How expensive is it really??

[millymouse]

Hi there everyone. My name is Melissa, Im very new here.  Im 23 and engaged, im a spa therapist. I dont have any children yet.  I was born to be a mother!! but lately my biological clock has been in absolute overdrive! I am so super broody that it is sometimes so unbareable. I would be pregnant already, but im so worried about hospital costs etc.  I think I can afford the baby after birth.  I dont really have anyone who can give me some rough figures, so please, if there is anyone out there living in gauteng who could give some guide lines.  I would really appreciate it. I do not have a medical aid.

[spade22]

Things are definitely different in different countries so its hard to compare.  Your best bet is to call a local OBGYN or hospital and ask if they can give you an approximate estimate of costs for the whole process.

I dont know much about your health system.  Im from NZ and we have public and private medical care.   The private healthcare tends to be for wealthier people and costs quite a bit to get a policy (insurance policy). Most people use the public health system which is relatively cheap.  Is the system similar in South Africa?

In any case there is always a way to make it work.  People get pregnant all the time and make it through the process.

[JoyRenee]

It will depend on your medical coverage. I'd call your insurance company and ask them how much they cover and how much you'd have to cover. For me, I'm paying my OB about $300 for prenatal care (the rest is covered by my insurance) and the hospital bill will be taken care of. So everyone is different.

Having a baby is just one of those things that you may feel you'll never be prepared to pay for but in the end I know it will be alright. They should allow payment plans, etc. to give you time to pay any bills off.

[millymouse]

wow!!!! Im in south africa, so dollars to me looks like my baby will cost like R100 000. Its so sad that medical is so expensive. At this rate, I dont think I will ever be able to afford having a baby. we have public hospitals here, but I havent many good things about them.  Medical Aid is also rather pricy, aroung R1200 Per Month for a good 1 that covers most expenses, I supose that would be the most cost effective route to take though.  thanx for the advice spade22!

[spade22]

I live in MO and without any insurance my prenatal care, delivery, and hospital stay from myself and baby was ~$20,000.  The OBGYN charged about $3000 for all the visits, blood work, ultrasounds etc. BUT it is the hospital charges etc. that make the bill sky-rocket and many people dont even think about those.

If there are any complications during the process the bill will be much higher.

After my husband broke his ankle and was without medical insurance we found out the hard way how important it is.