Let us say it is your first pregnancy. You and your partner are finally going to have a baby! Oh, what a joy. I don't want to spoil your excitement but here's a list of what to expect when expecting a baby:
MONTHLY PRENATAL CHECK UP: This is a must. But first, find an ob-gyne that you feel comfortable with. Ask your mom or your friend to recommend you to someone. Most check up would be P200 - P300. By doing this, you and your ob-gyne are monitoring your child's development.
VITAMINS: Doctors will usually prescribed supplements and vitamins that will help you get the nutrients that your body needs for you and your baby.
LABORATORY TESTS: On certain months of your pregnancy, your ob-gyne will require you to take some lab test. Most of them would be sugar level and cholesterol test. And depending on your family history, they will require some more.
BIGGER CLOTHES: You're growing bigger every month so your need to buy bigger clothes where you can fit in.
CRAVINGS. Some pregnant women will really beg for something they want to eat. Some wanted fruits, while others wanted expensive and exotic dishes. Some don't even want to eat at all! Control those cravings because you will surely have a hard time losing those extra pounds after giving birth.
SSS and PHILHEALTH PAPERS: Be sure that you complied all the necessary documents needed by these government agencies so that you can avail of your maternity benefits.
ULTRASOUND: When you just found out you are pregnant, your ob-gyne will require IV untrasound. Second ultrasound will be required to determine the baby's position or gender. Some will require more depending on your condition.
BABY THINGS. Of course you need to buy a crib, clothes, feeding bottles, sterilizer, breastpump, cloth or disposable diapers, and other baby essentials. If you know someone who already had a child, you can ask for some old clothes. Don't buy many small-sized clothes because the baby will outgrow them immediately. Buy bigger clothes instead so that they can use it for a longer period of time.
YOUR OB-GYNE'S PERSONAL NUMBER. Some doctors are kind enough to give their personal numbers just in case you have a question. It is also necessary to have the number especially if you think you are already on labor. Be sure you have a cellphone load to be prepared when these emergency arises.
CHOOSE A HOSPITAL. You should ask your ob-gyne on what hospitals he/she is accredited with. Then choose from them. You can visit the hospital to ask for their delivery packages. Know what services they offer on those particular packages because there is always a catch to those discounted rates. But you will be subject for interview first and will require to submit some documents before your application is approved. But if you are in good financial standing, don't bother to ask because your application will be disapproved.
CHOOSE A PEDIATRICIAN. Before giving birth, you will be asked by your ob-gyne if you already have a pedia. If you don't, you can ask them to recommend someone. Once the baby is delivered, the pedia will be the one who will attend to your baby's need and not your ob-gyne. Nursery bill is separate from your hospital bill.
MONEY. Whether it is a normal delivery or a CS operation, you need to have money for the down payment to the hospital. Most normal deliveries cost about P15,000.00 if you are in a private hospital. CS operation on the other hand, cost about four times the amount of a normal delivery. The largest component of your bill will be the professional fees. Mine cost about almost 40% of my total bill.
I don't intend to scare you away or what. I just want to share the things I learned from my own experiences so you will have an idea on what to do and what to expect. Remember, the journey does not end when the child is born, it is only the beginning.
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Whew! These are the expenses for the childbirth of my future wife.