Hand over the Credit Card.

Seeing as our first poll which gathered your opinions on how much it cots to have a baby these days is now concluded, I thought I'd give readers a summary of what we have paid for since embarking on this great journey of human life.

Note to potential dads out there: Although you may have private health insurance, don't get caught out like me thinking that every bill is taken care of. You'd think that for all that money you pour in you wouldn't have to pay for anything. How wrong I was! Private health insurance basically covers the hospital. All other costs are at your own expense. Some give a mediocre medicare rebate.

Here we go:
Ultrasounds are essential and very exciting but at $300 a pop x minimum of two you are looking at some serious pesos. By the way you get a free book at the centre we went to! (See Daddy Dilemmas post no. 2: ‘The $300 baby book’).
Medicare rebate approx $120 each (from memory)

Gyno: The Perfect Wingman doesn’t come cheap!
20 Week deposit was $3300. Medicare rebate just over $1000 (from memory).
Balance due at delivery$ 1700.
Plus factor in approximately 10 Antenatal visits @ $80 a pop. Medicare rebate for each is approx $32. Editor's note: Gyno visits last about 5-10 minutes.

Blood tests: Thank God I don’t have to go through with them as I faint at the site of anything sharp being held by a scary woman with rubber gloves, however the ladies will have to undergo a few. Prices: vary. Latest bill to detect gestational diabetes $168.50 (haven't paid it yet - waiting to clear the credit card.) Editor's note - Wifey is all good. Medicare rebate: various, but don't get too excited!

Anaesthetist: Kos is pretty sure that she’ll want the epidural. Priceless for her, but should be around $1000 for those of us who won't appreciate its power (read: all men).

I'll tally all costs once our baby is with us. Ladies, Don't get antsy that I am only thinking about the cost. Our little bundle of joy will be priceless and worth all the $$$ in the world. It just came as a shock to me that it was so damn expensive.

NEW POLL: Something much simpler this time. Is Kos having a boy or a girl? Vote NOW!