Angela Graham
Angela Graham
Ask any parent if they were financially ready when their child arrived and most will say no.
Financial preparedness before childbirth is a myth for most new moms and dads who eventually go ahead and have a child anyway.
The cost of giving birth in South Africa is about R20000 for a Caesarean section and R10000 for a vaginal birth at private hospitals. Government hospitals are free.
Private hospitals give patients free gifts and they have more of a hotel-like feel than their government counterparts.
It might be worthwhile for expectant moms to join a medical aid if they want to have the private hospital experience.
A medical aid will cost about R1000 for a private hospital plan. It's important for moms to check on timing of their pregnancy to ensure that they will be covered.
If a mom opts to have a doula at the birth, it will cost about R1700 said Natalie Guscott, an antenatal educator who offers this service.
"A doula is a companion in labour. We help make the birth gentle and special," she said.
The ultimate baby luxury has to be a night nurse, who helps to look after a newborn baby at night and gets the tot into a routine.
Once the baby is brought home the costs rise rapidly. New parents can easily part with R5000 just by acquiring the cot at R1000 to R2000 or more; the pram at about R300 to R3000 or more; and car seat at about R600.
It's cheaper to breast feed but for those who intend to bottle feed, places like Ackermans sell cheap bottles for about R20.
Nappies are a huge expense. Parents should budget on using about eight to 10 nappies a day initially, which will cost about R100 for 60 nappies. This works out to cost between R400 and R500 a month for disposable nappies.
As baby paraphernalia is so expensive, hand-me-downs and bargains from second-hand shops are always a good idea .
But whatever the cost, rest assured that once the little angel is conceived, parents will happily part with millions of rands to keep him happy and healthy.
Producing an heir can be a costly affair
Angela Graham
Angela Graham
Ask any parent if they were financially ready when their child arrived and most will say no.
Financial preparedness before childbirth is a myth for most new moms and dads who eventually go ahead and have a child anyway.
The cost of giving birth in South Africa is about R20000 for a Caesarean section and R10000 for a vaginal birth at private hospitals. Government hospitals are free.
Private hospitals give patients free gifts and they have more of a hotel-like feel than their government counterparts.
It might be worthwhile for expectant moms to join a medical aid if they want to have the private hospital experience.
A medical aid will cost about R1000 for a private hospital plan. It's important for moms to check on timing of their pregnancy to ensure that they will be covered.
If a mom opts to have a doula at the birth, it will cost about R1700 said Natalie Guscott, an antenatal educator who offers this service.
"A doula is a companion in labour. We help make the birth gentle and special," she said.
The ultimate baby luxury has to be a night nurse, who helps to look after a newborn baby at night and gets the tot into a routine.
Once the baby is brought home the costs rise rapidly. New parents can easily part with R5000 just by acquiring the cot at R1000 to R2000 or more; the pram at about R300 to R3000 or more; and car seat at about R600.
It's cheaper to breast feed but for those who intend to bottle feed, places like Ackermans sell cheap bottles for about R20.
Nappies are a huge expense. Parents should budget on using about eight to 10 nappies a day initially, which will cost about R100 for 60 nappies. This works out to cost between R400 and R500 a month for disposable nappies.
As baby paraphernalia is so expensive, hand-me-downs and bargains from second-hand shops are always a good idea .
But whatever the cost, rest assured that once the little angel is conceived, parents will happily part with millions of rands to keep him happy and healthy.
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