With a five-digit monthly salary, Wu Jian didn't feel the pinch of mounting maternity costs as much as less well-off couples do. The costs of regular medical examinations for the duration of the pregnancy add up to a moderate RMB 2,000. But the many, many hidden costs ensure Wu's wallet rarely stays closed.
Living in a world of electromagnetic waves, every expectant mother today armors herself with a radiation-proof gown. These are priced from RMB 500 to 600. Several maternity outfits also have to be factored into the budget, as the pregnant belly goes through its various stages.
