It costs about $18,865 to have a baby in the United States if you have health insurance. This includes the cost of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, according to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation Health System Tracker. Nearly $3,000 of that is paid for out of pocket even if you have health insurance.
While every baby is different, the cost of giving birth in the United States is consistently high. Shouldering that cost can be a challenge for many families, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured, but knowing what expenses to expect can help you prepare.
Key Takeaways
- Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum costs in the United States are some of the highest in the world.
- In 2020, vaginal delivery in the U.S. cost $11,453 on average, while cesarean sections averaged $17,103; these figures do not include the cost of the pregnancy itself nor post-partum care.
- Insurance significantly reduces costs, but pregnancy and birth still cost nearly $3,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.
- Many births are not standard, so prospective parents should be prepared for unexpected birth and postpartum expenses.
Average Cost of Having a Baby in the U.S.
While it is not the only bill associated with having a baby, birth is often the largest.
In the U.S., the average cost of childbirth in 2020 was $13,393. However, costs vary significantly depending on how and where the baby is delivered. The median cost of vaginal delivery ranged from $6,557 in Mississippi to $16,668 in California. Cesarean sections, or C-sections as they are commonly called, are more expensive across the board, with costs ranging from $9,377 in Mississippi to $27,527 in Alaska. These figures do not even include the cost of the actual pregnancy itself nor post-partum care, which can significantly add to the cost.
The exact cost of having a baby is rather hard to predict. Factors like preexisting health conditions and the baby’s spinal development can dramatically increase costs for an otherwise standard birth. Further, having multiple babies will also increase the bill. Don’t forget the cost of doulas, who are not covered by most health insurance, as well as any postpartum support like lactation specialists and therapists for postpartum depression.
Twins or multiple deliveries can cost double or triple the stated figures.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby Outside the US?
It may come as no surprise that the U.S., which spends more on healthcare than any other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) country, is one of the most expensive places in the world to give birth.
A report comparing medical care costs across 10 countries found the median cost of a C-section and vaginal delivery in the U.S. in 2019 was $11,326 and $7,500, respectively. In Switzerland, the next most expensive country, those procedures cost $7,948 and $5,634 on average. The study found that Americans spent nearly twice as much as Australians for childbirth and more than three times as much as their German peers.
And in some countries, giving birth is nearly free. In Finland, for example, visits to public maternity and child health clinics are free, and a public hospital can charge no more than €49.60 a day for occupancy.
How Type of Birth Impacts Cost
In the U.S., the type of birth you have can significantly impact how much it costs.
Vaginal Birth
According to the Peterson-KFF study, the average cost of a pregnancy that results in vaginal birth is $14,768, of which about $2,655 is usually paid out of pocket. This figure includes the cost of the pregnancy and post-partum care. And the average cost of vaginal birth alone exceeds $10,000 in more than half of U.S. states. Vaginal birth expenses include the cost of using a delivery room and nursery, lab work, and medications.
For the uninsured, FAIR Health maintains a tool that estimates healthcare expenses based on ZIP code.
C-section
The average cost of a pregnancy resulting in a C-section is $26,280, of which $3,214 is paid out of pocket, including cost of pregnancy and post-partum care. The average cost of a C-section only is more than $10,000 in all but two states and exceeds $15,000 in 33 states.
A C-section significantly increases the cost of delivery, which requires an operating room, a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and overnight hospitalization. Pregnancies that result in C-sections may also come with higher costs because of the need for more intensive care resulting from complications or preexisting conditions that make the C-section necessary.
Hospital vs. Home Birth
Home births are a low-cost option for those who do not have a history of medical complications. One study estimates that the average cost of home birth—including prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care—was $4,650 in 2021. Home births incur no facility costs and are often performed without medication, which is why they are typically far less expensive than hospital births.
However, since many insurance plans do not cover home birth, people who choose this option may need to pay supervising healthcare providers out of pocket. Those who give birth at home also miss out on potential savings from having other expenses, like infant inoculations or circumcision, bundled in hospital charges. And, of course, anyone planning to give birth at home should budget for the unexpected.
Birthing centers can be a middle-of-the-road option. They are usually more expensive than home birth but less expensive than hospitals. Some accept health insurance, which significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs.
Adoption
According to Child Welfare Information Gateway, adoption costs can range from $0 to $40,000. The wide range covers a variety of adoption procedures, from foster care at the low-cost end ($0 except for legal fees) to private and international adoptions at the high end ($20,000+).
Costs include legal fees, medical care for the birthing parent, travel fees, medical evaluations, and even training for the adoptive parents.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby Without Health Insurance?
The Affordable Care Act requires that all qualified employer-sponsored and private health insurance plans cover maternal care and childbirth. Though what exactly is covered and how much you pay out of pocket depends on the plan, health insurance significantly reduces the cost of pregnancy.
Without insurance, birth parents are expected to pay the full cost of doctor visits, medications, and childbirth, which can easily add up to tens of thousands of dollars without financial assistance. According to data provided to Investopedia by FAIR Health, providers consistently bill much more for childbirth than insurers and insured patients pay. The median allowed cost of a C-section in the U.S. is about $15,900, but the median amount charged by providers is more than $35,500.
For those without private or employer-sponsored insurance, Medicaid covers pregnancy for low-income people in every state, though eligibility criteria vary widely. Some states even cover pregnancy through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), accommodating more people with an income eligibility cutoff higher than Medicaid.
Financial Assistance Options for Childbirth
Although patients are expected to pay for childbirth, there are more ways to lower healthcare costs than most people think.
Every hospital should have financial assistance policies, and it’s possible to negotiate healthcare costs. Plus, several states have enacted laws that require hospitals to provide free or discounted services to patients below certain income thresholds. Familiarize yourself with these and other laws, outlined in the National Consumer Law Center’s state-by-state guide to medical debtor protection laws.
In addition to financial assistance obtained through the hospital or mandated by law, several federal and state-level programs can assist with medical expenses related to pregnancy.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
In addition to serving children under 5 years old, WIC is a nutrition assistance program that serves pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum people.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP offers low-cost health coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. CHIP eligibility varies by state, but CHIP covers pregnant people in nearly half of all states.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention can connect you with your area’s health department to find financial assistance programs.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby in the U.S. Without Insurance?
The cost of childbirth can vary depending on the type of birth and geographic location within America, but for those without insurance it can cost around $13,000 to $14,000. If you have complications that price can skyrocket.
How Much Should I Save Before Having a Baby?
To ensure you have enough of a financial cushion, some experts recommend your emergency fund contain at least $20,000. Even if you have insurance, you will need enough cash to cover your deductible plus what you will need to cover any co-pays your insurance requires. Take a close look at your out-of-pocket maximum. This is the highest amount you will be expected to pay in a single year. Once you hit that amount, insurance will cover the rest, but only so long as you are in the hospital. Once you get home, you’ll need funds for diapers, formula, and other baby equipment and furniture.
What Does it Cost to Raise a Child?
From the day you give birth to the day a child turns 18, you can expect to spend about $310,605 — or about $17,000 a year, according to a Brookings Institution analysis of data from the U.S. Agriculture Department.
The Bottom Line
Childbirth in the U.S. is an expensive undertaking, especially compared to other rich countries. C-sections tend to be more expensive than vaginal births, and giving birth in a hospital is usually more expensive than a home birth. Insurance can go a long way to limit the costs of childbirth. Even so, expectant parents should consult with their insurance and healthcare providers well in advance of their due date to create a budget that accounts for medications, facilities, healthcare providers, and the unexpected.
Uninsured parents may be eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, both of which will assist with childbirth costs. Several states have also enacted laws that require hospitals to provide financial assistance to patients with income below certain thresholds. Anyone facing overwhelming bills can speak with their state’s or community’s health department for help navigating the specific financial assistance programs available to them.
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