The United States is known for being one of the priciest places in the world to have a baby. Here's a breakdown of the costs involved in childbirth and postpartum care.
The average cost of giving birth in the U.S. is $18,865. Nearly $3,000 of that is paid out of pocket, even if you have health insurance [1]. This figure includes the cost of the prenatal and postpartum care.
Health costs vary significantly based on whether the baby is born via C-section or vaginally. A vaginal delivery is less expensive; the average cost is $11,453. Those who have C-sections spend around $17,103 [2].
Costs vary significantly depending on where the baby is delivered. For example, C-section costs range from $9,377 in Mississippi to $27,527 in Alaska. Postpartum care significantly adds to the cost.
Financial experts recommend saving at least $20,000 as a financial cushion [2]. Having some extra cash on hand can be helpful in case of emergencies, as well as during the first year of a child's life. According to a study by the Brookings Institution that looked at data from the U.S. Agriculture Department, the average annual cost of raising a child is around $17,000 [3].
It's hard to say how much having a baby will really cost. Things like pre existing health problems can make an otherwise normal birth a lot more expensive. Having twins will also increase the bill. Most health insurance plans don't cover doulas, so don't forget to add the cost of any other postpartum help you might need, like breastfeeding consultants.
Note! The research cited here was conducted between 2020 and 2023. Take into account an inflation rate of 3-5% per year.
