Written by featured writer Emily Graham
Preparing for a baby can be an incredibly stressful and expensive process. After all, there’s just so much stuff to buy! Or is there? Having a baby changes your life in so many wonderful ways, but it doesn’t have to drain your savings. From buying used baby supplies to having a home birth, there are many great ways to keep your spending in check while you prepare for the arrival of your little one.
Buy Used Whenever Possible
Buying used is the best way to stretch your baby budget. Shop around in thrift shops, buy gently used items online, or ask around in your mom circles to find parents willing to part with their old baby supplies. Most baby items are generally safe to buy used, including changing tables, baby monitors, baby bathtubs, toys, and clothing. That said, there are a few things you should always purchase new, including a crib, car seat, and stroller.
Pack a Budget-Friendly Hospital Bag
As your delivery date draws closer, you’re probably thinking about what you’ll need to pack in your hospital bag. Keep it simple and try to stick with essential must-haves. You don’t want to haul around a huge bag stuffed with expensive items you won’t end up using. Some clothing items that are worth bringing to the hospital include a delivery gown, nursing pajamas, slippers, nursing pads, a nursing bra, and some comfortable maternity clothing that you can wear on your ride home from the hospital. And don’t forget to pack your phone charger!
Assess Your Health Insurance
Long before your baby’s due date, take the time to go over your health insurance. While all health insurance plans must cover pregnancy and maternity care, there are a few exceptions. For example, if you’re still using your parents’ healthcare plan, their plan will not cover your delivery and newborn care. Also, make sure you understand the deductibles, copays, and co-insurance costs associated with your plan. Without insurance, most parents can expect to pay between $5,000 to $11,000 for a normal delivery in a hospital, according to SmartAsset.
Consider a Home Birth
A home birth could be a great option for moms-to-be without health insurance. According to Money Crashers, a typical home birth costs between $1,500 and $5,000 — at least half that of hospital birth. A home birth will also give you more freedom and control over your birth plan. Unfortunately, most states do not require health insurance plans to cover home births, so you should be prepared to pay out-of-pocket regardless. The hope is that future health insurance plans will evolve to cover easier and healthier birthing options, like midwifery services and home births.
Maintain Your Self-Care Routine
Whether you decide on a home or hospital birth, keeping yourself healthy and happy during your pregnancy will have a very positive impact on your birthing experience. Maintaining a healthy pregnancy is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of complications during birth, which can be both dangerous and expensive. Make sure you’re getting all the nutrition you and your baby need, especially calcium, iron, and folate. Regular exercise is also important.
If you have room in your budget, consider hiring a doula. While doulas can be pricey, think of it as an investment. Having a doula with you during labor and delivery will help you keep your stress levels low, shortening the duration of your labor and reducing your risk of expensive complications. Women who have the support of a doula are also less likely to need medical interventions like c-sections or epidurals.
You can spend a lot of money preparing for the birth of your child, but you don’t have to. You need very little to welcome a newborn into the world. Whether you decide to have a home birth or hire a doula to be with you in the hospital, make sure you choose a birth plan that will keep you calm and comfortable. And if you need more tips on health and wellness, check out the resources on Nicole Ciccarelli’s website!
For more articles and helpful tips on all around mom life check out Emily Graham at mightymoms.net
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