YUI CLINIC Guide for Military People

by Yui Clinic (Okinawa, Japan)

This is a complete guide for military people if they prefer to have their baby delivered at YUI Clinic or off base.

Yui Clinic is a Tricare Network provider in Okinawa. However, the patient cannot get a referral from the hospital because of the normal pregnancy and free style delivery. In this regard, we suggest that you change your insurance from Tricare Prime to Tricare Standard.

Before you change your insurance, make sure that YUI Clinic can accommodate you. Kindly confirm this by visiting the clinic for a briefing and a tour but make sure to set an appointment beforehand.

YUI Clinic maintains a very busy schedule so we regret to say that we cannot facilitate walk-ins or tours if you do not have an appointment. Please make an appointment by contacting us using the form below.

Contact form

  • The briefing and tour cost 5,000 yen which will be shouldered by the expecting parents.
  • We have an English translation service available via telephone. Additionally, some of our staff speaks English.
  • If you want to know the details of the examination we recommend you bring a translator. There are some translators we can introduce to you. If you are interested in a translator, please ask us.

At the moment, we do not accept mothers who wish to do a VBAC and/or expecting twin babies at the clinic. We will refer you to other providers if necessary. If you are now at breech presentation and your condition is acceptable for an external cephalic version (ECV), we can discuss doing the ECV.

Once you are accepted at YUI Clinic please follow the steps below

  1. If you are on standard status, or if you want to change to Tricare Standard Status, you may be checked-up but without any recommendations. Secure your medical record from your previous hospital.
  2. If your primary health provider cannot give you a referral, you can change your Tricare Prime Status to Standard. By doing so, you can use your Tricare off base.

Other tips about the Clinic

  • Keep ALL of your receipts.
  • Get to know Okinawa customs. At our clinic, we offer support that is not similar to a typical hospital. For Japanese women, they usually stay for 4-7 days after delivery. On the other hand, American mothers are not accustomed or required to stay that long. We greatly recommend that mothers take advantage of the round the clock breastfeeding support and care offered by the midwives. However, the decision will come from you. You can choose the number of days you can stay at the clinic.
  • You will be required to take classes. We have a list of classes to choose from.
  • Appointments can take a couple of hours. Please plan your day accordingly. You will be seen by the OBGYN, then a consultation with a midwife.
  • Circumcision is not performed at this clinic. There are some hospitals off base that accept circumcision. You will need to make an appointment through Ped’s at the base if you choose this. Your son will need to be enrolled into DEERS before an appointment can be made.
  • On the day of birth, you will have your support team there with you, including the translator, if arranged.
  • Upon leaving the facility, you are provided with a Japanese birth certificate. You will need to get your translator and do the required paperwork before you visit Okinawa City office.
  • Go to your DEERS office at the base to proceed with the enrollment. Bring the necessary papers from the city office with you.
  • Make a trip to the Tricare office to enroll your newborn. (http://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Baby/GettingTRICAREforChild). Then you will take all of the information to begin the paperwork for passport and American citizenship. If you go directly to the consulate, your waiting time may be less than that at the base. Parents have been able to make appointments at the consulate before their babies are born. This is to speed up the process.
  • You will also have to get a baby command sponsorship. You may be required to make an appointment at the base medical facility to get a clearance and the baby will be put on your orders.
  • We introduce you to a Doula who can help you make your delivery easier, smoother and a satisfying experience.
  • In addition, a translator is very helpful for you to have smoother communication during the delivery.
  • It is also recommended that you come to the clinic with a translator during the check-up.
  • During the check-up, be aware that you may have many meeting sessions with our midwives and counselors. It is better if you come to the clinic with a translator during midwife sessions and counseling.