This post is part two of a post from 2015.
If you’re interested in reading that first, please click here
So, you’re pregnant… again. Or maybe just still pregnant…
Let me high five/ fist bump/ belly bump you.
I’m so excited for your growing family, and I have more ideas to help ya’ll get through this with a little more left in your pocket 🙂
After much deliberation, I’ve further researched and learned through personal experience how to save a some money while pregnant.
Note: This will not be an exhaustive list, but a list of items
that I have personally tried, or sincerely plan to.
Asking Questions…
It can be quite intimidating to show up month after month to a busy doctor office. You’ve got questions, concerns, or thoughts on your pregnancy, but as your OB flurries into and out of your room, you may feel uncomfortable imposing your thoughts on them. Don’t. This is their job. They are here for you, and in a sense work for you. Come in to your appointments with a list of questions, and go down the line. You’ll feel better and you’ll be able to make decisions about your labor with an informed mind. Your doctor can be a better doctor for you when they know what you are thinking or feeling.
When ever I think I’m pregnant, I confirm it with a blood test. But what I’ve found is that when I have a confirmation blood test, a second blood test is automatically scheduled. It’s standard protocol. At first I went along with it, but the second time around I started asking “Why?” Is it standard procedure or state-required for insurance? I was suprised to find out the second blood test was simply just protocol. So, after talking it over with my husband, I decided that I didn’t want this blood test, and have canceled it. No muss no fuss from the nurses because it isn’t a state requirement, just a protocol of the office. And now I’ve saved a few pregnancy dollars. From that point forward, I’ve learned to ask, “Could you tell me if this is standard protocol or state required?”
When something goes wrong, and it will, because you’re working with people here, ask questions! I was scheduled for a sickle cell test and that was a mistake. The kind nurse taking my blood crossed it off my chart, however when I left, I immediately called the nurses station to confirm this test was removed from my file. I also got the nurse’s name and wrote down the date. This way, if a problem arose later, I was able to give exact facts and dates and names. And ultimately prevent incorrect charges.
When you are sick and pregnant, it’s a tricky road. Your family doctor most likely won’t see you because they aren’t an OB, and neither will an urgent care. So what’s left? The ER. And let me tell you, that is the most expensive chest cold you will ever have. I can say this because it’s happened with BOTH of my children. I’ve gotten sick, thought I could push through it, but my poor baby-makin’ body couldn’t fight like it normally does, and I get serious ear infections, chest congestion and sinus infections. IT’S. THE. WORST. Six weeks later I get a bill for $1500 for a 2-hour stay in the ER, one breathing treatment and a Sudafed. What I’ve learned is that, if I call my OB, tell them my symptoms, and the medicine I’m already taking (which ain’t working), they are happy enough to see me or just call in a safe prescription for me OVER THE PHONE! WOO HOO! No doctor visit, no co pay, just relief 🙂
Are you REALLY in Labor?
Now this is one that is truly hard to prevent/ predict. I, personally, have been guilty of going in to the hospital with both children and NOT being in labor. Nothing is more disappointing than going in to be hooked up to a monitor, sitting for hours, then being told to go home… your baby isn’t coming yet. Unfortunately these are not free visits. They do charge you even if you aren’t in labor. Like 400 or so dollars. So, try to get a pregnant buddy who maybe has like 4 kids to help you determine if it’s real labor or not. For me, it was true that when it really came on, I couldn’t speak through the contractions.
Maternity Clothes
- If you have friends/family who are pregnant or have been recently, this is a great opportunity, as you can share clothes with one another..There is no need to go out and buy a new wardrobe if you can share among friends. That way, all of you can save the money for other needs.
- Check out Goodwill! The only maternity clothing stores in my area are Target, Old Navy, and Motherhood Maternity… so guess what, whenever I search at Goodwill those are the only brands I find. Pretty great! Try to shop on Wednesdays because they give you an extra 15% OFF!
Garage Sales
This sounds silly, but if you can sell some junk, get about $150 or so… doesn’t that help just a little with new baby? I’m not saying sell everything you own to have children, but if you know you have junk that you’ll never use again like me… than you can have a garage sale. I personally get a thrill out of convincing others to by my old jeans and purses. Plus I love to negotiate. Every penny helps!
Freezer Meals
The last thing you’re going to want to do once you bring your little one home is cook dinner… and more so, SHOP. This leads to the temptation to order in food and spend money. Which is not a bad thing, but definitely not something you want to do for 3 months straight. You can avoid this by pre-making meals during the last few weeks of your pregnancy and freezing them. Once you’re home from the hospital, you just have to pull out a meal, warm it up and you’re good to go.
My go-to meals were:
- White bean chicken chili
- Turkey sweet potato chili
- Chicken potato soup
- Pancakes
Hospital Freebies
Take the toiletries. You can often keep some goodies from your hospital stay—namely the baby-care items stored in the cabinet beneath your little one’s rolling bassinet (ask permission). Look inside, and you’ll probably find diapers, swaddling cloths, alcohol swabs, a nasal aspirator, disposable nipples for bottles, a thermometer, and more. Leave them behind and you’ll just have to shell out $30 to $40 later at the drugstore.
Job Changes
If you are changing jobs aka going from DREAM insurance to SCREAM insurance, negotiate with your company and let them know how much it would have previously cost to have a baby compared to now. My husband did this, and his new company offered to pay for half of our hospital bills for one baby.
Okay! That’s my newest list of ways to save while having babies! I hope you teach those pesking insurance people a lesson and get out paying even less this time around!
Good Luck!
