The main differences between Hiro Clinic and other clinics (primarily certified facilities accredited by the Japanese Association of Medical Sciences) lie in the “freedom of testing” and “ease of consultation”.
First, regarding testing items, certified facilities generally limit tests to three types: trisomies 21, 18, and 13. In contrast, Hiro Clinic offers a wide range of tests, including all chromosomes, microdeletions, and fetal sex determination.
Consultation conditions also differ. While certified facilities may require age restrictions (e.g., “35 years or older”) or referrals, Hiro Clinic has no age restrictions and allows testing from an early stage, once a fetal heartbeat is confirmed. Furthermore, the speed of receiving results in as little as 2 days through collaboration with a domestic laboratory, and the cost-effectiveness with plans starting from the 60,000 yen range, are major advantages.
On the other hand, certified facilities mandate thorough face-to-face genetic counseling, providing a sense of security through strictly managed systems. Please check the comparison page on Hiro Clinic’s official website for details and choose the option that best suits your needs.

Hiro Clinic is a medical institution that primarily specializes in NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing). Through this test, chromosomal abnormalities in the unborn baby can be investigated with high accuracy using the mother’s blood.
Specifically, the following information can be obtained. First, the possibility of major chromosomal disorders such as Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13 can be identified. Furthermore, depending on the plan you choose, testing can comprehensively cover all autosomes from 1 to 22, as well as the conditions of “microdeletion and duplication syndromes” where a part of a chromosome is missing. In addition, sex chromosome abnormalities and the baby’s sex can also be determined.
A major feature is that clinics are located at multiple bases across Japan, there are no age restrictions, and testing is available from the time a fetal heartbeat is confirmed. For details, please check the official Hiro Clinic website and consider your options.

If the NIPT result at Hiro Clinic is positive, it is recommended to undergo an “amniotic fluid test” to confirm the diagnosis. An amniotic fluid test usually costs around 100,000 to 200,000 yen, but Hiro Clinic offers three types of “amniotic fluid test support” to reduce the burden on patients.
Specifically, you can choose from “Light,” which provides a subsidy of up to 100,000 yen for a support fee of 3,300 yen (tax included), “Standard,” offering up to 200,000 yen for 5,500 yen (tax included), and “Wide,” which subsidizes up to 300,000 yen including various expenses like ultrasound fees for 11,000 yen (tax included). Payment is required only once at the first visit, and if you undergo Early NIPT, the support remains applicable without additional costs.
This system applies even if the test is conducted at another clinic. Additionally, upon a positive result, we provide a “Positive Score” report that quantifies the predictive value and have a consultation system with specialists in place, offering robust support so you can make future decisions calmly.
For more details, please refer to Hiro Clinic’s post-positive aftercare section.

The main reason testing is fast at Hiro Clinic is that we have our own testing laboratory within our corporate group in Japan.
Many medical institutions transport collected samples to overseas testing facilities, which takes about 1 to 2 weeks for results to arrive. In contrast, Hiro Clinic completes the testing domestically and further streamlines the process by introducing automated liquid handlers and the latest next-generation sequencers, achieving rapid notification in as little as 2 to 3 days.
Regarding accuracy, it is comparable to other clinics and certified facilities. NIPT itself has exceptionally high accuracy, with a negative predictive value reaching 99.99%.

At Hiro Clinic, the probability of requiring a retest due to a “test uninterpretable (judgment suspended)” result caused by a lack of fetal DNA or other reasons is extremely low, estimated at around 0.3 to 0.4%.
Hiro Clinic’s NIPT boasts an extremely high “result reporting rate,” with performance data showing that 99.98% of patients receive a result. The primary cause for an uninterpretable result is that the amount of fetal DNA contained in the mother’s blood (fetal fraction: FF) does not meet the standard. In particular, DNA concentration may be low when the gestational age is early, or depending on the mother’s weight or constitution. In such cases, by waiting about 1 to 2 weeks and redrawing blood, over 85% of these cases can be accurately determined.
In the unlikely event that a determination still cannot be made after a retest, you will consult with a doctor regarding how to proceed (such as transitioning to an amniotic fluid test) depending on the situation. Details can be found on Hiro Clinic’s explanation page regarding uninterpretable results.

At Hiro Clinic, it is possible to undergo NIPT testing even if your gestational age is “too early” or “too late.”
First, regarding cases that are “too early,” while standard clinics generally require consultations from the 10th week of pregnancy, at Hiro Clinic, you can be tested as soon as a fetal heartbeat is confirmed via ultrasound. The major advantage of early testing is that, in the unlikely event of a positive result, you secure ample time for subsequent detailed testing and decision-making.
Next, concerning “too late” cases, there is no upper limit on gestational weeks for consultation. We flexibly accommodate testing after 15 weeks or “Late NIPT” past 18 weeks, so even those who develop anxieties in the later stages of pregnancy can be tested.
However, since there are legal restrictions and medical deadlines for the period during which an amniotic fluid test (the definitive diagnosis if positive) can be performed, it is recommended to undergo testing with sufficient time to spare, around the 14th week.

At Hiro Clinic, when considering NIPT and a fetal dock (detailed ultrasound), we fundamentally recommend “taking NIPT first.”
NIPT can be performed with just a blood draw and can determine the possibility of chromosomal abnormalities with extremely high accuracy. By first confirming the overall risk with NIPT, if it is negative, you can safely return to your regular prenatal checkups. If the result is positive or suspended, proceeding to a fetal dock or amniotic fluid test as the next step is also medically logical.
While there are cases where patients undergo NIPT after an abnormality is pointed out during a fetal dock first, checking the details with specialized ultrasound based on the NIPT results is considered to be more efficient for diagnosis and reduces the mental burden on the pregnant woman.
As of 2026, our clinic also offers plans combining NIPT and ultrasound testing.
Please consult with a doctor regarding the optimal time for testing.

Here is information regarding our clinic’s payment methods and the required time on the day of the test.
【Payment Methods】
As of 2026, our clinic has introduced a variety of payment methods with patient convenience in mind. In addition to cash payments, major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners, etc.) are accepted. We also support various QR code payments and electronic money, so please choose the method that suits you best.
【Required Time on the Day】
The process from arrival to departure is typically very smooth, taking about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Wait times are minimal due to the advance reservation system, and the day proceeds in the order of filling out a medical questionnaire, counseling by a doctor, and drawing blood. We have established a system that allows you to comfortably undergo testing between work or childcare.