Pregnancy and Childbirth Costs: What You Can Expect to Pay

From pregnancy to childbirth, it can cost a lot to have a baby. What you ultimately have to pay out-of-pocket depends on many factors, including the type of insurance you have (if any), whether you have any pregnancy complications and the way you deliver your baby. Even where you live in the United States can impact what you will ultimately pay out-of-pocket for medical costs.

Most future parents, even those with excellent health insurance plans, will likely have to pay some money out of pocket, and many may face some unexpected expenses over the course of their pregnancy.

Here's a look at common pregnancy and delivery costs to give you a better idea of how much you may pay to have a baby.

Prenatal Care Visits

Once you find out you’re pregnant, your calendar will quickly fill up with appointments to assess the health of both you and your baby. The costs for this prenatal care depend on whether you have insurance and what your coverage looks like. Under the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid, for example, pregnant women do not have copays or deductibles for prenatal visits.¹ It's important to know what your plan does and does not cover.

Schedule of visits

While each pregnancy is different, you can expect to make several visits to your healthcare provider before giving birth. The first visit is generally the longest, at about 45 minutes. After that, visits will be shorter, usually 10 to 15 minutes.² Here's a look at how often you may visit your provider for prenatal care over the course of your pregnancy:

• First trimester (through week 12). Every four weeks
• Second trimester (through week 28). Every four weeks
• Third trimester (through week 36). Every two weeks
• Third trimester (after week 37). Every week

Throughout your pregnancy, your healthcare provider may use a variety of tests and tools to assess and monitor the health of both you and your baby, and these can contribute to your out-of-pocket costs.

Below, we take a closer look at pregnancy costs, what you can expect to pay and more.

Prenatal Laboratory Tests

Routine lab tests — blood tests, urine samples, etc. — allow healthcare providers to find and treat conditions that may arise during pregnancy.³

Here are the national average costs* of some common pregnancy tests.⁴ Out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on insurance coverage, deductibles and copays. The costs may also be affected by the test location (hospital vs. clinic), the type of lab (hospital-affiliated vs. private) and other factors.⁴

Pregnancy lab test costs by type

Prenatal Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of the developing baby, helping monitor growth, detect abnormalities, determine the due date and assess the baby's position. A standard part of prenatal care, they can be done at various stages throughout pregnancy.⁴ A 2D ultrasound offers less detailed imaging than the 3D and 4D.⁴

Here are the national average costs* of different types of ultrasounds.⁴ Out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on insurance coverage, deductibles and copays. The costs may also be affected by the test location (hospitals may charge more than a standalone imaging center), the number of ultrasounds you have and whether you opt for a keepsake image.⁴

Ultrasound cost by type

Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are designed to support your health and your baby's development during pregnancy. They contain essential nutrients, such as folic acid to prevent birth defects and calcium for bone growth. These supplements are available both over the counter and by prescription.⁴

The national average cost* of prenatal vitamins in the U.S. is $27 per month, but the cost can range from $21 to $52. How much you pay out-of-pocket depends on the brand (name brands may cost more than generics), any added ingredients and whether you buy in bulk or through a subscription service.⁴

Childbirth Costs

All the visits, testing and vitamins ultimately lead you to delivery day. How your baby enters the world can determine what you pay. Your healthcare coverage and where you live can also impact the cost of childbirth.

Here's a breakdown of common delivery methods and their costs.

How much does a vaginal delivery cost?

With a vaginal delivery, the baby is born through the birth canal. It may occur naturally or be induced, if necessary. An epidural and breathing techniques may provide pain relief.⁴

The national average cost* of a vaginal delivery in the U.S. is $13,867, but that cost can range from $10,803 to $26,275. Several factors can affect the cost, including your geographic location, whether the delivery takes place in a hospital or whether any complications or interventions (such as forceps or vacuum extraction) are involved.⁴

How much does a C-section cost?

A cesarian (or C-section) involves the surgical delivery of the baby through an abdominal incision in an emergency or when a vaginal birth is deemed unsafe. Recovery from a C-section is longer than from a vaginal delivery.

The national average cost* of a C-section in the U.S. is $21,404, but it can range from $16,886 to $$40,568, depending on length of hospital stay, surgeon fees, anesthesia costs, postoperative care and any complications.⁴

Ways to Manage Pregnancy Costs

The costs can add up from the time you learn you're pregnant until your baby arrives. Having health insurance — and knowing what it covers — can help you make decisions to keep your out-of-pocket costs down.

Understand your insurance coverage options. Talk to your health insurance provider soon after you find out you are pregnant to see what is covered, what you're responsible for out-of-pocket and any advice they may have for keeping costs low during pregnancy and childbirth.

Stay in-network. Using doctors, health practitioners and hospitals or birthing centers in your insurer's network can go a long way to save you money.

Consider an employer savings account. With a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Savings Account (FSA) through your employer, you can put pre-tax money aside to help pay for some pregnancy expenses.

Explore available assistance. If you meet certain income requirements, you may qualify to have your pregnancy and childbirth costs covered by the Affordable Care Act Marketplace or by Medicaid.⁵ Other assistance programs include Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for health coverage.

Be Prepared for Both Common and Unexpected Costs of Pregnancy and Delivery

Your pregnancy and childbirth journey will be unique to you, but it is possible to prepare yourself financially. Make a plan for the expected, common costs and anticipate the possibility of additional expenses so you can focus on welcoming your baby with peace of mind.

Managing Health and Wellness Costs With the CareCredit Credit Card

If you are looking for an option to help manage your health and wellness costs, consider financing with the CareCredit credit card. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for the care you want and need and make payments easy to manage.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a provider near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Your CareCredit credit card can be used in so many ways within the CareCredit network including vision, dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases and spa treatments. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Diana Kelly Levey is a freelance journalist, content marketing writer, and author with more than 15 years of experience covering health and wellness.