Maternal and Child Health Handbook at the previous hospital, you don't need a referral letter if you bring the test results.' (Other clinics I inquired at said a referral letter was required to transfer.) I was very depressed about going to the previous hospital just to get a referral letter, so I was grateful... When I actually went, as it said on the website, the costs were low and the pregnancy checkups were done carefully, so I sincerely felt glad that I transferred.

By the way, since I changed hospitals without saying anything to the previous one, I was nervous for a while thinking something might come, but nothing happened, and I was relieved.

What I learned from this experience and what I want to convey is as follows: - Pregnancy checkup costs vary considerably depending on the hospital (market prices also differ depending on the region) - If costs are unclear, you can ask by calling the hospital directly - You can transfer in the middle of pregnancy checkups. Basically, a referral letter is required, but if you have only had examinations before receiving your Maternal and Child Health Handbook, you may be able to transfer without a referral letter - Midwives at the municipal office have information on hospitals in the area, so it is worth consulting them if you are worried about choosing a hospital.

Thank you for reading to the end. I would be happy if this experience could be of help to someone.