Cost of Having a Baby in the US

Financial obligations are often of great concern for new parents. It is commonly known that having a baby is not cheap, but exactly how expensive is it? There are many costs to take into consideration, but with practical planning, having a child is financially feasible for most couples. Planning should start with pregnancy and take into consideration at least the next 18 years. The memories may be priceless, but they are not without cost.

  1. Prenatal

    • It is absolutely necessary to take into consideration the nine months of pregnancy and their costs. Neonatal visits are necessary and can be quite expensive. Prenatal costs often entail doctor's fees, ultrasounds and other lab costs. Expecting mothers should plan on visiting the ob-gyn once or twice a month for months 4 through 6 and two or three times a month for months 7 through 9. Some pregnancies require more visits than others. Depending on many factors, this will cost a minimum of $500.

    Birth

    • A normal vaginal birth will cost an average of $7,000, while a Cesarean birth will cost an average of $11,000.

    Raising a Child

    • Not only is it very easy to spend $10,000 on supplies in the first year alone, but the cost a raising a child through the age of 18 is estimated to be between $125,000 to $250,000. This does not include college.

    Insurance

    • Some insurance plans cover the whole cost of pregnancy and birth, while others only take care of a fraction. Additionally, it is important to make sure that your doctor and hospital are covered by your insurance provider. Most insurance plans will require coinsurance and deductibles.

    Variations

    • The are many variations in the cost of pregnancy and childbirth, such a geograpical location, method, insurance and complications. Additionally, some hospitals provide a sliding scale based on income. Using a midwife for birthing will most likely be cheaper, while complications that require a specialist will cost you more. Complications are not only stressful, but can also be very costly and neonatal costs can be several thousand dollars a day. For example, having a baby 3 months premature could cost in excess of $160,000.

    Costs to Consider

    • Pregnancy is only a small part of the costs of having a baby. New parents should taking take into consideration supplies, such as diapers, formula, child-care, furniture, loss of income, maternity clothes and paperwork (birth certificate). An infant will average 10 diapers a day and 300 disposable diapers a month will likely cost new parents $100 a month. If new mothers choose formula over breast feeding, they should plan to spend another $100 a month on formula. Most doctors recommended that new mothers take a maternity leave for at least six weeks after birth. Furthermore, most child care facilities will not care for infants under this age. The loss of income from maternity must be taken into consideration. After maternity leave, the cost of child care will be anywhere from $400 to $3,000 a month.

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