How much does it cost to have a baby in the Philippines?

Last updated: June 2, 2023

Written by: Alyssa Divina | Reviewed by: Mark Anthony

Having a baby can be a tiring and rewarding experience at the same time. Parents feel a sense of accomplishment every time they see their child hit every milestone in preparation for life. They are prepared to sacrifice everything in order to give their baby a loving home and healthy childhood.

That being said, kids are expensive and can easily drain your wallet. If you want to have a baby in the future, it is best that you prepare your money as early as now. It is difficult to provide for a baby if you don’t have enough money to begin with.

In this blog post, we will break down the costs of having a baby in the Philippines.

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How much does a prenatal check-up cost?

It’s important that you remain healthy and receive the best medical care possible as you go through the trimesters of pregnancy. Regular prenatal check-ups will keep you up to date with you and your baby’s well-being and spot conditions that may negatively affect your pregnancy.

Prenatal check-up costs in the Philippines can vary depending on your healthcare provider and frequency of visits. Consultations start at Php 500 and prices can go higher if you’re in a private hospital. The first trimester is the most delicate part of pregnancy, so expect to have constant follow-ups with your doctor.

Up until your eighth month of pregnancy, you may be required to visit your doctor every two weeks. In your ninth month, your visits may be increased to every week.

You also need to undergo ultrasounds which cost Php 500 and above. 2D ultrasounds are the cheapest and most commonly recommended to pregnant women. More sophisticated scans like 3D and 4D ultrasounds have higher prices, ranging from Php 1,500 to Php 4,000.

Philhealth covers prenatal check-ups through the Maternity Care Package. You can also use your husband or partner’s Philhealth number for maternity costs.

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Things to prepare before giving birth

Now that you’ve taken care of your prenatal check-ups, here are the things you need to prepare before giving birth in the Philippines.

You will also need some paperwork for you and your baby. Here are the documents needed when giving birth:

• Patient’s information form. You or your companion will be asked to fill out this form upon your arrival at the hospital or lying-in clinic. You have to give out information such as date of birth, place of birth, medical history, etc.
• Government IDs. Hospitals may ask you for government IDs to confirm your identity.
• SSS and Philhealth forms. You will need these forms if you’re planning to apply for maternity benefits.
• Admission slip from your doctor. This contains doctor’s instructions on what to do once you get admitted.
• Birth plan. This outlines your preferred method of delivery, pain relief, allergies and complications, and other health information.
• HMO, life or health insurance card. If your HMO or insurance policy covers maternity and childbirth, bring your card or a copy of your policy.
• Marriage certificate, if applicable.

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Delivery costs in the Philippines

If you think preparing for your baby’s arrival is already expensive, think again – we’re only halfway done. We still have to cover delivery costs here in the Philippines, from childbirth to postnatal care.
But before you head over to the hospital to give birth, you can avail of maternity packages that can help you save lots of money. If you are an SSS member, you can apply for maternity benefits where you can get up to Php 80,000.

Childbirth

Normal delivery

The most common way of giving birth, normal delivery is usually more accessible and costs are cheaper. You can even have a normal delivery in Philippine public hospitals for free!

But if you’re giving birth in private maternity hospitals, be prepared to shell out at least Php 25,000 for just the delivery. Of course, the cost is higher if you’re giving birth in a mid-range or high-end private hospital. You also need to consider doctor’s fees, medications, anesthesia, and the maternity room that you’re going to stay in and for how long. Opting for an epidural anesthesia may cost you from Php 25,000 to Php 40,000, maybe even more.

All in all, you have to prepare at least Php 300,000 for the whole procedure.

Cesarean delivery

Your doctor may elect that you go through a cesarean section (C-section) to deliver your baby, or you can plan to have one yourself. C-sections are recommended in situations such as obstructed labor, twin pregnancies, high blood pressure, and fetal distress.

C-section costs in the Philippines typically start at Php 125,000.

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Maternity packages

Hospitals and maternity clinics offer maternity packages to moms-to-be at affordable rates. Such packages usually include delivery (normal or cesarean), doctor’s fees, maternity rooms, medicines, and other professional fees.

These are just some of the hospitals in Metro Manila that offer maternity packages, and for how much:

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Newborn baby needs checklist

Having a baby is a blessing but also a responsibility. You should know and prepare everything that your newborn baby needs before bringing your little one home from the hospital.

Here is a checklist of a newborn baby’s needs in the Philippines.

For milk, the WHO recommends that you breastfeed your newborn exclusively up until 6 months of age, followed by continuous breastfeeding coupled with appropriate food up to 2 years old. That means you don’t need the most expensive milk for babies in the Philippines, at least not until your baby is two years old.

But if your baby needs formula milk to supplement breastfeeding, talk to your doctor first to ensure that your baby will still get enough nourishment from the bottle. A can of formula milk will range from Php 800 to Php 2,000 depending on the brand and kilogram.

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Expenses in the first year of a child’s life

Congratulations! Your baby just turned 1. You’re now quite past the stage of crawling and sleepless nights. But such a milestone does not mean that the growing pains are over: a one-year-old will have more needs than a newborn and expenses will only go higher from there.

Here are just some of the expenses in the first year of your child’s life.

✓ Milk. The average cost of formula milk for a 1 year old is Php 4,000 per month. The cost can go lower or higher depending on the brand, size, and if your child has specific dietary needs. You can still opt to breastfeed your child to supplement formula milk in order to cut down costs.

✓ Clothes. Your child will need new clothes as he/she grows! Prepare to spend at least Php 2,000 on clothes, though you can save money if you buy from discount stores or receive second-hand clothes from relatives and friends. You can also repurpose clothes if you have older kids!

✓ Toys and educational material. Kids are playful and inquisitive by nature, so what better way to indulge their budding imagination by giving them toys and educational materials? Prepare to have a budget of a maximum Php 1,000 on these items, though you can always save up by buying affordable but high-quality toys.

✓ Healthcare. Healthcare is expensive even if your kid does not get sick often. Your kid will need regular check-ups, vitamins and vaccinations in order to build their immune system and keep them healthy. You must have a budget of at least Php 5,000 per month, in order to cover emergencies as well.

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Conclusion

Giving birth and raising your own child can definitely be a learning experience – no wonder so many people find it very fulfilling! But being a parent is also expensive and can easily drain your wallet if you’re not financially prepared for it. That’s why it really is important to save money before you even plan on having a baby.

Nonetheless, emergencies do happen which can affect your finances even if you have ample savings. If you don’t have enough money to cover your baby’s expenses, you can always apply for quick cash loans as a last resort.

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