Totting up the costs.

I’m right now compiling a splurge/steal article on antenatal costs for a local parenting magazine, and am quite surprised by my own findings. I’ve never really thought about comparing costs in such a manner, since we made our decisions based solely on what we felt comfortable with instead of how much they cost, so it’s an eye-opener.

For instance, I didn’t know that it costs a mere S$20 (slightly less than US$13) to see a doctor at the public polyclinic, whereas it’s S$80 to see a gynaecologist in private practice. It costs S$22 (about US$14) to stay one night in a six-bedder ward in a government hospital, but over S$300 (US$190+) to stay in a two-bed room in a private one. And of course, you can save a lot by doing other things like hand-expressing breastmilk instead of buying a pump, and wearing hubby’s shirts instead of investing in maternity wear.

I wonder what the costs of birthing (without government subsidies) are like in other countries? Do share!