Giving Birth at Home: Risks, Benefits, and Costs

Table of Content

• Insurance Plan Features to Consider for Giving Birth
• Money Moves to Consider If You Have a Family
• Average out-of-pocket costs for childbirth by state
• Molar Pregnancy: Everything You Need to Know About This Pregnancy Complication
• What Happens If You Can’t Pay Your Medical Bills After Childbirth?
• When is the worst time to get pregnant to maximize my insurance coverage?
• Should You Avoid Artificial Sweeteners During Pregnancy?

From the What to Expect editorial team andHeidi Murkoff,author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy. It is generally recommended that singleton, breech babies (those positioned feet- or butt-first) deliver via a C-section to protect the baby and the mother. As midwives, we understand how complicated healthcare costs can be, and we strongly believe in transparency when it comes to the costs of your care.

For low-risk pregnancies and births, a birthing center is a great alternative to a hospital or home birth. My midwife cost $3,500, which included all prenatal visits and one postpartum visit at six weeks. I needed to spend my $3,000 deductible before my insurance would begin contributing, but that easily covered it. She labored at home for nearly the entire time, going to the birthing center only about two hours before her daughter was born. Your hospital charges could be much more expensive if there are complications during the delivery or if you need specialty care or monitoring after birth. Having a baby is one of the most momentous experiences of your life, but it can also be one of the most expensive.

Insurance Plan Features to Consider for Giving Birth

You will need various tests, including routine blood work, a glucose test, genetic testing, ultrasounds and other screenings, which affect the cost of having a baby. A postpartum doula, if you hire one, specializes in helping families after the baby's born. They will likely charge by the hour; their rate varies from $25 to $65 an hour depending on your location. The organization DONA International can help you find a postpartum doula through its online doula locator. It’s a daunting but rewarding process deciding to have a home birth, figuring out insurance in’s and out’s and finding the perfect midwife for you but it is very much worth it. It costs significantly less money, has so many benefits, plus it’s natural; the way mother nature intended.

The average price of hospital birth in North Dakota is $9,255, almost 40% below the national average. It costs $17,961 to give birth in New Mexico hospitals, on average. In New Hampshire, the average price for labor and delivery care is $11,491. It costs an average of $21,239 to give birth in a Nevada hospital. It costs an average of $12,711 to give birth in Michigan hospitals. It costs an average of $17,168 to deliver a baby in an Indiana hospital.

Money Moves to Consider If You Have a Family

And as these families weigh the personal and safety concerns of home births, cost should similarly be at the forefront of their minds. You can walk around and be as active as you like, and wear what you want. You even get to eat a light meal or snack and drink during and after labor .

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should try to pack 30 people in the room! Natural birth advocates often recommend limiting the number of people who are present, as having too many people around can be a distraction and make labor take longer. Remember, those who miss the live event can catch the replay via photos or video recordings, which are welcome at birthing centers.

Average out-of-pocket costs for childbirth by state

In some countries, like the Netherlands and parts of Canada, many babies are delivered at home. Well-trained, hospital-supported healthcare workers attend these home births. This is considered an “integrated system.” Studies confirm that home births in such an integrated midwifery system are safe.

The true cost of giving birth depends on many factors, like the type of birth you have and your location. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Start by taking these steps to determine what the cost would be for your particular situation. I created this site to share our experiences and help other natural seeking mommas like you and I to have a collective resource to answer all of our questions. Hospitals sometimes charge you for doctor consults that last all of 1 minute and consist of 1 to 2 questions.

What Factors Into the Cost of Giving Birth?

Choosing to have your baby at home is a deeply personal decision, one often rooted in moral beliefs and weighed carefully against safety concerns. But with few insurance policies covering home birth and prices varying dramatically across the country, expectant parents planning a home birth can’t afford to make cost an afterthought. A birth center is a low-tech birthing option for moms-to-be who desire a an unmedicated childbirth experience. Usually, birth centers are freestanding facilities, but sometimes they’re adjacent to or inside a hospital. If you haven't done so before, consider taking a childbirth class to help you prepare, so you know what to expect during labor and delivery. Such a class also can give you time to talk with other expectant parents and come up with more questions or topics to consider for your birth plan.

"But, it is more attractive and accessible to the economically privileged, regardless of race or ethnicity." One major insurance company that DOES cover planned home births is United Health Care, provided that it follows the requirement set forth here. The great news is, many health insurance companies do cover a home birth. As a matter of a fact, your current health insurance plan may have home birth coverage so make sure to call and discuss this with your carrier. Home birth photography is a wonderful way to capture the difficult, beautiful experience of labor and delivery and the incredible first few moments of your child’s new life. The desire to be in a comfortable, calming environment surrounded only by trusted family and support-team members is a major contributor to many people’s decision to give birth at home.

There may also be state-specific grants or financial assistance programs. A representative from your hospital’s billing department can likely provide some options if you need financial aid after childbirth. You have a few options if you deliver a baby and can’t afford to pay the medical bills. The American College of Nurse-Midwives makes the process so simple.

If you have the opportunity to switch carriers before your child is born, take the time to compare the different plans offered through your and your partner’s employer. American ranks #1 in terms of highest cost of giving birth, so any coverage you can get to offset that hefty bill will lift a huge burden off your shoulders. The AAP suggests that there be at least one person present during the birth whose primary responsibility is caring for your newborn. This person should have the appropriate training, skills and equipment to perform a full resuscitation of the infant. In many cases, this person could be your midwife — assuming you don't need immediate attention post-birth. He or she will check your baby's vitals and should be able to assist with any breastfeeding problems.

What Happens If You Can’t Pay Your Medical Bills After Childbirth?

At a hospital, on the other hand, your movements could be limited , food is restricted in the event you choose to have an epidural and you’ll likely have to give birth lying on your back on the bed. Birth centers always provide private rooms for expectant mothers. Birth centers usually have soft lighting, a queen or double bed, a television, a rocking chair, couches for family and friends and a shower, Jacuzzi tub and, sometimes, a kitchen.

Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. If your tub isn't large enough for you to labor in, you might consider purchasing one online. Birthing pools are generally less expensive to own than rent these days.