The True Cost of Giving Birth in Singapore: 50 Expenses Every Parent Should Know

Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest joys, but in Singapore, it also comes with financial considerations. From prenatal check-ups to postnatal recovery, the journey involves many hidden and visible costs. Some expenses can be offset by MediSave and insurance, but many still fall on the family’s budget.

To help you plan ahead, here’s a 50-item checklist of costs with price ranges that expecting parents in Singapore may encounter.

#	Expense Item	Description	Estimated Cost Range (SGD)
Prenatal Care
1	First gynaecologist consultation	Initial consultation to confirm pregnancy and review health.	120 – 350
2	Regular prenatal check-ups	Monthly, then fortnightly, then weekly visits until delivery.	100 – 350 per visit
3	Basic ultrasound scan	Routine scans to monitor baby’s growth.	100 – 300
4	Detailed anomaly scan	Mid-pregnancy scan to detect abnormalities.	280 – 400
5	Routine blood tests	Includes blood group, infections, and health markers.	100+
6	Down syndrome screening (OSCAR)	First trimester scan and blood test.	300 – 400
7	Gestational diabetes test (OGTT)	Checks for pregnancy diabetes.	20 – 50
8	Prescribed prenatal vitamins	Supplements prescribed by doctor.	60 – 450+
9	Over-the-counter prenatal supplements	Self-purchased vitamins from pharmacy.	60 – 450+
10	Prenatal vaccinations	Flu or Tdap vaccinations during pregnancy.	70+
Hospital & Delivery Costs
11	Gynaecologist maternity package fees	Bundle for regular visits and delivery.	1,000 – 3,000
12	Booking deposit for delivery	Deposit paid when registering for delivery.	500 – 1,500
13	Natural delivery (public subsidised)	Vaginal birth at a public hospital under subsidy.	1,000 – 2,000
14	Natural delivery (public unsubsidised)	Vaginal birth without subsidy.	2,600 – 4,500
15	Natural delivery (private hospital)	Vaginal birth in private hospital.	7,000 – 12,500
16	Epidural fee	Pain relief injection administered by anaesthetist.	1,300 – 1,400
17	Assisted delivery fee	Vacuum or forceps assistance if needed.	500 – 1,000+
18	Caesarean section (public subsidised)	Surgical birth under subsidy.	1,500 – 3,000
19	Caesarean (public unsubsidised)	Surgical birth without subsidy.	6,300 – 9,400
20	Caesarean (private hospital)	Surgical birth in private hospital.	9,000 – 21,000+
Hospital Stay & Newborn Care
21	Ward type – private suite	One-bed private ward.	700+ per night
22	Ward type – shared/multi-bed	2 to 6-bed wards.	60 – 350 per night
23	Companion/partner bed	Extra bed for spouse to stay overnight.	80 – 120 per night
24	Meals (hospital catering)	Standard hospital meals.	Included, upgrades extra
25	Medical supplies	Consumables used during delivery and stay.	200 – 500
26	Operating theatre charges	Usage of surgical facilities.	1,000 – 2,000
27	Anaesthetist fees	For epidural or C-section.	600 – 1,200
28	Neonatologist attendance	Specialist if newborn requires monitoring.	150 – 400
29	Daily doctor rounds	Inpatient gynaecologist fees.	100 – 200 per day
30	Newborn nursery charges	Care if baby is not rooming-in.	100 – 200 per day
31	Newborn hearing test	Standard screening for infants.	80 – 100
32	Newborn blood screening	Metabolic and genetic disorder screening.	150 – 200
33	Newborn vaccinations (BCG, Hep B)	Given at birth.	120 – 180
Post-Delivery Care
34	Lactation consultant	Support for breastfeeding techniques.	100 – 150 per session
35	Pain relief medication	Prescriptions after birth or surgery.	50 – 200
36	Postnatal check-ups	Doctor visits 6 weeks after delivery.	100 – 350 each
37	Contraceptive or IUD insertion	Birth control post-delivery.	300 – 1,000
38	Physiotherapy sessions	For pelvic floor and recovery.	80 – 150 per session
39	Wound care follow-up	Dressing changes or wound review.	50 – 150
40	Hospital discharge medication	Medicine provided upon leaving.	50 – 100
41	Postpartum vitamins	Supplements to aid recovery.	100 – 300 monthly
42	Paediatrician follow-up visits	Newborn check-ups after discharge.	80 – 200 per visit
43	Home nurse/confinement nanny	Postpartum care at home.	3,000 – 4,000 for 28 days
Other Possible Costs
44	Private cord blood banking	Storage for future medical use.	1,000 – 6,000+
45	Cord tissue banking	Add-on service to cord blood banking.	1,000 – 3,000+
46	Ambulance transfer	Emergency transfer to hospital.	150 – 300
47	Parking at hospital	Partner/family parking charges.	10 – 30 daily
48	Meals for partner	Food during hospital stay.	20 – 50 daily
49	Transport to hospital	Taxi, Grab, or private car expenses.	20 – 100+
50	Insurance top-ups for maternity complications	Optional rider coverage.	1,000 – 5,000 annually

Final Thought

The cost of giving birth in Singapore ranges widely depending on whether you choose public or private hospitals, the type of delivery, and optional services like confinement nannies, cord blood banking, or private suites.

• Low-end (subsidised public care, natural birth): ~$3,000 – $5,000
  

• Mid-range (unsubsidised public/private mix): ~$8,000 – $12,000
  

• High-end (private hospital, C-section, private suite, extras): $20,000+
  

Planning ahead is key. By knowing what costs to expect, you can budget wisely, use MediSave, protect with insurance, and focus on the most important thing, welcoming your baby with peace of mind. Written with Passion by: HappierHomes Admin