Here's How Much It Costs To Have A Baby In The US

The United States Census Bureau records the U.S. population at 334,233,854 people as of January 2023, an additional 1,571,393 more than on New Year's Day 2022. When people think about factoring children into their lives, they often consider the impact of newborns on things like sleep loss, schedule changes, and dirty diapers. If finances are thought of at all, it revolves more around the cost of raising a child to adulthood.

However, the cost of pregnancy and bringing a child to term has its own unique costs attached, and you can't avoid them if you want to give your unborn child a chance of a healthy birth. Healthcare debt is a lesser-known form of debt than credit cards or college tuition, but it's become more pervasive, particularly for uninsured, working-class families. About 41% of adult Americans are feeling the crushing effect of debt from medical bills.

Underinsured families face higher mortality rates, with Black and Hispanic mothers experiencing racial and economic barriers to care being at higher risk. Standard medical equipment for monitoring pregnancies, like sonograms, often isn't covered by insurance and can add an extra $200 to $650 per visit depending on where you live. As such, being prepared for the cost of having a baby has huge implications.

The coverage of expenses during pregnancy is further proof that having a baby can cost a pretty penny even before the child is born. The cost of pregnancy is cumulative, with everything from blood and fetal monitoring, transportation to and from visits, and the cost of an average dozen visits to your care provider added to your growing bill. Seeing an obstetrician averages $90 to $500 per visit and lab tests can run you as much as $100 per test.

Prenatal vitamins, baby accessories, and childbirth classes are costs to consider alongside the bill for regular checkups. If your insurer doesn't provide upfront coverage for any medical stuff, you will be on the hook for the deductible. If you don't have insurance, those expenses become yours. A few ways to manage expenses related to pregnancy if you are uninsured include shopping around for over-the-counter prenatal vitamins, and having a plan with your doctor about what you do and don't need to pay for before and during labor. If you can afford it, you can also purchase health insurance from the open marketplace. You may even be eligible for subsidies toward paying the premium if your household income is less than four times that of the national poverty line. Medicaid offers a solution if you live below a specific income determined by your state, that allows you Medicaid coverage with minimal out-of-pocket expenses.

Once you get to the hospital, a straightforward vaginal birth is the most cost-effective way to have a baby (of course, the option often isn't a choice). The Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker put the average total cost of a vaginal delivery at $14,768, while the average deductible sits around $2,854. Although the cost varies from state to state — Mississippi costing the lowest and California clocking in at the highest in 2020 — the U.S. is the most expensive country in the world to have a baby.

You can help to offset costs by doing research through your insurer and doctor about the unforeseen costs of childbirth, and what and how much is covered in your state before the day comes. Remember, you're paying for your OB/GYN, any other medical staff like nurses or anesthesiologists, medical equipment, and your hospital bed. Birthing centers are appropriate for low-risk deliveries and can provide a cheaper labor experience than a hospital. Ask about payment plans available by the hospital to help keep your expenses manageable with or without insurance coverage. Another option for low-risk pregnancies is home birth through a doula. The average cost of a home birth is $4,650, which is about three-and-a-half times less than the cost of giving birth in a hospital. 

Complications during childbirth add an extra cost to delivery, often requiring additional care to keep the mother and baby safe. The most common complications include vaginal tearing, abnormal heartbeat for the baby, and excessive bleeding due to the uterus not getting out of the placenta's way during childbirth. Complications can double the cost of the average vaginal birth and add thousands more to C-section procedures. Babies born prematurely can multiply the cost of healthcare tenfold. In other words, the cost of complications during childbirth can be both life-changing and budget-draining. The best way to avoid this physical, emotional, and financial trauma is to listen to your doctor. Taking care of yourself or your partner during pregnancy by avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs is one way to minimize the chances of complications later. Expectant mothers with diabetes, obesity, or chronic pain tended to be among the one in nine births with complications in the U.S., with out-of-pocket childbirth costs that were $1,000 to $2,200 more expensive than deliveries without complications.