As an FTM (First time mom), I have no idea kung magkano ang magagastos ko. I did my research and I asked a lot of Momshies of course. So by the time I tested positive (Hindi sa covid ah) on Pregnancy Test, mixed emotions talaga. Overwhelmed with joy but at the same time I need a financial scheme.

For convenience, I chose private OBGYN. Upon researches, Naghanap ako ng OBGYN Sonologist/sonograpger. Why? kasi pag OB/SONO meaning hindi na ako pupunta sa ibang lab or clinic for ultrasound, kasi sya na mismo mag uultrasound sakin. Less hassle, less effort and yes a little bit less cost. Hindi lahat ng OB ay marunong mag ultrasound, they can read, but they can’t conduct or wala silang facilities/equipment like ultrasound machine.

Here is the breakdown of my First trimester: (High-risk ako kaya I go to OB more often than those that aren’t high-risk)

1st check up 7 weeks : 800.00 (consultation + vitamins)

2nd check up 9 weeks: 1300.00 (consultation+transvaginal utz + vitamins) and in order to make sure that the baby will make it to 2nd trimester, maraming prescribed meds and vitamins. (Folic acid, Ferrous Sulfate and the pampakapit – Duphaston) Duphaston costs 86.50 sa Watson’s at mercury. Ang prescription sakin, 2 weeks akong 3x a day ( so 86.5 x 3 = 259.60 per day for 2 weeks) that’s 10th and 11th week of pregnancy. Then I took duphaston until 17 weeks (6 weeks x 173.00) You do the Math na. 😅 (You can’t buy Duphaston without prescription)

on the second trimester, I need laboratories such as: 1. HIV test 2. Glucose Tolerance test 3. Congenital Anomaly Scan 4. Regular Urinalysis 5. Blood tests. I still have all the receipts of my expenses. so here are the prices way back 2020:

HIV TEST – (they said it’s a mandatory for pregnancy nowadays beacuse of medical trend) 2, 400

Glucose tolerance test , CBC , HEPA B tests, and Thyroid tests – 4, 300

3D/4D Ultrasound = price starts at 1750.00 (softcopy only and USB)

Congenital Anomaly Scan – 1800.00

Fetal Biometry – 2,200

Those where the stuff na I didn’t know by then. Akala ko kasi check up lang, ganern!🤣

My regular check-up is every 2 weeks kasi nga high-risk ako. So regular check up plus vitamins around 3,500 a month kasama urinalysis kasi preggo needs to watch out for infections.

Laboratories are on top of the 3,500 average costs pag sa private. Hindi pa kasama kung may UTI ka at mag aantibiotic or vaginal suppository ka in which is pricey too. Thank God, hindi ako nagka UTI. I make it a habbit na uminom ng buko juice araw araw. (Shout out sa Buko on cart kay Kuya na kilala na ako kasi walang mintis pagbili ko araw araw.

Come 3rd trimester, dun na kami nagsimulang bumili ng mga gamit ng baby. Nagresearch talaga ako kung san makakamura, san praktikal dun tayo! kasi I want to save and spare some money para sa mas importanteng needs ng bata. So Divisiora is the key!

Kahit malaki na tyan ko, inisip ko na lang exercise pag punta sa divi! So in Divi, I bought: Lampin 2 dozens 180.00 isang dozen, binarat ko syemps! Barubaruan 2 balot lang din for the price of 320.00 kasi mabilis lumaki ang bata, mabilis nya maaoutgrow ang barubaruan. Kulambo 🤣 ito tandang tanda ko 180.00 originally sabi 250.00 daw… Kaso nagpaawa ang buntis sabi ko 180.00 na oang pera ko, binigay naman 🤣🤣🤣 Pillows and foam – Set na to ah (2 hotdogs, 1 flat pillow, 1 comforter) 400.00.

By that time, ipit na ipit pera ko. Alam ko kasi na CS na ako. Hindi na ako nahiya tumanggap ng mga Gifts and love offerings. My generous, sweet and very thoughtful Officemates and bosses threw a baby shower. And with that baby shower, I received baby clothes, baby bottle & dishwashing liquid, Nursing pillows, 2 Big packs of diaper, baby powder, baby detergents, and baby bathrobes.

Buti na lang nauna ang babyshower bago ako mamili 🤣. So those that I received through the babyshower, bawas na sa checklist ko.

But, I still have a lot on my checklist like: Crib, mattress, bottles, steamer, breast pump, Extra fan etc.

BTW, we bought crib sa likod ng SM Mega North, 3,700, foldable, palochina and adjustable yung pwede itaas and ibaba yung papag 🤣.

We also bought some stuff in Baby Fair at SM MEGA MALL. Dun kami namili ng Bottles, breast pump, more diapers (dahil bagsak presyo ang huggies), Storage box, teether, shampoo, baby wash, hygiene kit, baby carrier, bottle cleaner etc., so we spent 6,000 pesos for the good deal items. From there, baby stuff are set. My cousin also gave me a bottle sterilizer. (Such a big help)

Aside sa comfort ni baby, kelangan din talaga na isipin and may checklist for Maternal care. pero I can compromise, priority is the baby!

Come 39 weeks, through IE, open na sya, but no labor and mataas pa daw sabi ng friendly midwife, (Oh Ms. Odessa). I am still reporting for work hanggang makaramdam na ako ng mild contractions, hindi na ako comfortable sa office. My ob gave me evening primrose (not over the counter meds din) Naka inom akong 5 capsules, paspasan na ang labor and yet my cervix is still close and baby’s head is still not intact sa opening. We tried na “baka magnormal”, pero hindi talaga. Bumababa na ang heartbeat ni baby so I need to undergo CS talaga. 16 hours din ako naglabor ah.

Since hindi kaya inormal, I had my CS in private hospital in which my OB is affiliated. The bill costs 99,000 including Anaesthesiologist, Pedia (5,000) and Professional fee, the OR and ward.

Ang bawas lang through Philhealth is 14,000… Nagdown ng 5,000 ang ate ko. so the rest we paid in cash nung marelease na kami. 3 days and 3 nights in a private ward.

So all in all, you do the Math 🤣. That is the cost of having a baby these years.

List of References:

OB/Sono – Dra. Cristina Santos

OB na nagpaanak : Dra. Higoy of Victory lying in clinic

Hospital – Our Lady of Grace Hospital, Caloocan

Laboratories: Hi Precision Lacson, Mega Clinic SM Megamall

3d/4d ultrasound: Hello Baby Fishermall

Stores: SM Megamall Baby fair / Bazaar, Divisoria , Cradle and all wooden crib

Sponsors: Officemates, Ate, Nanay, si “Hoy” and si Entot who gave me super daming essentials. THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU.

What do I do for a living: A minimum wage earner employee na nagloan lang sa LBP and GSIS to cover most (not all) of my expenses.

It’s just a matter of budgeting and being practical.

Checklist is a must to identify which needs to be prioritized. Research is also vital lalo na kung gusto mo ng convenient at swak sa budget na needs mo.

Mas makakatipid sa center, Yes, pero given my schedule as a regular employee, kelangan ko ibalance ang job performance and attendance ko kasi I need a job. I can’t afford to be jobless.

Nonetheless, it’s all worth it. I have a healthy baby and providing all the essentials is part of being a responsible Nanay.

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