Average Cost of Childbirth

According to a recent March of Dimes report, the average cost of childbirth is over $3,000 higher for a Cesarean delivery than a vaginal delivery. This cost difference is not passed on to the insured consumer, however, as the difference in out-of-pocket costs between the two types of deliveries was only about $60. Even though the cost differences are not as pronounced for the insured person as for the insurance company, these rising costs still matter.

A newborn baby is evaluated just after birth.

Cesarean birth is a surgical procedure, so it requires more specialized staff and more intensive care. One or more obstetricians capable of performing the surgery have to be present at a Cesarean delivery, as well as nurses to assist the obstetricians doing the surgery and an anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist has to be present during the birth to ensure that the anesthesia works properly and that the mother and her baby are not experiencing any serious side effects from the medication. In addition, there will also be one or two pediatric nurses to care for the baby after he or she is born.

Each medication and instrument used in a Cesarean delivery has an associated charge, as does the use of the operating room and the care immediately before and after the surgery itself. The hospital stay is also longer for a Cesarean birth, which also drives up the associated costs.

Insurance companies are in business to make money. To keep their profits strong, insurance companies have to keep their costs down as much as possible. Higher costs for medical treatment for pregnancy and childbirth mean that the insurance companies have to increase prices somewhere else. This translates into higher prices for employers purchasing group health plans and larger premiums and deductibles for covered employees.

While some situations require an emergency or even a planned c-section, others are scheduled simply due to a mother’s uncertainty about vaginal birth or fears about the pain and difficulty of labor. This rise in elective c-sections means higher costs for both private health insurance companies and public health programs like Medicaid. The higher number of planned Cesarean sections will raise the average cost of childbirth in the United States and pregnant women will eventually begin to see a corresponding rise in the costs of obtaining health insurance. Some employers may elect to not offer maternity coverage on their health plans due to the high costs and the coverage offered may be less than complete.

Moms want the best for their little ones and getting cost-effective pregnancy care should not mean sacrificing quality. What pregnant moms can do is ask questions about all aspects of their prenatal care. Make sure each test and procedure has a clear-cut purpose and know that all patients have the right to refuse certain medical treatments.

Women with complicated pregnancies may want to research the standards of care for their particular condition. Know how recommended treatments will affect both mother and baby and what standards of care exist within the medical community for the diagnosed pregnancy complication.

Opportunities abound to cut costs associated with labor and childbirth. Moms who have had uncomplicated pregnancies may choose to let labor begin on its own, eliminating the need for a sometimes costly induction that may be difficult for both mom and baby. Some moms even choose not to use pain medications during their labors, using breathing techniques, visualization, and music to cope with the pain of labor. With no anesthesia, the associated costs of the IV or epidural catheter insertion and the anesthesiologist’s own charges are eliminated. Also, the newborn may be more alert after an unmedicated or natural birth, making the need for resuscitation and specialized newborn care less likely.

The most important factor in making pregnancy and childbirth decisions should be the health and safety of mother and child with financial concerns far lower in priority. Every mom and baby deserves high-quality medical care at reasonable prices and moms should understand the purpose of each test, procedure, and medical intervention that is recommended by their doctor in order to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their babies.

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