Estimated Costs & What to Expect
Here are typical cost ranges and what people often need to pay when expecting and having a baby in the Philippines (public vs private hospitals, types of delivery etc.):
| Item | Public Hospital / Basic Case | Private Hospital / Higher-End Case |
|---|---|---|
| Regular hospital birth (normal delivery) | ₱ 15,000 – ₱ 20,000 | ₱ 40,000 – ₱ 50,000 |
| C-Section delivery | ₱ 25,000 (public) | ₱ 80,000 – ₱ 250,000 |
| Prenatal care (doctor visits, ultrasound etc.) | ≈ ₱ 700-₱ 1,250 per month / basic scans etc. | More depending on provider, extra scans, specialist fees |
Other cost-factors:
- IVF / fertility treatments: For those needing fertility-assistance, costs can run from about ₱ 200,000 to ₱ 400,000for a full IVF cycle.
- Hospital stay post-delivery: Usually ~2 days for normal birth; longer (often 1-2 more days) for C-section.
- Ancillary baby items, postnatal care, supplies etc. — clothes, formula milk, baby gear etc. — add to cost notably in first few months.
How Dogpay Can Help Lower Friction & Manage Costs
When planning for a baby in the Philippines — especially if you are an expat, foreign national, or use foreign income / cross-border payments — there are many payment pain points. Here’s how Dogpay helps:
- Upfront Medical / Hospital Payments Many hospitals require deposits or payment arrangements before admission, especially for private hospitals or specialized deliveries. If you are using foreign/international bank transfers or multiple currencies, Dogpay allows you to see clear exchange rates & fees in advance, so you can budget properly and avoid overpaying due to hidden charges.
- Prenatal / Specialist Visits & Labs Some prenatal tests / scans / specialist doctor appointments (ultrasounds, anomaly scans etc.) require payment ahead or may not be fully covered by insurance or public health. If you pay from abroad or through foreign currency providers, Dogpay can reduce FX loss and speed payment settlement.
- Delivery Costs (Normal vs C-Section) C-sections are much more expensive; private hospital option especially can multiply costs. Having Dogpay means easier tracking of large payments, smoother transfers for surgical fees / anesthetics / hospital room charges etc., especially when using international funds or credit from outside.
- Postnatal & Baby Supplies / Imported Items Items such as formula, baby gear, imported medicine or equipment can incur extra import/tax/shipping or currency conversion cost. Dogpay helps by making cross-border payments or foreign currency purchases more predictable, possibly locking in better conversions, and avoiding surprise bank or intermediary fees.
- Insurance / PhilHealth / Claims & Reimbursements If you have health insurance or use national health insurance (PhilHealth), some prenatal or delivery costs may be reduced or subsidized. Dogpay helps you pay the initial costs cleanly, keep receipts & payment histories that are often needed for filing insurance or reimbursement claims.
- Emergency / Unexpected Complications Sometimes complications arise needing extra costs—longer hospital stay, NICU, medications etc. Dogpay provides a smoother way to mobilize funds quickly (especially if your funds are held overseas), reducing delay and cost from hasty transfers.
Practical Tips & Takeaways
- Before getting pregnant (or as early as possible), begin budgeting: estimate whether you’ll use public or private hospital, type of delivery, frequency of prenatal visits.
- Research hospitals: compare package costs, what’s included (room type, anesthetics, doctor fees etc.) vs what’s extra.
- Make sure you understand your insurance / PhilHealth coverage (what parts are covered, what not).
- Save for baby supplies and “imported” items early; buy locally when possible to reduce extra fees.
- Use a tool like Dogpay for large payments / cross-currency payments so that you can see actual cost and avoid hidden FX or transfer fees.
