Planning for a baby is an exciting journey, but in Singapore, it also requires careful financial planning. Understanding the costs involved—from the first gynecologist visit to the final delivery bill—can help you navigate this path with confidence and avoid unexpected surprises.
This guide breaks down the cost of pregnancy care in Singapore, explaining what you can expect to pay at each stage and how government schemes like the MediSave Maternity Package can help lighten the load.
Understanding the Full Spectrum of Pregnancy Costs
The total cost of having a baby in Singapore varies widely depending on your choices: public or private hospital, subsidized or private patient status, and whether you experience any complications. Let’s break it down stage by stage.
1. Pre-Pregnancy and First Trimester Costs
Before conception, some couples opt for pre-pregnancy health screenings to check for any underlying conditions that could affect fertility or pregnancy. A basic pre-pregnancy checkup package typically starts from S$400 to S$700. Individual tests, if done separately, can range from S$40 for a Pap smear at a public clinic to S$1,600 for prenatal genetic tests.
Once you have a positive home pregnancy test, your first trimester visits will confirm the pregnancy and establish a baseline. At a public hospital as a subsidized patient, your first consultation can range from S$30.50 to S$71.17. At a private clinic, expect to pay between S$120 and S$350 for an initial consultation.
Key first-trimester tests include the OSCAR test for Down syndrome (S$300–S$400) and early ultrasounds (S$100–S$300 per visit). Don’t forget prenatal vitamins, which can cost S$60 to over S$450 throughout your pregnancy.
2. Second and Third Trimester: Antenatal Packages
As you move into your second trimester, many hospitals offer antenatal packages that bundle consultations and routine scans, offering better value than paying per visit.
At KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) , a private patient antenatal package starts from S$818 (excluding GST). This includes six consultations with bedside ultrasound, routine urine tests, a detailed 20-week anomaly scan, and essential blood tests. At private clinics like those under the Sincere Healthcare Group, an antenatal package from week 20 onwards is priced at S$1,800.
Other important tests during this period include:
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for gestational diabetes: S$20–S$50
- Detailed fetal anomaly scan (around 20 weeks): Approximately S$280
- Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests (NIPT) like Harmony or Panorama: S$1,200–S$1,400
Many parents also attend prenatal classes to prepare for childbirth. Hospital-run courses range from S$240 at KKH to S$750 for more comprehensive private courses .
3. Delivery Costs: Public vs. Private Hospitals
Delivery is the single largest expense. The final bill depends on the type of delivery (vaginal or caesarean), the hospital, and your ward class.
Public Hospital Delivery Costs (Subsidized Rates)
For Singaporeans opting for subsidized care in public hospitals, costs are highly affordable. At Singapore General Hospital (SGH), the average bill for a normal vaginal delivery in a subsidized Class C ward is S$1,300, while in Class B2 it is S$1,459. At KKH, a normal delivery in a subsidized ward averages around S$1,385 for Class C and S$1,486 for Class B2.
For caesarean sections, which require a longer hospital stay, the average total bill at SGH in a subsidized Class C ward is S$1,767, and in Class B2 it is S$2,466.
Public Hospital Delivery Costs (Unsubsidized / Private Patient)
If you choose to be a private patient in a public hospital, costs rise significantly. At KKH, an unsubsidized normal delivery in Ward A averages S$5,780, while at SGH it averages S$4,557. For caesarean sections, the average unsubsidized bill at SGH is S$8,330 for Class A.
Private Hospital Delivery Costs
Private hospitals offer a different level of comfort and personalized service, but at a premium. A normal vaginal delivery in a private hospital in Singapore typically ranges from S$9,073 to S$12,547. Caesarean sections are significantly more expensive, ranging from S$9,814 to S$21,556, depending on the hospital and the level of complexity.
A Note on Nationality: Costs vary significantly based on residency status. For example, at KK Hospital, a normal delivery in a Class C ward costs a Singaporean citizen S$1,390 (fully Medisave-covered), while a non-resident pays more than S$8,000. The gap widens for caesarean deliveries, where non-residents pay nearly S$12,000 compared to S$2,270 for citizens.
4. Hidden Costs and Unexpected Complications
Always budget for the unexpected. Complications during delivery, such as fetal distress, may require an emergency caesarean or forceps assistance, increasing costs. If your baby needs specialist care or a longer hospital stay, this will also add to the bill. This is why having a financial buffer or comprehensive maternity insurance is so important.
Government Support: Keeping Costs Manageable
Singapore’s government provides substantial support to help couples manage pregnancy expenses.
The MediSave Maternity Package (MMP)
This scheme allows you to use your Medisave savings for both pre-delivery and delivery expenses. The withdrawal limits are:
- Pre-delivery expenses (consultations, scans, tests): Up to S$900
- Delivery expenses: From S$1,120 to S$2,770, depending on the procedure
- Hospital stay: S$1,130 per day for the first two days, and S$400 per day from the third day onwards
For example, for a caesarean delivery with a 4-day stay, a couple could claim up to S$6,340 under the MMP. To claim, simply present your pre-delivery bills to the hospital where you deliver, and they will submit everything to the CPF Board on your behalf.
Grants for Newborns
All Singapore Citizen newborns born on or after 1 April 2025 receive an enhanced MediSave Grant for Newborns of S$5,000, automatically credited to their MediSave account. For third or subsequent children born on or after 18 February 2025, families also receive a Large Families MediSave Grant of S$5,000, credited to the mother’s MediSave account.
The Bottom Line
According to the government, after subsidies and MediSave, the average Singaporean couple can expect close to zero out-of-pocket payments for their pre-delivery and delivery expenses in a subsidized ward. For those facing difficulties, medical social workers at public hospitals are available to provide financial assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the total cost of having a baby in Singapore for a Singaporean couple?
For couples opting for subsidized care in a public hospital, the total out-of-pocket cost can be very low. After government subsidies and the MediSave Maternity Package, many pay close to zero for their pre-delivery and delivery expenses. For those choosing private hospital care or unsubsidized wards in public hospitals, costs can range from S$5,000 to over S$20,000 depending on the delivery mode and hospital.
2. How much can I claim from MediSave for my pregnancy?
Under the MediSave Maternity Package, you can claim up to S$900 for pre-delivery expenses, and between S$1,120 and S$2,770 for the delivery procedure itself, depending on whether it’s a vaginal or caesarean delivery. You can also claim S$1,130 per day for the first two days of hospitalization and S$400 per day thereafter.
3. Do I need private maternity insurance if I plan to deliver in a public hospital?
While not mandatory, private maternity insurance can provide valuable peace of mind. It can cover complications not fully covered by MediSave, protect against large bills from unexpected emergencies like a medically necessary C-section, and help with costs if you choose private patient status or a private hospital . Be aware that most insurers impose a waiting period of 10 to 24 months before maternity benefits apply, so it’s best to secure coverage well before conception .
4. What is the difference between a private patient and a subsidized patient in a public hospital?
Subsidized patients (Singapore Citizens and PRs) pay lower rates for consultations and hospital stays, but they do not get to choose their attending doctor and may see a different doctor at each visit. Private patients in a public hospital pay higher fees but have the same doctor throughout their pregnancy and delivery, similar to the experience in a private hospital.
5. What is included in an antenatal package, and is it worth it?
An antenatal package typically bundles all routine prenatal consultations, ultrasounds, and basic tests from a certain week (often week 20) until delivery. For example, KKH’s package includes 6 consultations, routine urine tests, a detailed anomaly scan, and blood tests for anaemia and gestational diabetes. These packages are almost always more economical than paying for each visit and test separately, and they offer the convenience of a single, predictable fee.
Consider consulting a good clinic like WS Law Women’s Clinic & Laparoscopic Surgery Centre from Singapore for pregnancy care.
Want to learn more? read: What is pregnancy care and why a good clinic matters.
