What is the average medical costs for having a baby?

[reveriereptile]

Sorry if I gave the impression that I was going to apply for WIC. I don't plan on using WIC or another program similar. If my husband wasn't working and we were barely making it by then I would but we aren't doing horrible on money. My husband was thinking that if people on WIC can afford to raise a baby with little help then why can't he. There are a lot of costs he isn't realizing that he will have to pay for even if he has insurance or not. I know WIC helped my sister out a lot especially with the baby formula that would of been a fortune if she wasn't able to get it for free. I think she also had insurance which paid for almost all the doctor bills. At the time her boyfriend, his parents, and mine helped pay for the rest of the stuff and she used a lot of hand-me-downs. My husband is a lawyer and will probably make about $60K by the end of the year but will have to pay taxes on that. I know you can't always go by ultrasounds either when hoping for a healthy baby. His cousin just had a baby that always like to have her foot in her mouth and when she was born she had a really bad cleft and hare lip that wasn't shown with her foot in the way. We do have a english bulldog that will be a year old next month. He doesn't do any of the feeding, taking out, bathing, or mess clean ups since I wanted her and I took the responsiblity to care for her if he paid for her. He does play with her and takes her over to his sisters to play with her dogs, takes her for walks, and to the vet appointments. His main concern is his parents health. He wants his kids to be around his parents long enough to know them. His dad wants grandkids really bad while he can get around. My parents are having health problems as well and my dad might only be around for another year or two. He is having heart problems and my mom just started having some as well.

 

[Nicola]

Kids are expensive, and the older they get the more it costs.. Child care, school, college etc

So if i were you, i'd get the house built first THEN start trying for a baby.

 

[reveriereptile]

I talked with my husband and I think he is going to hold off. I do have some questions after looking through baby supplies. Are those sling wraps worth having and are they safe if used properly? I keep seeing them online and they look more comfortable than the harness sling and would be nice to have hands free and less strain on the arms. After looking around are there any good sites that sale chick themed stuff that isn't expensive? I seen some duck stuff but I like chickens more. I realized I want to go with the farm animal theme. I would have to share my love of chickens with my kids starting at an early age.

Also like that it can be used for either gender and isn't pink.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

I didn't find out I was pregnant till I was 16 weeks already. So that means I skipped two months of medical bills and after delivery was all said and done: $22,000. This includes all GYN/OB care, ultrasounds, bloodwork, exams, testing, ect. Plus three full days in Hospital, vaginal birth, two failed epidurals, two IV's, Pitocin for almost 24 hours, getting stitched up, and two days of lactation consultations.

We have insurance that paid 80% after our deductible was met. So out of pocket costs were still several thousand dollars. Its very very expensive. Then consider that for a year after that my daughter had to have a special formula after we found out she was very sick due to a breast milk allergy. Her formula cost us $4,500 for 12 months. Thats $10 a day for formula alone, not including very expenisive diapers. My daughter went through 10+ diapers a day for a long time.

If you add in clothes, then medical check ups...well the first year my daughter was alive cost us and insurance probably around $33,000 and then some.

 

[Mattemma]

When I had a MW it cost $1,300,but that was 8 years ago. Even if she charged 3k I would still choose the MW. Delivery for my dd cost nothing since I ended up doing it on my own.Always prepare for delivery!

I know our insurance will not cover a MW and you have to have insurance(and a maternity clause/coverage) BEFORE you get pregnant...for them to cover the pregnancy.

Best wishes!

I had a maya wrap and a baby trekker.Both I used here and there.Mostly I held the kids.Even with a sling I always had one hand on them.There is the Mei tie. I have sewing instructions for that,but never got around to making one.They look neat though.

I found WIC to be more hassle than it was worth.Might be better these days.Get your baby cloths at goodwill. I see stuff for 25 cents! Can't advise on formula since I bfed.You will find ways to save.

 

[perolane]

Barring no complications..which no one can predict, you'll spend that entire $60,000 salary from baby's birth to it's first birthday. I think you have greater worries than the color pink & baby slings.....seriously!

 

[babyrnlc]

We charge $1600 which included all prenatal exams. Lab cost more and US so maybe another $2-300.

Many insurances will cover the cost of a midwife.

You have to be low risk though to deliver at home. Transport rate is less than 6%, but if that were to need to happen then the cost would go up as hospitals are expensive!!

 

[Karrie13]

Kids are expensive and they get more expensive the older they get. 12 years ago in April I had my daughter and she was almost $30,000 because of complications that were not known until she was born (thank goodness for insurance). NICU is very expensive. Luckily she had no lasting effects of her birth issues. I didn't do any pain meds with either of my kids. I have no idea how much my son was because he was born in a military hospital.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
It isn't even the money issue that bothers me the most.....if everyone waited until they could truely afford a baby no one would ever have one! What bothers me is that you don't even have your own home......you are living in his parents house. Move out....rent a place of your own or build your house.....either one, but have your own place before you have a baby.

 

[Rozzie]

edited, never mind...