Adding a new tiny member to the family can be exciting and stressful at the same time. You should not forget the fact that there are financial costs attached to this decision.
You need medical attention during pregnancy and birth. These costs can vary depending on multiple factors, but having an idea of what the costs are might help you make a plan beforehand.
This is the most expensive event related to the first years of your child. Keeps reading to find out what you should expect to pay for your childbirth.
Type of Birth
In the United States, the average cost a parent has to pay for having a baby is around $10,000 if there are no complications. Taking into account the care given after and before pregnancy, the total sum can increase to $30,000.
Between vaginal birth and cesarean section, the latter is about half as used as the natural delivery. A C-section operation requires anesthesia, more days in the hospital for recuperation, and, of course, higher costs. There can be an increase in the price of $1,500 to $3,000 for a C-section. A natural delivery takes from your pocket around $2,000-$2,600, while a cesarean goes to about $4,500.
The most expensive type of birth is a natural delivery that has complications and needs an operating room. It can almost double the final bill averaging 7,000 dollars.
The cost of giving birth depends a lot on the state. Considering the tests, check-ups, and the care needed for a pregnancy, the prices are as follows.
- $5,000 to $11,000 for a vaginal birth
- $7,500 to $14,500 for a C-section
The obstetrician and anesthesiologist fees were included in these prices. Complications, on the other side, will increase the charges for both of these deliveries.
Health and Safety for Child and Mother
Complications can appear, and there isn’t much that you can do to stop that from happening. One thing you can do is to be prepared by having a healthcare team that is well aware of everything that occurred during pregnancy, allergies, medications, and any health problems that the parents have.
All of these pieces of information can help the doctor make the best decisions during complications, so be sure to talk a lot with your doctor and let him know about your medical history.
Any health condition that the mother has can be an important factor in the chances of having complications. On average, health conditions increase the delivery costs; for example, someone with diabetes will pay, on average, 55% more than a healthy person.
The complications that are most common and that also add something to the final bill are below.
- dangerous positioning of the umbilical cord
- blood pressure that is not regular
- amniotic fluids embolisms
- premature rupture of the amniotic sac
- problems breathing
Premature Birth
Happening to about 1 in 8 pregnancies, premature birth occurs before the baby’s estimated birth date with more than three weeks. On average, a child born prematurely or with a low weight adds 11 times more costs to the hospital payment than a newborn without problems.
If you know the symptoms and you are careful to avoid the risk factors that might accelerate your premature labor, the chances of having such a complication decreases exponentially.
Talk to your doctor about these problems beforehand and see what the recommendations given by a specialized person are. There is also medication that can be taken, with the doctor accord, to stop uterine contractions.
Health Insurance Coverage
The first thing you should do is check to see if your insurance covers the costs of childbirth along with the baby’s nursery care. Keep an eye on your co-pay and percentage covered when you have met your deductible.
Changing insurance plans is recommended before the end of your pregnancy, as some health insurance plans can deny you the maternity coverage.
There are insurance plans that require you to pre-authorize coverage for the newborn or call them when arriving at the hospital to give birth. They may refuse coverage if these points have not been met.
Summary
A joyous experience that will change your life forever also comes with an expensive price tag. Try to be as prepared as possible when deciding to have a baby; a financial advisor can prove to be the thing you need for a smooth transition.
