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Ask A Childbirth Educator
Questions and Answer

Q. Help! Help! I know each hospital is different, but what is the average cost of having a baby? ( with no Insurance )

A. I get asked this question very often and to be very honest, there is no way I can give an accurate answer. The ranges in price vary greatly from hospital to hospital, anywhere from $3000 on up, not including physician fees, prenatal care, anesthesia if you choose drugs during delivery, any nursery fees etc. It is much higher for a cesarean delivery (of course.) To find out how much things cost in your area you will need to call the hospitals, doctors, birth centers and midwives. Place of birth also determines costs; home and birth center births tend to be substantially less expensive than hospital deliveries for healthy, low-risk women. Most states have programs for prenatal care and delivery for low-income women and babies---a call to the local health department may give some leads in that area.

Karen Klimsak-Ungar, CCE has been a certified childbirth educator for Birth Works® since 1996. She is currently Managing Editor for the Birth Works newsletter, sits on the Birth Works Board of Directors, and serves on their National Trainee Review Committee. A happily married mother of two, she also continues to teach Birth Works classes as well as private classes.

Karen will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.