Pregnancy And Childbirth Require Careful Financial Planning - Dr Aminarh

Medical practitioner Dr Chris Aminarh has urged prospective parents to plan financially for pregnancy, childbirth, and the period after delivery, saying the cost of having a child extends beyond the delivery procedure.

Speaking on the Big Convo segment of the Culture Daily morning show on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9FM, Dr Aminarh said expenses begin from the time a woman becomes pregnant and include antenatal care, laboratory tests, scans, medicines, and supplements.

He said expectant parents should also budget for transportation to health facilities and other expenses associated with regular antenatal visits.

According to Dr Aminarh, delivery costs vary depending on whether a woman has a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section, as well as whether she has health insurance.

He said figures from one facility showed that a caesarean section without insurance could cost about $3,800 on average, while the cost could range from GHS 3,800 to GHS 7,000 or GHS 8,000 depending on the facility and circumstances.

For patients with insurance, he said the procedure could cost around $2,800, with the total potentially ranging from GHS 2,800 to about GHS 5,000.

He stressed that those figures covered the procedure and did not include medicines and other additional expenses.

For vaginal delivery, Dr Aminarh said the cost in the facility he referenced was about GHS 500 with insurance and GHS 700 without insurance, again excluding medicines and feeding.

He said parents should also prepare for unexpected expenses, including blood, additional medication, prolonged hospital stays and neonatal intensive care if the baby requires specialised treatment.

Dr Aminarh advised expectant parents to budget beyond the basic delivery charges because complications can significantly increase the final bill.

He also highlighted the importance of preparing a hospital or “to-go” bag before labour.

The bag, he said, should contain items such as baby clothes, diapers, swaddles, and other supplies for the mother and baby during their hospital stay.

For mothers, he said the bag should also contain sanitary pads, wipes, and sanitiser.

Dr Aminarh said some nurses and midwives keep essential items at health facilities for mothers who arrive without the necessary supplies, but the cost is eventually added to the patient’s bill.

He therefore encouraged expectant mothers to prepare in advance rather than depend on healthcare facilities to provide forgotten items.

He also stressed the importance of antenatal care, saying regular checks allow health professionals to monitor the development of the baby and identify potential problems early.

According to him, routine monitoring includes ultrasound scans, checking foetal heart sounds and assessing the development of the baby.

He said women who move between health facilities during pregnancy should carry their medical records with them so that the new facility can continue monitoring their pregnancy based on previous information.

Dr Aminarh also advised parents to budget for expenses after delivery, including vaccinations and other healthcare needs.

He said childhood immunisations provided by the government are free and encouraged parents to ensure their children receive them.

He also noted that pregnancy does not prevent women from developing health conditions such as malaria and urinary tract infections, making regular medical care important.

Dr Aminarh further urged families to provide support to pregnant women, saying responsibility for a pregnancy should not be left solely to the woman or her husband.

He said relatives and other members of the family can contribute to the preparation and support required before and after childbirth.

He also encouraged men who wish to be present during childbirth to discuss the option with healthcare providers, noting that some facilities allow partners to be present depending on the circumstances.