What Are the Medical Costs of Pregnancy and Having a Baby?

You have probably heard that it costs a lot of money to have a baby, but have you ever considered the breakdown of costs of pregnancy, including how much it costs to give birth? The prices vary depending on whether you have health insurance; the type of coverage you have; your out-of-pocket costs; and where you live in the United States.

Whether you've been saving up for your bundle of joy or your pregnancy was a surprise, most future parents, even those with excellent health insurance plans, are going to have to shell out some money and likely face a few unexpected expenses over the course of the pregnancy. To help you best prepare, talk to your health insurance provider first to learn what you can do to save.

Here, we will cover facts and stats you should know so you can have a better idea of how much it costs to have a baby.

Prenatal Care

Once you have found out you are pregnant, your calendar will quickly fill up with doctor's appointments, tests, screenings, and ultrasounds. There is also a long list of to-dos and what not to do (including what to eat/avoid).

Here are timelines and costs for prenatal care for those with insurance:

You will have several visits to your obstetrician before giving birth. Some people might need more if the pregnancy is considered high-risk. Many plans, including those on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace and Medicaid, have no copays for prenatal visits.

For average pregnancies, expect to visit your obstetrician:

• Weeks 4 to 28: Approximately once a month²
• Weeks 28 to 36: Every two weeks²
• Weeks 37+: Weekly²

Laboratory tests

Lab tests can help monitor your health and the baby's health. These can add to your out-of-pocket costs. Here are common tests with accompanying estimates of costs for those without insurance. Out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on coverage levels, deductibles, and copays.

• Routine lab work: $50-$200¹
• Ultrasounds: $309 on average, but varies significantly by state and provider¹
• Glucose screening for gestational diabetes: $25-$50¹
• Amniocentesis to look for genetic disorders: $1,500-$5,000¹

Ultrasounds and/or sonograms

The average number of ultrasounds or sonograms during a normal, healthy pregnancy depends on your doctor's preferences. Some physicians may recommend additional sonograms, such as:

• Nuchal translucency screening (this measures the thickness behind a baby's neck, which can help assess the risk of a genetic issue, like Down Syndrome) between 11 and 14 weeks: $500.²
• Ultrasounds scans between 18 and 20 weeks: $200 - $800 each.³

Additional pregnancy costs

• Biophysical profile (BPP): This test is most likely done if you are past your due date: $173.⁴
• Prenatal vitamins: It is suggested that women start taking these when they are trying to get pregnant, as well as throughout pregnancy. Costs of this over-the-counter supplement vary depending on the brand but typically run around $8 and up for a 30-day supply.⁵

Childbirth: Delivery Costs

Where you live in the country also factors into the cost of pregnancy and determines how much it costs to give birth. If you deliver vaginally, you can expect that the procedure will cost less than if you deliver via Cesarean section (C-section) surgery. Since a C-section is a more intense surgical procedure, it is a higher cost and requires a longer stay in the hospital.

To give you an example of how costs can vary, consider the 2020 data from Health Care Cost Institute. According to the report, the average cost of giving birth in Arkansas is $8,361, while the average spending on childbirth in New York and Oregon was $19,771. Overall, the average spending on childbirth admission for someone with employer-sponsored insurance was $13,811, which included out-of-pocket payments and insurer payments.⁶ Out-of-pocket spending for individuals per childbirth varies across states and insurance policies.

Vaginal delivery

The average spending per vaginal birth nationally with employer-sponsored health coverage is $13,811. This includes out-of-pocket expenses and the amount an insurer will pay for the health care. The amount you pay will depend on your health insurance plan. The average out-of-pocket spending ranged from $1,077 in Washington, D.C. to $2,473 in South Carolina. ⁷

Cesarean delivery

Average spending per C-section, in contrast, was $17,004.⁸

IVF and pregnancy

Sometimes people are not able to conceive naturally and must undergo testing, treatment and take medications to get pregnant. One option, in vitro fertilization (IVF), holds substantial additional costs.

For treatments, medications and testing related to IVF, your annual cost varies depending on where you live and what your insurance covers. Without insurance, one cycle of IVF treatments can be $15,000 to $30,000.⁹ Some states require insurers to offer coverage for IVF, so be sure to check with your insurer when making your financial plans.

How Pregnancy Complications Can Impact Cost

While unfortunate, it is possible for a number of complications to arise throughout a woman's pregnancy, during birth and postpartum.

Costly pregnancy complications may include:

• Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes
• Pregnancy complications
• Preterm birth, developmental disorders, and respiratory distress in babies
• Delivery complications
• Maternal mental health conditions

How to Save Money and Lower Pregnancy Costs

Luckily, there are some ways to lower the cost of pregnancy, and some steps you can take to ensure a healthy, more affordable delivery.

• Planning: If you are planning to have a baby, make sure you are as healthy as possible throughout the process and take prenatal vitamins while you are trying to get pregnant. This helps your baby's development, particularly in the first trimester.
• Coverage options: Talk to your health insurance provider soon after you find out you are pregnant to see what is covered, the estimated out-of-pocket costs, and any advice on how to keep costs low during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care.
• 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.
• HSA/FSA: If your employer offers a Health Savings Account (HSA) and/or Flexible Savings Account (FSA), putting pre-tax money aside in this account can help lessen the cost burden of giving birth. You may be able to use this money for prenatal vitamins, tests, doctor's appointments, and hospital stays. The annual health FSA contribution limit for 2022 is $2,850.¹⁰
• Affordable or Free Health Care: If you meet certain income requirements, you may be able to get Medicaid or coverage through the Affordable Care Act at Healthcare.gov. If those are not an option, explore programs such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for health coverage.

CareCredit Financing for Pregnancy Expenses

To finance your fertility and pregnancy journey, you can use your CareCredit credit card at locations within the CareCredit network.*

Ask your doctor if they accept the CareCredit credit card. You can also use our Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a provider near you that accepts the CareCredit credit card.

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.

Our Experts

Patty Caballero and her team of consultants together have more than 35 years of health insurance knowledge working for some of the biggest health insurance companies in the US. She has knowledge in building brands and strategic initiatives to help consumers better understand their health benefits.