Today I spent over $4,700 without even leaving the house. Ugh.
I called the hospital to pay for little Tarzan’s birth and all the extras that come along with it. On one hand, I feel extremely lucky that we were able to pay for everything upfront because that ultimately saves so much money in the end.
But on the other hand, dammit, it was a lot of effing money to go out.
This is all best case scenario, of course:
Vaginal Delivery: $3,300 (C-Section would cost $5,500)
Anesthesia for the epidural: $1,200 (C-Section would cost $1,500)
To snip our son’s penis: $250
Grand total today: $4,750
Ouch.
Is it wrong that I get super jealous when I hear about people having wealthy relatives that make their life so much easier? I wish I had one of those that would take pity on me.
But I will admit that I’m happy that we won’t be stuck with thousands in hospital bills. We (I) will have mini-T and walk out of the hospital knowing that my baby is paid for and that we’ve done our part instead of letting the hospital bills pile up.
And you can bet your ass I’ll be taking as much “free” stuff from the hospital that I can get my hands on. After all, I did pay for it.
You might also want to read:
- 37 weeks pregnant: Finally saw “The Business of Being Born”
- Nearly $10,000 Cash Spent So Far For Baby Tarzan. Gotta Love The U.S. Healthcare System!
- The real cost of having a baby with no Maternity Insurance, no Medicaid, and no help.
- 30 weeks pregnant: OB pregnancy appointment
- No worries about additional baby costs during labor and delivery, pills are included!
= a post from Mommy Jane 
= a post from Daddy Tarzan
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
You could save an easy 1200.00 and go w/o the eppy.
It’s actually not as horrible as some women will tell you either. Just read the Bradley book or take a Bradley class and you’re set to go!
$1200 is totally worth it for the epidural!!
HAHA…love the opposing comments…I’d pay that much for an epidural too…but I’m a first timer and a chicken!
So, what about all the incidentals – if you get induced or use other pain meds or get 2 epis? Will they just bill you for that later? Just curious how it all works.
Donielle – I totally realize that we could save a lot of money if I didn’t do the epidural, but that’s something that I am firm on wanting… at least for my first time around. I do admire those that don’t have one, but I’m such a wimp and I want something to take the pain away. I wish I was brave bc it costs a lot, that’s for sure!
Punkinmama – I agree!
Heather – Maybe it has to do with being a first timer, or just hearing tons of horror stories without one. I’ll definitely be begging for one!
MVP – Those are all good questions and I don’t have the answers to them yet. I know that the $3300 is with no complications. I have my dr appt tomorrow and I’m going to ask her a couple of questions and then call the hospital to ask more questions, including the ones that you asked. (Those are on my list!) I’ll keep you posted!
Wow! A vaginal delivery here is $2,400. I would have to look up c-section but I know that is more. Wish you had insurance. Insurance is a life saver for us or I would be going nuts on where to get the money right now. I know we could do it but it would not relieve the worry.
And don’t skimp on the epidural. I was in hard labor for 12 hours with my first child and not dilated enough to get one. The second child I went in already at 4 cm and got it right away. The epidural made a world of difference between the two. I admire women who can do with pain meds, but I am not one of them.
This must be such a relief for you.
I am so thankful i dont live in the States
Here in Australia, we have a public system covering the costs, Ok so I dont get to choose my doctor I will get the doctor on duty on the day/ night that i deliever,
however I am very happy with the hospital iIhave choosen to use most of the private doctors there also work in the public system. I just spent 4 nights in the maternity ward of the hospital for a liver problem and gallstones but it did not cost me a cent I can’t imagine what it would of cost had I gone private
The hospital I am going to is an hour from my house there are closer hospital but from all reports I am so glad that I am not delivering at them. While I was in hospital I had a private room my own shower and toilet and was totally taken care of by the midwifes it actually was such a reflief to spend some time there and see how good the care was except for the food.
Good Luck jane I hope it all goes well for you
“To snip our son’s penis”
Funny how you get attitude about wanting an epidural [me too - absolutely] but nothing at all about the circumcision
.
I know circumcision is common/usual in America, but it isn’t in the rest of the world and I just love how blase you are about it.
Just wait until you’re at about 6 or 7 cm dialated. If you get it to early (like I did the w/ my first) it really slows labor down and ups the risk of having to go c-section as well as ups the incidence of using the vacuum or forceps. Plus, if it slows down to much they’ll have to give you pitocin too. More $ for more drugs.
I’ve done labor both ways, without pain meds and with. both times I had back labor- ouch.
My girl was born when I was 25, I was all about the no meds and it was really hard, because they gave me pitocin to make my labor hurry along, it was such hard work, but I did it! Go me. she was 7.5 pounds
My boy, I was 33, and they had to induce labor, so the hated pitocin and it just felt like a freaking freight train of contractions. SO hard. I finally needed rest and relief and asked fot the eppy. They gave me a “walking” eppy, which ment I could still do my work without feeling dead in the legs but the contractions felt more like pressure.
Awesome. He was born weighing in at 9 pounds. No way I would have been able to do that without the meds. The after effects were a bit weird, with shaking and just feeling cold.
It’s all baout how you feel in the moment. Jsut because it’s paid for, does not mean in the end, if you feel like it, you can’t go natural. But’s a NICE thing to bank on.
BTW, both my babies were born with midwives but in a hospital. No tearing, no cutting- and they were very supportive and graceful, not pushy or demeaning.
I’m so happy your bill is taken care of, it’s so much less to think on. Here’s to a “no complecations” birth!
After reading the comments, I personally feel that if you want an epidural, get one. It’s your body and your birth, the end.
I’m surprised by how much everything costs, though! We’re expecting a bill of around $800 total, and that’s if I get the long-ass epidural needle stuck in my back. I don’t know what I’d do if the hospital told me it would cost closer to $5,000. Cry, maybe?
Okay, I’m a dumbass. I just realized that we’re talking about the difference between having medical insurance and not. Ouch. I’m sorry I missed that.
I’m never going to complain about paing my taxes again. In the UK the NHS means that you just turn up and deliver, no bills no worries. Although as Peta said I don’t get to choose who catches my baby, but the care I got was very good.
Glad you have got everything sorted now. I’m sure that it will be one less thing to worry about.
Well, I’m certainly not going to give you crap for getting an epidural. But I will pipe up and say I don’t plan on it. We’ve been doing anything and everything to prepare ourselves for not getting pain meds, and I know it’s certainly possible. Who knows if there’ll be complications that’ll require meds, but we’re planning for otherwise. But we are of course educating ourselves on the possibility of having to get meds too, just in case.
And we too will circ. It wasn’t an easy decision – hubbie and I were opposed, but I caved after doing the research and seeing that there are pros and cons on both sides of the debate and it’s not worth fighting over.
Just wanted to put both those things in there so you know whatever you choose is the right thing for you and your family. Just as long as you’re making an informed decision and feel confident in your choices, you’ll do great.
Just got off with the lady at the hospital – The $4750 covers circumcision, food, hospital stay for 2 days, pain meds, epidural, and anything else that I would need as long as I have a “normal” delivery.
If there are complications, there will be additional costs. If the baby has to go or stay in the NICU, more money.
Please keep me and the little babe in your thoughts and prayers that my delivery is complication-free and that this is all the money that we’ll need to shell out for the birth!
If you want to save a little more Hermama are having a bit of a sale on the nursing and maternity bras. Worth a look. I always need lots as boobs change constantly!
I was just told at my last appointment that my Maternity plan is 100% covered by my health insurance. I am going to do some research here in a bit to see what that means exactly. I need to know if I’m going to get hit with extra charges for things like an epidural, delivery complications, c-sections, induction, etc. I know you are a business owner and didn’t go this route but if you or anyone else knows anything about this please let me know! I’m on Aetna and live in Ft.Worth, Texas.
It’s hard for me to trust that when my insurance company says 100% they MEAN 100%.