What it costs to be pregnant

It’s widely documented what having a baby costs - between $3,000 and $13,000 in the first 12 months, according to a study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies. But what about the cost of being pregnant? So you can organise your cashflow (and still have enough left for the odd leg massage) we’ve added up the most common pregnancy costs.

Maternity clothes

While you can get away with wearing cotton dresses and extending your jeans with a stretchy maternity belt for the first few weeks of pregnancy, you’ll most likely soon need to invest in some maternity tops, dresses and undies. Even if you keep your spend to a minimum, and cut back by shopping at less expensive stores, it’s still likely to add up to a couple of hundred dollars.
= $200

Exercise classes

Experts recommend gentle exercise throughout pregnancy to keep you relaxed, supple and fit for childbirth. While you should definitely indulge in lots of free fitness – ocean pool swims, walks outside – you might also decide to take a weekly pregnancy yoga class, which assists with core strength and breathing. At an average cost of $12 per class, it adds up to around $480 over nine months.
= $480

Doctor’s visits

This could really bump up your costs, depending on whether you choose a pricier option, such as a home birth or a private obstetrician. Giving birth through the public system can cost you nothing (if your doctor bulk bills), while a home birth could potentially cost you $4,000 or more.
= $0 - $4,500

Supplements

While nutritionists say women shouldn’t need a pregnancy supplement (bar folic acid) if they’re eating a balanced diet, many pregnant women do decide to take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement to get their full quota of omega-3s, folic acid, iodine and vitamin D3. Take two capsules of Blackmore’s Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Gold for nine months and you’ll be spending around $190.
= $190

Baby essentials

Even if you put off buying a pram, cot, nursery décor and breastfeeding equipment until after the birth, you’ll still have to purchase lots of essentials in preparation for bub’s arrival. That might mean a baby capsule for the car, bassinette, bedding, baby monitor, baby clothing, nappies, nappy bag, baby bath, cot mobile, basic toiletries, breastfeeding chair, chest of drawers for stoage, breast pads and baby bottles. Phew! This lot soon stacks up.
= $500