Money though important, is not the sole consideration when it comes to starting a family. However, welcoming your newborn will be less stressful once you have the finances worked out.

This article covers the cost of having a baby, from pregnancy to your baby’s first birthday.

Plan early for changes in your household finances before you decide to have a baby. If the pregnancy is unplanned, start planning the moment it is confirmed.

Prenatal costs

A period of regular checkups – monthly in the earlier stages and bi-weekly as delivery nears.

This includes screening tests such as ultrasound scans, bloodwork, and screening for genetic abnormalities. Every trimester requires different tests.

Screening tests can help discover an illness or a condition in a pregnancy before it leads to serious problems. Early intervention treatment if available can also be considered during this time.

Delivery costs

Delivery is either normal or by Caesarean Section (c-section). Major costs include specialists fees (obstetrician/gynaecologist, paediatrician, anaesthesiologist), anaesthesia and epidural (if used), hospital room charges, surgical fees, nursery fees, laboratory fees, or any medications or supplies required.

So, what are the costs for expenses at the prenatal and delivery stage?

The table below summarises the estimated costs during pregnancy and birth at a government and private hospital respectively.

The costs above cover the basics, and with the assumption there are no complications during pregnancy.

Other services:

• Epidural administration to reduce labour pains.

• Assisted delivery and birth induction.

• Lab and nursery fees.

Maternity Costs

• Maternity Insurance

Maternity insurance is lacking in Malaysia. Most insurers with maternity benefits only give a small lump sum for delivery, or only pay out for complications on mother or child.

There are clauses as well which exclude pre-conditions so do read the fine print carefully.

• Employee Benefits

Many companies provide maternity-related benefits or help cover maternity expenses for executives to attract and retain talent.

Different companies will have different policies and benefits including extended maternity leave or the coverage of all pregnancy-related expenses including complications.

Do check with your Human Resource Department about the details.

• Self Payment

Most Malaysians will need to cover the bulk of maternity and delivery expenses themselves. Many parents prefer delivering in the comfort of a private hospital.

There is also a growing demand for Full Paying Patient (FPP) services which provides private healthcare in government hospitals.

A suggestion is to use the nine-month pregnancy period to build your funds. Every month, save a fixed amount equivalent to the total cost of medical expenses up to birthing and then divide it by nine months.

One way to reduce expenses is to make use of local government clinics and hospitals. For example, Klinik Kesihatan Ibu & Anak, an initiative by the government, provides free checkups and anti-tetanus injections for the mother-to-be. The trade off is potentially longer queues and wait times.

Post Delivery

• Confinement Care

Confinement care for the new mother and baby is common in Malaysia for a period of one to three months.

Options include:

• Live-in confinement care services: RM5,000 and above monthly and typically requires early booking.

• Mother at confinement centre: RM2,000 and above monthly.

• Mother cared for at home by mother/in-law/family: free (sort of).

• Paediatrician Visits

Your baby must be taken almost every month to the hospital for regular checkups and various immunisation jabs.

Some jabs are compulsory and some are optional but do be educated (and avoid falling for the fallacies of internet quacks).

Each visit to a private paediatrician will cost you between RM70 – RM150.

• Vaccination schedule (Source: Ministry of Health Malaysia).

Baby Care

After the maternity leave is over, someone needs to care for your baby if both you and your spouse are working. Your options include:-

• A babysitter

Depending on your lifestyle, you can opt for daytime or overnight babysitting services. A daytime babysitter looks after your baby while you are at work, whereas an overnight babysitter cares for your baby Monday to Friday, leaving the weekends for you and your spouse.

Cost: RM12,000 – RM16,000 per annum.

• A maid

A maid may or may not have the requisite experience and skills to care for your baby. It is however an option, especially if you have other family members around at home but who are not able to care for your baby on their own.

Cost: Upfront fee of RM14,000 to the agency, and maid’s salary of RM700-RM1,000 monthly (excluding food and accommodation).

• Grandparents/Family

Again nothing compares to your own flesh and blood helping to care for your baby.

Cost: It is best to give a reasonable monthly stipend that more than covers food and other costs.

Other needs

Below are other common costs:

• Stroller: RM300 and above

• Car seat: RM300 and above

• Crib: RM300 and above

• Playpen: RM200 and above

• High chair: RM50 and above

• Changing table: RM100 and above

• Diapers: RM1,200 annually

• Clothes: RM600 annually

• Baby formula/milk: RM2,500 annually

• Breast pump: RM600 and above

• Solid food: RM600 and above annually

This article first appeared in https://mypf.my