In Nigeria, the cost of delivering a child is not high, in relation to costs abroad but even though the actual hospital delivery of a baby might be cheap, having a baby is really expensive especially in the current Nigerian economy.
When one considers the whole picture involved from when a child is conceived to the actual delivery and even after, one has to plan well financially to have a child.
Expectant parents will have to decide on the ideal hospital based on costs and what the hospital can offer. The care given by the medical team in a private medical institution in Nigeria is far better than is obtainable from government hospitals(based on personal experience and the experiences of close friends). I mean reputable private hospitals not any cubicle called a maternity home.
Some hospitals offer epidural and a decision has to be made based on whether the mother wants one and can afford it, so that hospitals offering this around her is located.
Ante-natal registration also needs consideration. Various hospitals have fees to be paid on ante-natal days apart from the initial cost of registration and the prices differ. Government hospitals most times need blood donation, either as a prerequisite for ante-natal registration or as a condition while being admitted before delivery.
I hear some state governments have made ante-natal and delivery free but I don't know how true this is.
A lot of decisions are to be taken before a child is born and a lot of them are money related or based on personal choices.
Some people prefer giving birth in homes owned by known local midwives, retired nurses and midwives and such. But I don't know anything about the cost and the care available in such places.
One has to have a budget and decide on the hospital to use, months before delivery.
Some of our mothers tend to lean more towards government hospitals citing them as being better because they have professionals/specialists with years of experience as their reason for this preference.
Most of these specialists in government hospitals, also have their private practices or sometimes work in some other private medical institutions. These hospitals should also be considered.
Based on personal experience, the care gotten in a good private hospital is so much more than in a government hospital, federal or state.
For a first time parent, there are things to be bought like
A bassinet/baby bed
Bath set- bath tub and bowls, potty
Baby drawers
Shawls
Blankets and beddings
Baby bag(for outings)
Big water flask
Onesies, vests, pullovers(depending on the weather)
Comfortable cotton clothes
Outing clothes
Cotton wool
Lotions and oils-(shea butter and coconut oil)
Feeding bottle
Sterilizing kit
And some others like caps, scratch mitts, booties etc.
Though most hospitals give their lists, hospital needs are generally:
For the mother-
A couple of bottom down night dresses (for ease in breastfeeding)
Comfortable cotton under wears
Sanitary pads
Breast pads
Nursing bra
Toiletries toothpaste, toothbrush, etc
A couple of comfortable clothes and a set to go home in.
-For baby
Cotton wool
Baby lotion and oil, mild baby soap
Shawl/wrapper
Socks, cap, onesies, botton down overalls, baby wipes, small laundry bag, diapers for newborn(a small quantity)
Clothes to go home in
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