From what I understand, the estimated cost given during financial counselling is usually a mid-range figure, not a guaranteed cap, so the final bill can come in lower or higher depending on how your delivery goes. If you end up needing more pain relief doses or have a longer stay, it can push the total up, but if everything goes smoothly and quickly, some mums do end up paying less than the estimate. I would ask the financial counsellor specifically whether that figure is a minimum, average, or ceiling, because it really does vary case by case. It is also worth checking how much your insurance or Medisave can offset, since that makes a big difference to the out-of-pocket amount.