How Much Does it Cost to Have a Baby in India?

It was March 2022. After six or seven days of delay, we took a home test. It was positive. Just to be sure, we got another test. Same result!

We booked an appointment with a gynecologist. She asked for a scan. The report came back positive. It was confirmed.

But even before the excitement could settle in. The most pressing concern hit us—the cost.

Pregnancy and childbirth bring significant expenses. And financial preparedness isn’t something you can sort out overnight.

One of the first things we did was assess the total budget, from pregnancy to delivery to everything the baby would need. Honestly, I couldn’t find a practical guide covering it all. So I started building one myself.

Thinking about starting a family or expecting, here’s a real-world guide to what you might spend when planning for a baby in India.

It begins with one missed period and those two little pink lines. When we saw them, the excitement was real, but so was the uncertainty.

The first visit to the gynecologist included a consultation, an early ultrasound scan, and a follow-up, which cost about ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 ($36 to $60).

The doctor also prescribed folic acid, calcium, and iron supplements. It was an ongoing ₹500 to ₹1,000 ($6 to $12) to our monthly budget.

One of the most consistent expenses throughout the pregnancy was food. Not takeout or cravings. But actual, daily nutrition. Because when you’re growing a baby, nutrition isn’t optional.

My diet changed instantly. I began including more fresh fruits. Daily intake of coconut water. I added more and more dairy, dry fruits, nuts, seeds, and protein-rich meals. This came around ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 ($48 to $72) a month to our regular grocery bill.

Then came the tests. Every trimester brought a new round of NT scan, anomaly scan, blood tests, thyroid checks, and sugar levels. Each set costs between ₹3,000 and ₹7,000 ($36 to $84), depending on the hospital and the city.

Over nine months, we spent around ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 ($180 to $240) just on diagnostic tests and scans, all necessary and non-negotiable.

Regular doctor visits were another recurring cost. Early in the pregnancy, appointments were monthly but became biweekly closer to the due date.

Each visit to our private gynecologist costs about ₹800 to ₹1,200 ($10 to $14). By the end, it added up to around ₹10,000 ($120).

Then came the big one. Delivery.

This was the most unpredictable part of the budget. Delivery costs in India vary wildly. A government hospital may charge under ₹15,000 ($180).

Private hospitals in metro cities can quote anywhere from ₹50,000 to ₹2,50,000 ($600 to $3,000). Depending on the kind of room, the delivery method, and any complications.

We chose a mid-range private hospital, and even with a straightforward delivery, the total bill was around ₹1,50,000 ($1,800). A part of it was covered by health insurance since it had a max limit, and the rest we had to pay

But the expenses don’t end once the baby arrives. That’s when another set of costs kicks in. We had to buy diapers, clothes, swaddles, cradles, bottles, wipes, baby wash, and a sterilizer.

Breast pumps, nipple pads, sanitary pads, and maternity clothes were also used for feeding. I thought we’d keep it minimal. But we touched ₹30,000 ($360) in the first month, even with basic shopping.

One area I hadn’t thought much about beforehand was postpartum recovery. How much I’d need to invest in my healing. We spent about ₹15,000 ($180)a few weeks after the birth on nutrition and traditional massages.

From pregnancy to bringing our baby home, the total cost came around ₹2 and ₹2.5 lakhs ($2,400 to $3,000). Of course, this will vary for every family. Location, lifestyle, and hospital choices play a crucial role.

Also, the total expenses depend on whether you choose a budgeted or a premium plan. We stayed somewhere in between.

If you’re considering having a baby in India, my advice is simple: start preparing early. Look into maternity insurance. Many plans have a one or two-year waiting period. Track your expenses month by month. And ask other parents. Their wisdom is priceless.

Most of all, don’t panic. The expenses are real, yes. But so is the joy. However, strong financial planning is necessary so we can focus on bringing our baby into the world with love, calm, and less stress.

This guide takes you through your baby’s arrival. But that’s only half the story. Once the baby is born, a whole new set of expenses begins. Regular vaccinations, diapers, formula or feeding essentials, monthly pediatric visits, and more.

The financial journey of parenthood doesn’t stop at delivery. It evolves. I’ll cover all that in Part 2, where I break down the costs and realities of the first year with a baby in India.

Stay tuned.

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