Giving Birth Without Insurance Cost In 2023: How Much Women Pay
Welcoming a tiny human into the world is a truly epic milestone for any woman and it should be that way no matter your address or financial situation. But, unfortunately, we're about to unleash some jaw-dropping truths about the cash game involved and dive into exactly what it means – financially that is – to give birth in the modern-day. Prepare for a wild ride as we take you on a global journey of childbirth costs that'll make your head spin.
Remember, many things factor into your cost of birth no matter where you live, including your level of prenatal care, baby’s care, any specialty care, and more! The cost breakdowns below apply to citizens of the respective country and outline costs to the mother at the point of delivery (i.e. not including government payments or tax contributed to healthcare!).
What factors into the cost of giving birth?
Location
The cost of giving birth without insurance can vary greatly depending on your location. In the United States, for example, the cost can range from $10,000 to $30,000 or more (keep reading below for more on the cost of giving birth in the US), while in some countries with universal healthcare systems, like Canada and the UK, there may be little to no out-of-pocket costs. It's important to research the specific costs in your area and consider all options available to you. We're diving more into each of these countries below.
Prenatal care
Prenatal care is an essential part of ensuring a healthy pregnancy and delivery. However, it can also significantly impact the cost of giving birth. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, ultrasounds, and other tests can add up quickly without insurance coverage. It's important to prioritize prenatal care, but also explore options for financial assistance or low-cost clinics if necessary.
Type of birth or delivery method
The type of birth or delivery method you choose can also impact the total cost of giving birth. A vaginal delivery may be less expensive than a c-section, though there are risks and benefits to both options that should be considered with your healthcare provider.
Hospital charges
The cost of hospital charges can vary widely depending on the facility and location. Researching hospitals in your area and comparing prices can help you make an informed decision about where to give birth. Additionally, some hospitals offer financial assistance or payment plans for those without insurance.
Alternative options:
There are alternative options available for giving birth without insurance, such as midwives, birthing centers, and even at-home births. These options may require additional research and consideration but can be significantly less expensive than traditional hospital births.
Specialty care
Certain medical conditions or complications may require additional specialty care during pregnancy and childbirth. This can include visits to specialists such as obstetricians, neonatologists, and anesthesiologists. These services can add significant costs to your overall bill.
Medication
In addition to the factors mentioned above, the cost of medication during pregnancy and childbirth should also be considered. This can include prenatal vitamins, pain management during labor, and any necessary medications for postpartum care. Discussing any medication needs with your doctor and researching affordable options can help minimize these expenses. Additionally, depending on where you are in the world, some pharmacies offer discount programs for those without insurance, so it’s always worth aksing about these things.
Newborn care
Once your baby is born, there will be additional costs for newborn care. This can include pediatrician visits, immunizations, and any necessary medical care. Again, researching affordable options and discussing your options with doctors and healthcare providers can help minimize these expenses. Additionally, some countries and states offer programs for low-income families to receive free or low-cost healthcare for children.
It's important to remember that if you live in a country without healthcare and don’t have insurance, while giving birth seems overwhelming, there are resources available to help make it more manageable. Don't hesitate to reach out to doctors, hospitals, or community organizations for assistance in navigating this process.
Now we’re going to take a deep dive into the costs of giving birth without insurance in specific countries:
Giving birth without insurance cost in the US
The cost of giving birth in the United States can vary pretty greatly based on where you live and your insurance coverage. According to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health System Tracker, the average cost of giving birth without insurance is around $19,000 for prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for a single birth. The out-of-pocket costs (what you actually pay) for childbirth, either vaginal or cesarean, is on average around $3,000 for those with insurance, but vaginal delivery costs less at around $2,600. Forbes estimates that the average out-of-pocket costs for birth are highest in Nebraska and lowest in Michigan.
What the affordable care act means for out-of-pocket costs when giving birth in the US
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, has made maternity care a mandatory benefit for all health insurance plans. This means that all insurers must cover prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care as part of their package. However, it's essential to note that the specific benefits and cost-sharing will vary depending on the plan's coverage. If you don't have insurance coverage, you might qualify for financial assistance through the ACA marketplace. You can find out more by visiting their website or speaking to an ACA representative.
How does Medicaid help cover costs of giving birth in the US?
Furthermore, it’s estimated that Medicaid, public health insurance in the US, covered more than 4 out of 10 pregnancies in 2021, meaning there were no out-of-pocket costs for prenatal services. You can learn more about this on the Medicaid website.
The health insurance marketplace in the US
The health insurance marketplace in the US is a platform where individuals, families, and small businesses can buy health insurance plans. You can search and compare plans based on your budget and needs. The marketplace also offers financial assistance to those who are eligible, such as premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. It's important to note that enrollment for the marketplace is usually open during a specific period, so you should keep an eye out for deadlines. If you're currently pregnant, special enrollment periods are available to ensure that you can enroll in coverage before giving birth. Don't hesitate to reach out to the marketplace representatives or healthcare professionals for guidance and assistance in choosing the right plan for you and your family. Remember, taking care of your health during pregnancy is crucial, and there are resources available to help make it more affordable.
Giving birth without insurance cost in Canada
Canada has a universal health care system funded through taxes. This means that any Canadian citizen or permanent resident can apply for public health insurance – each province and territory has a different health plan that covers different services and products.
Therefore, giving birth to Canada as a citizen, permanent resident, or international student is only a couple hundred dollars or even completely free under the government’s system. This includes the average hospital stay for new mamas, which after vaginal delivery is 2-3 days and after c-section is 4 days.
If women decide to give birth at home, then costs may be around C$860-C$2,500.
Giving birth without insurance cost in South Africa
In South Africa, the cost of giving birth without insurance varies depending on the facility and type of birth. Public hospitals offer maternity services at no cost to expectant mothers, but the quality of care may vary. Private hospitals and clinics offer more personalized care but can be costly with fees ranging from around R10,000 to R100,000 or more. It's important to note that some private medical aids or insurance plans may cover all or part of the costs for childbirth. Additionally, community-based midwives offer affordable birthing options for those who prefer a more natural approach to childbirth.
Giving birth without insurance cost in India
Technically, all Indian citizens can get free outpatient and inpatient care at government facilities. According to The Commonwealth Fund, “Because of severe shortages of staff and supplies at government facilities, many households seek care from private providers and pay out-of-pocket.” In 2016, over 64% of the total healthcare expenditure in the country was from out-of-pocket expenses.
When it comes to giving birth in India, medical bills can total around 15,000-75,000 Indian Rupees (INR) (around $180-$900 USD) to have a vaginal birth with no Insurance. A c-section will set a family back 25,000-200,000 INR (around $300-$1400 USD). With Insurance, costs vary from 0-25,000 INR, (around $0-$300 USD) for vaginal delivery and 0-150,000 INR for a c-section (around $0-$1800 USD).
To put these costs in perspective, the average household income in India in 2021 was between 12,500 and 50,000 INR, which is around $150 - $600 USD.
Giving birth without insurance cost in the UK
Many European countries have a universal healthcare system that covers the cost of giving birth without insurance being necessary, meaning that women don’t pay up front costs, although they pay taxes that cover healthcare costs.
In the United Kingdom, for example, pregnant women can give birth for free through the National Health Service (NHS), publicly funded healthcare that provides women with free prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care including prenatal appointments, ultrasounds, blood testing, and more. Additional procedures or services that aren’t considered medically necessary may be seen as ‘elective’ and cost additional but this cost is generally still fairly affordable.
Women may even be able to choose between home births, a hospital birth, or even a birthing center led by a midwife depending on their situation and personal preferences. Newborn care is also free in the UK, as well as some support for new parents.
Similarly, in countries like Sweden and Norway with free public healthcare, women can expect to pay little or nothing for childbirth.
Giving birth without insurance cost in France
The public healthcare system in France is funded in three ways: by obligatory social security contributions (usually deducted from your salary), by the government, and by the patient who also pays a small contribution to their healthcare costs.
In France, prenatal visits typically costs around €25 to €100 per appointment, with the government reimbursing 80% of this amount. The total cost for a hospital delivery can vary but is usually around €800 to €2,000. Private options may cost more, ranging from €2,500 to €5,000 or higher.
Giving birth without insurance cost in Australia
In Australia, the cost of giving birth without insurance can vary depending on the state or territory. In general, public hospitals offer free maternal care and delivery services with coverage through Medicare, with additional costs for elective procedures or private rooms.
Private hospitals may cost anywhere from $1,500 to $20,000 or more for delivery and postnatal care, with most costs being covered for those with private medical insurance.
Giving birth without insurance cost in New Zealand
In New Zealand, all citizens, permanent residents, and those with specific visas have access to free healthcare, including maternity care and specialty maternity care. Women can choose to have private maternity care or give birth in a hospital or birthing center, with costs ranging from nothing to around NZD $2,000 for a private room in a public hospital.
The hidden costs of giving birth in developing countries
In 2020, The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in high-income countries to be 12 out of 100,000 live births, compared to 430 out of 100,000 live births in low-income countries.
In 2020, around 95% of maternal deaths occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries. The sad truth is most could have been prevented.
There are 5 major complications that makeup about 75% of all deaths:
High blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia)
Delivery complications
Infections (generally after childbirth)
Severe bleeding (mostly after childbirth)
Unsafe abortion
Unfortunately, trained professionals are often unable to provide proper maternal care in low-to-middle-income countries. Only about two-thirds of births in low-income countries and three-quarters in lower-middle-income countries are assisted by skilled professionals, while almost all births in most high-income and upper-middle-income countries have a trained doctor, midwife, or nurse present.
The Takeaway
The cost of bringing a new life into this world can be a real game-changer, depending on your location. In some countries, scoring affordable or even free healthcare during childbirth is a breeze. But in others, it's a whole different ballgame.
Sadly, in developing countries, lack of access to basic healthcare services and the prospect of a high hospital bill can prevent safe childbirth. By opening up the conversation and being transparent about the cost of giving birth in different countries, you’ll better understand your own situation, your options, and what giving birth entails around the world. Together we can work towards ensuring that every woman, regardless of her financial situation or address, can experience the joy of giving birth safely and with the respect she deserves.
Have a question about giving birth without insurance cost? Leave it in the comments!
Download our app for more healthy living tips in pregnancy and motherhood
