Kumamoto 'baby hatch' hospital proposes anonymous childbirth

Japan Times -- Dec 17

The operator of Japan’s only “baby hatch” said Saturday that the nation should allow women to give birth anonymously at hospitals in cases of unwanted pregnancy, while ensuring the children’s right to learn their mother’s identity after they grow up.

Jikei Hospital in the city of Kumamoto said many of the women who have anonymously turned over their newborns had given birth in precarious circumstances, such as inside cars, while feeling unable to tell anyone about their pregnancies.

"Allowing anonymous childbirth in hospitals will be effective in protecting the lives of both mothers and babies," said Takeshi Hasuda, deputy head of the hospital.

Under the proposal, mothers who wish to give birth anonymously at hospitals would leave their identities in sealed documents at an administrative institution. The hospital would help with the children's upbringing through adoption and other means, while the children would have the right to know their mothers' identities after reaching a certain age.

Dec 17 (ANNnewsCH) - 熊本市の病院が匿名で母親の出産を受け付け、生まれた子どもが大きくなってから母親の身元を知ることができる「内密出産」という制度の導入を検討していることが分かりました。 慈恵病院・蓮田健副院長:「技術的には内密出産は可能だと思っています。