Cost of a having a baby?

[SomeRandom]

So I’ve heard a lot about the cost of giving birth. Specifically in the US.
Which is insane to anyone in a developed nation outside the US, to be completely honest
But I think it’s pertinent to the discussion thanks to recent events
(ahem R v W ahem)
So how much does it cost you to give birth in your country?

And if abortion is outlawed at the federal level where you live, meaning it’s subject to the states of your country rather than a federal matter, do you think any costs of childbirth should therefore be assumed by the federal government?
As a sort of compromise?

Have at it but please be respectful

 

[The Hammer]

Birthing a child in the US is actually a fairly costly endeavor. And this is not including prenatal care either, OBGYN visits, ultrasounds and checkups.

Average Childbirth Costs & How to Pay With Health Insurance.

"In the U.S., the average cost of a vaginal birth is $13,024, including standard predelivery and postdelivery expenses such as facility fees and doctor fees. A cesarean section (C-section) is much more expensive, costing an average of $22,646 including standard predelivery and postdelivery expenses."

Let's also not forget how much it costs to raise a child. Let alone birth one.

"In the US, the average cost of raising a child through the age of 17 is $233,610. This figure is based on data compiled in the most recent Expenditures on Children by Families report completed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)."

Cost of Raising a Child | Bankrate.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I'll be interested in replies, since obviously I'm Aussie as well. Worth noting, the cost of the birth is not much compared to the cost of raising a kid. Public schooling and health, affordable housing options, insurance...lots of basic needs to meet. And the cost of a 'standard' birth will vary greatly from one where there are complications, etc.

Vaginal births in Australia cost around $7000 (USD) and C-sections at a tick over $10000.
The article notes that this makes Australia the second most expensive place to have a baby in a survey of 14 developed countries. USA being first most expensive.
What is the cost of childbirth in Australia? (sbs.com.au)

Some theoretical costs of raising children in Australia, in case anyone is interested.
AMP-NATSEM.pdf (goldsborough.com.au)

 

[SomeRandom]

Birthing a child in the US is actually a fairly costly endeavor. And this is not including prenatal care either, OBGYN visits, ultrasounds and checkups.

Average Childbirth Costs & How to Pay With Health Insurance.

"In the U.S., the average cost of a vaginal birth is $13,024, including standard predelivery and postdelivery expenses such as facility fees and doctor fees. A cesarean section (C-section) is much more expensive, costing an average of $22,646 including standard predelivery and postdelivery expenses."

Let's also not forget how much it costs to raise a child. Let alone birth one.

"In the US, the average cost of raising a child through the age of 17 is $233,610. This figure is based on data compiled in the most recent Expenditures on Children by Families report completed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)."

Cost of Raising a Child | Bankrate.

Is there any sort of rebate scheme for low income households?
Like in Australia Medicare (our universal health insurance) usually covers birth, pre and post natal costs for those who use public hospitals. So you can end up paying up to 1,500 AUD, it just depends on how much your household earns yearly. Some people don’t have to pay at all

In addition we have rebate schemes (folks who get money back) if the household earns under a specific amount for the year.
It costs a lot more through our private healthcare schemes, truth be told.

 

[The Hammer]

Is there any sort of rebate scheme for low income households?
Like in Australia Medicare (our universal health insurance) usually covers birth, pre and post natal costs for those who use public hospitals. So you can end up paying, it just depends on how much your household earns yearly.
With rebate schemes (folks get money back) if the household earns under a specific amount for the year.
It costs a lot more through our private healthcare schemes, truth be told.

Not as far as I know. But I'm not well versed on that aspect of healthcare, being my care is socialized. I don't think there is any sort of rebate.

 

[SomeRandom]

Not as far as I know. But I'm not well versed on that aspect of healthcare, being my care is socialized. I don't think there is any sort of rebate.

Oh that’s a shame then

 

[JustGeorge]

I got pregnant at 20. I was pretty poor, and it wasn't intentional. However, the cost was nil. In my state, those who are pregnant and without insurance are almost always covered by state insurance, which is quite thorough. Hell, I could even see a chiropractor to help with the pain! They won't pay for alternative birthing methods, but my entire delivery, plus all prenatal care was saw to. The care for my new baby(who is now 16!) was completely covered, and still is. After 6 weeks, though, I lost that insurance, but thankfully, he didn't.

I wasn't in great financial shape when my next was born 7 years later, either. However, same scenario. My husband works for a mom and pop place that will never offer insurance. During the Obama era, though, some of the guidelines changed, and at my 6 weeks postpartum, I didn't totally lose insurance, but got a less complete form(which is still quite nice).

My sister chose to give birth to one of her kids(as opposed to aborting) because she needed the insurance, and I've had a friend with medical conditions ponder getting pregnant because she needed 9 months of insurance...

 

[SomeRandom]

I got pregnant at 20. I was pretty poor, and it wasn't intentional. However, the cost was nil. In my state, those who are pregnant and without insurance are almost always covered by state insurance, which is quite thorough. Hell, I could even see a chiropractor to help with the pain! They won't pay for alternative birthing methods, but my entire delivery, plus all prenatal care was saw to. The care for my new baby(who is now 16!) was completely covered, and still is. After 6 weeks, though, I lost that insurance, but thankfully, he didn't.

I wasn't in great financial shape when my next was born 7 years later, either. However, same scenario. My husband works for a mom and pop place that will never offer insurance. During the Obama era, though, some of the guidelines changed, and at my 6 weeks postpartum, I didn't totally lose insurance, but got a less complete form(which is still quite nice).

My sister chose to give birth to one of her kids(as opposed to aborting) because she needed the insurance, and I've had a friend with medical conditions ponder getting pregnant because she needed 9 months of insurance...

Wait… you need to get pregnant for insurance purposes?
How does that work?
Like you need to have a medical issue to justify the premiums or something like that?
Just curious

 

[JustGeorge]

Wait… you need to get pregnant for insurance purposes?
How does that work?
Like you need to have a medical issue to justify the premiums or something like that?
Just curious

Lets say you don't qualify for insurance. You work at some place that pays a low wage, or you're married to someone who brings in some money, and the state has decided you make too much to receive state insurance. You have some problems with your joints and need to be seen, but there's no way you make enough to cover the medical care for that, as you'll likely need to go in to a doctor numerous time before the problem is resolved... But, if you are pregnant, you'll have insurance for the time you're carrying, so you can have it seen to then! Nine months of being able to have your medical needs met...

I made that example up, but if I remember right, my sister continued her pregnancy because of
needing to see a dentist(for numerous issues), and other mild but ongoing health complaints.

 

[SomeRandom]

Lets say you don't qualify for insurance. You work at some place that pays a low wage, or you're married to someone who brings in some money, and the state has decided you make too much to receive state insurance. You have some problems with your joints and need to be seen, but there's no way you make enough to cover the medical care for that, as you'll likely need to go in to a doctor numerous time before the problem is resolved... But, if you are pregnant, you'll have insurance for the time you're carrying, so you can have it seen to then! Nine months of being able to have your medical needs met...

I made that example up, but if I remember right, my sister continued her pregnancy because of
needing to see a dentist(for numerous issues), and other mild but ongoing health complaints.

Oh I see
Interesting
We have somewhat similar manoeuvres in order to qualify for certain “benefits” in our medicare system too, let’s say.
But nothing like that truth be told.
I’m honestly kind of impressed

 

[JustGeorge]

Oh I see
Interesting
We have somewhat similar manoeuvres in order to qualify for certain “benefits” in our medicare system too, let’s say.
But nothing like that truth be told.
I’m honestly kind of impressed

People complain about other people doing stuff like that here, but those that are complaining have never been in that place where seeing a doctor is an unobtainable goal...

 

[SomeRandom]

People complain about other people doing stuff like that here, but those that are complaining have never been in that place where seeing a doctor is an unobtainable goal...

Yeah that’s fair enough
Here everyone sees the doctor regardless
(Granted that’s decreased due to recent events which has placed our healthcare workers under a lot of stress.)
But yeah it’s unfathomable to many to not being able to see a doctor. Maybe unless you live in the middle of nowhere but still

 

[Estro Felino]

The answer is obvious.
I think it would be absolutely unacceptable if a US state outlawed abortion and still expected women to pay for their own hospital bills.
It would be utterly incoherent.

Does it happen?
If it does, I am mystified.


Btw, in my country there is the NHS.
The notion of healthcare insurance (you know ...like car insurance) doesnt exist in our culture.
Health is not cars.

 

[JustGeorge]

The answer is obvious.
I think it would be absolutely unacceptable if a US state outlawed abortion and still expected women to pay for their own hospital bills.
It would be utterly incoherent.

Does it happen?
If it does, I am mystified.

I'm interested to hear from other states...

I'm in Iowa, which is considered 'purple', but has been leaning red for a long time.

Which state you're in can make a big difference for these things.

 

[Estro Felino]

I'm interested to hear from other states...

I'm in Iowa, which is considered 'purple', but has been leaning red for a long time.

Which state you're in can make a big difference for these things.

It's a relief that each state chooses autonomously, as for healthcare policies.

 

[Aupmanyav]

In my country (India) it ranges from 'nil' to 'hundreds of thousand of dollars' depending upon the financial background of the family.

"In the U.S., the average cost of a vaginal birth is $13,024, including standard predelivery and postdelivery expenses such as facility fees and doctor fees. A cesarean section (C-section) is much more expensive, costing an average of $22,646 including standard predelivery and postdelivery expenses."
"In the US, the average cost of raising a child through the age of 17 is $233,610. This figure is based on data compiled in the most recent Expenditures on Children by Families report completed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)."

In West, even a funeral costs thousands of dollars. It may cost USD 100 or less here (if the wood is gathered by relatives). All you need is about 2 quintals of firewood.
I think Muslim burials cost even less. All that is needed is a bed with four legs and a pit 3' x 6'.

 

[SomeRandom]

The answer is obvious.
I think it would be absolutely unacceptable if a US state outlawed abortion and still expected women to pay for their own hospital bills.
It would be utterly incoherent.

I totally agree with you.
Alas, I’ve heard many stories from US folks about needing to pay for childbirth and even for “skin to skin contact” which is unfathomable to a country that does not have for profit healthcare like the states. So pretty much the rest of the developed world really
(Sorry America, I still love you!!)

Does it happen?
If it does, I am mystified.

Apparently
Not always, as this thread has shown me. To my great relief
But yeah it apparently does

Btw, in my country there is the NHS.
The notion of healthcare insurance (you know ...like car insurance) doesnt exist in our culture.
Health is not cars.

Same. We call it medicare though lol

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I totally agree with you.
Alas, I’ve heard many stories from US folks about needing to pay for childbirth and even for “skin to skin contact” which is unfathomable to a country that does not have for profit healthcare like the states. So pretty much the rest of the developed world really
(Sorry America, I still love you!!)

The vibe I get from you in these type of threads is more that you think American citizens are not getting the care and coverage they should be, rather than any level of 'non-love' for America. Certainly when I complain about the high drug costs in the US compared to other countries, that is my frame of mind. It's not trying to denigrate Americans.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Same. We call it medicare though lol

I think (although @Estro Felino would know much better than me) that Italian state healthcare goes a little further than medicare in some respects. Same basic concept, of course, but I think a system like ours that encourages people over a certain age to have private healthcare via tax incentives isn't in place in Italy. There is a higher proportion of people 'just' having state healthcare, including even foreign nationals (I don't really understand it in detail, but I think non-EU residents can apply to be covered at a pretty reasonable cost). I'm basing all of this on a grand total of a week in Italy in recent times...lol

 

[Estro Felino]

I think (although @Estro Felino would know much better than me) that Italian state healthcare goes a little further than medicare in some respects. Same basic concept, of course, but I think a system like ours that encourages people over a certain age to have private healthcare via tax incentives isn't in place in Italy. There is a higher proportion of people 'just' having state healthcare, including even foreign nationals (I don't really understand it in detail, but I think non-EU residents can apply to be covered at a pretty reasonable cost). I'm basing all of this on a grand total of a week in Italy in recent times...lol

It's like the British NHS. In fact it is called National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale).
It's exactly like you said. Btw non-residents don't pay either, if it deals with emergencies.