How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby in America?

The United States is one of the most expensive countries in the world in which to have a baby. In fact, research shows that it costs an average of $18,865 to give birth.

That means new parents can end up with significant and worrisome debt just when they need it least—when they should be enjoying stress-free moments at home with their new child.

The figure above includes amounts for expenses associated with pregnancy, birth, and post-partum services. However, it can vary based on the type of delivery you have, where you deliver, and whether or not you’re insured.

Types of Births

Careful planning can help control the medical expenses you can incur when having a baby. The greatest of these by far is the delivery.

Vaginal

The cost of a vaginal or natural birth can be high. Research from the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, which examined data from 2018 to 2020, estimated the average cost of a vaginal childbirth to be $14,768.

The median cost (the midpoint of all the vaginal birth costs collected from across the U.S.) was $28,654.71, according to 2023 data examined by FAIR Health. These costs include fees for:

• Labor and delivery
• Delivery room
• Medical and surgical supplies
• Maternity ward room
• Tests, including fetal nonstress tests, ultrasounds, laboratory/bloodwork
• Breast pumps

The states with the highest median costs for vaginal births are Nevada ($39,160.55), New Jersey ($38,427.85), Alaska ($37,740.68), California ($36,446.87), and New York ($35,285.32). Louisiana and Alabama had the lowest median costs of $19,164.79 and $18,227.26, respectively.

C-Section

A Cesarean section, or C-section, costs more than a vaginal delivery because of surgery (involving the abdomen and uterus), additional care required, and longer hospitalizations and recovery times. Medical complications that may arise can add to the cost.

According to the latest research, the average cost for a C-section is $26,280. The median cost is $37,653.69.

The states with the highest median costs for C-sections are New Jersey ($52,591.66), California ($50,471.08), and Nevada ($50,021.36). Louisiana and Alabama had the lowest median costs of $22,021.72 and $23,927.52, respectively.

Hospital vs. Home Birth vs. Birth Center

The cost to have a baby can increase depending on where you choose to deliver. Almost all pregnant individuals (98.4%) in the U.S. choose to have a hospital birth. The remaining decide to deliver their babies either at home or at a birth center.

Home Births

Home births cost less than hospital births because there is no immediate medical intervention, no hospital stay, and no fees for the delivery room.

You pay for basics like a midwife (who may charge a flat fee of $3,000 to $9,000), in addition to prenatal and post-partum care. Estimating the cost can be difficult, but the average is approximately $4650 according to the online resource, Parents.

Birth Centers

Giving birth in a birth center is more expensive than a home birth but less costly than one in a hospital. A birth center is a facility that isn’t attached to or associated with a hospital.

Birth centers are designed for low-risk births and are staffed by midwives and other maternity personnel. The total cost depends on certain factors, including the type of birth center facility and location, but the range is $3,000 to $4,000.

Keep in mind that your costs may be more if you deliver at home or a birth center and complications arise. That’s because you may have to be transferred to a hospital for treatment.

Insurance vs. No Insurance

As indicated above, having a baby is a significant cost. Health insurance can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

Most insurance plans cover the cost of routine prenatal care, including checkups, screenings, and tests, along with the delivery and post-partum medical care. Out-of-pocket expenses for people in large group health insurance plans averaged $2,854.

If you’re uninsured, you’re on the hook for the entire cost. However, there are ways you can get coverage:

• Check the Health Insurance Marketplace if your employer doesn’t offer coverage or you are self-employed.
• You may qualify for coverage from the Marketplace during the special enrollment period.
• You may be covered under your parents’ health insurance if you’re under 26 years of age.

Financial Assistance Programs

Financial programs can also help you reduce the costs of having a baby. Some of these are income-based, so you’ll have to determine whether you qualify.

• Medicaid: Medicaid is a public health program funded by federal and state governments and administered by individual states. It provides healthcare coverage for low-income individuals and families. The program covers all pregnancy-related expenses, which means there are no out-of-pocket costs for the pregnant individual.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): This program is set up for people under the age of 18 who don’t qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance. Like Medicaid, there are generally no out-of-pocket costs. Some states expand coverage to include pregnant individuals. They include Colorado, Kentucky, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia.

You can also find free or low-cost prenatal and post-partum care at federally qualified health centers and community health centers. Search for a location near you using the federal government database.

The organization Planned Parenthood also has centers for no and low-cost pregnancy services, if you qualify.

The Bottom Line

Having a baby can be an exciting, life-changing, and expensive event. Costs include your prenatal care, delivery, and post-partum expenses, not to mention all of the other expenses you’ll encounter as a new parent.

But, careful preparation can help you control your financial burden and allow you to spend precious time focused on your new bundle of joy.