Congratulations! Preparing for a bundle of joy joining your family is exciting for not only you, but friends and family. There’s multiple moving parts including baby registry, a baby shower, and deciding what color to paint the nursery.
But as you prepare mentally for a baby, preparing financially is just as important. Here’s a breakdown of common costs and how to save while you’re expecting!
Treatments & Screenings
While some couples are fortunate enough to conceive with little to no medical interference, this isn’t true for everyone. Fertility screenings and IVF treatments are expensive and fairly time-consuming.
If you and your partner need IVF treatments to start your family, you’re looking at costs up to S$15,000. Thankfully, if you’re using your Medisave account, this can offset some of the price. If you need a fertility screening, these on average cost S$385 and often include an ultrasound, consultation, and testing.
Prenatal Testing
Along with healthy eating, exercise, and lifestyle, during pregnancy you’ll need to visit the OBGYN for testing and monthly visits to make sure mom and baby are doing well.
Screening for genetic defects and conditions is something many couples who are expecting do to determine the viability of the child as well as how they’ll grow and their quality of life. The average cost for genetic testing can range from S$650 to well over S$1,500. This will depend on the testing facility and how extensive the testing is.
For finding a gynaecologist, remember it’s for the long haul! You’ll be seeing this person at a monthly time frame until the third trimester, where you’ll be visiting up to twice a month. As the date of birth gets closer, the more visits will help make sure mom and baby are safe and ready for delivery.
Each visit to your OBGYN can range in price from S$150 to around S$400. With some quick math, you’ll be spending upwards of S$4,000 over the course of nine months.
Delivery Costs
With preparing financially, the most expensive part is the delivery. According to SingSaver, “an average of $1,200 for a normal delivery (without interventions needed) at a Class C ward in a government hospital. This can go to $13,000 or more at a private hospital.”
Depending on what facility you give birth in, the price shifts drastically. For a vaginal birth in a private hospital, expect to spend approximately S$8,000.
Miscellaneous
If you’re the class taking type, many hospitals offer prenatal classes to assist new parents to prepare for having children, including posture, breastfeeding, and general day-to-day care.
These classes can range from S$50 upwards of S$250 per class. Some of these are one-on-one classes while others are group classes.
Some soon to be parents opt for maternity insurance to cover anything unexpected during the birth of a child. This works together with Medishield and IP coverage. It often covers for complications during the pregnancy, childbirth, and covers life-threatening emergencies.
These vary drastically in price, but this resource is helpful in understanding which is best for your family.
Preparing the Finances
Now for the big question: how do you SAVE on pregnancy costs in Singapore? Here are a few ideas to help you and your family.
- Consider a maternity package, especially those that include check-ups, tests, and any other essential items you might need.
- If out-of-pocket concerns are high on your list, consider boosting your Medishield claims can ease some of that stress.
- If you’re able, breastfeed for as long as you can. Newborns need to eat about eight times per day and formula costs can skyrocket your budget!
- As the baby grows, instead of buying brand new clothes through each growth spurt, ask for hand-me-downs from friends and family or visit a child specific resale store.
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