New Delhi, Oct. 6 -- Neha Singh, 30, is soon to be a proud mom of a baby. While that is going to be the most joyous moment of her life, she and her husband are aware of the extra expenses that come with it.

She knows how household expenses can go up by 20-30% during pregnancy and after childbirth. "Lifestyle and aftercare costs are prohibitively high in tier-I and tier-II cities; so, we have to use a major chunk of our budget for these expenses," she says.

Welcoming a child brings immense joy to the family, but it also reshapes the monthly budget in ways many couples underestimate.

Maternity expenses can vary widely depending on the city, hospital type, and delivery method. "In a top-tier hospital in Gurugram, costs leading up to deliv...