Ground Report

In this economy, even the women who have planned and planned for a baby are suddenly hit with the information that they are now pregnant without realizing that they do not have a way to pay for anything. All the money saved to prepare for the baby has gone to other things as paychecks get smaller and prices continue to go up, and now you have a million and one things to take care of in the next few months and the reality hits you that the money is no longer there. Fortunately, there are several ways for pregnant women to get around most of the biggest things like doctor bills and even some extra food costs.

            Medicaid is the leading insurance for pregnant women. It is easy to apply for at your local Family Wellness Division or Welfare Office, and covers all the mother’s medical bills from the time she conceived up until 60 days after she gives birth. Also, Medicaid covers the baby from birth until one year old, so the earliest health problems are taken care of and if needed, you can reapply for an extension on coverage after his year has expired.

            WIC is also a good choice for women with limited options as they help you get extra food you may need such as juice, milk, eggs, cheese, and cereal throughout your pregnancy. After the baby is born, the vouchers you receive for this food will change to include juice for the baby, infant cereal, and formula.

            In some areas, such as Northern Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, there are many ways of getting coupons for what is called the “Crib Club”. The Crib Club is set up by the Women’s Care Center and is a way to get a few things for your baby without the extra cost. It is a store, usually nearby the Women’s Care Center, that when you receive coupons you may trade them in for things like clothes, toys, diapers, blankets, formula, even equipment like cribs or bassinets, strollers, or car seats. Usually you can get these coupons at WIC appointments, sometimes at your first prenatal appointment, or by completing certain programs like the childbirth classes at your hospital or the parenting classes at your local care center.
            If you do not have a Crib Club program in your area, there are still ways around having to pay top dollar for everything new. Shop at secondhand stores for maternity and baby clothes. Salvation Army and Goodwill are usually very good for this, along with other thrift stores and garage/yard sales. There will be a few things you may have to get new, and that’s fine, but everything else such as clothes will be used for such a short length of time that you won’t want to put a lot of money into them. 

            For anything else, ask around. Maybe you have a friend who has a baby and she has a bag of clothes that her child just outgrew. If not, maybe your friend has a friend who has some things you could use. If you ask around enough, someone will show up at your door with a box of baby clothes and a few toys that their own kid either doesn’t use or didn’t want. If you can’t find anyone like that to help you, try asking your doctor or the nurses when you go to your appointments. In their line of business, they are sure to know whom you can contact for help if you need something.

            In all, if you look hard enough, there are always ways for pregnant women to get around without much out-of-pocket costs. Personally, my husband and I have spent maybe a total of one hundred dollars throughout my entire pregnancy with the help of these programs, and the reason we even spent that was because we wanted to have something for our son that we actually bought new instead of having everything borrowed or handed down. Everything else was gotten through these programs and it really does help a lot as that money you were trying to save at the start of this article can now go towards things you will need a constant supply of such as diapers, wipes, and formula.