Paying for pregnancy, birth and newborn baby care

The cost of having a baby varies widely from one family to another. It depends mostly on the health system you use and the type of care you choose, as well as where you live and the rules of your local health and insurance arrangements. The best way to avoid surprises is to ask your chosen provider and hospital about costs early in your pregnancy.

Costs to think about#

There are two broad groups of costs:

• Healthcare costs – antenatal (pregnancy) care, the hospital stay for labour and birth, tests and scans, and any follow-up care for you and your baby.
• Other costs – setting up for the baby, such as a cot, a car seat and a pram, and the loss of income if a parent reduces their hours or stops work for a while.

Building these into your budget early makes it easier to plan.

Public and private care#

In many places, maternity care can be provided through a public system, a private system, or a mix of both.

• Public care is generally a safe, good-quality and lower-cost option, and in many countries most or all of the cost of public maternity care and hospital stay is covered for eligible residents. Which public hospital you use usually depends on where you live, your health and your preferences.
• Private care lets you choose your own care provider, such as a particular obstetrician or private midwife, but it usually involves out-of-pocket costs. Even with private health insurance, you may still pay a gap, because how much is covered depends on your policy.

If you are unsure which option applies to you, ask your doctor, midwife or hospital what is available locally and what each choice is likely to cost.

Models of antenatal care#

Several models of pregnancy care exist, and which ones are available to you depend on your medical history, your preferences and where you live:

• Midwife-led care – a midwife or group of midwives looks after you through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. You may be referred to an obstetrician if complications arise.
• Shared care – most of your care is provided by a healthcare professional you already know, such as your doctor, with a smaller number of visits to the hospital, including for the birth.
• Birth centres – usually run by midwives and often located in or near a hospital so medical back-up is available. They may not be suitable for a high-risk pregnancy.
• Home birth – care is provided by midwives in your home. This is generally only an option for lower-risk pregnancies, and the cost depends on whether it is arranged through a public service or a private midwife.

A high-risk pregnancy may rule out some of these options, so check with your provider.

What to ask about costs#

When you are weighing up your options, it helps to ask about:

• whether your care is covered by the public system or your insurance, and what you would pay yourself
• what a private provider charges, and how much of that you can claim back
• how much care you are likely to need, including extra tests, scans or a caesarean
• which hospital you can use, and any fees it charges

If you do not have local health coverage, you may be responsible for the full cost of your pregnancy, birth and postnatal care in either the public or private system, and you may be asked to pay upfront. Visitors, students and people seeking asylum may have different entitlements, so check the rules that apply to your situation before you receive care.

Paying for newborn baby care#

For healthy babies, ongoing costs are usually low, especially where childhood vaccinations are provided free or at low cost. If your baby needs special care, such as a stay in a special care nursery, there may be additional costs depending on your coverage, so check with the hospital.

Many areas also offer child health services that check on you and your baby after the birth, often starting with a home visit in the first days or weeks, followed by regular check-ups through early childhood. These visits help confirm your baby is meeting developmental milestones and give you a chance to ask questions about parenting.

Financial support#

New parents are sometimes eligible for government or employer support, such as paid parental leave or family payments. Eligibility and amounts vary, so check what is available where you live and start the process early, as some support can be claimed before the baby is born.

Key points#

• The cost of having a baby depends mostly on whether you use public or private care, plus your local coverage.
• Public care is usually lower-cost; private care offers more choice but generally involves out-of-pocket costs, even with insurance.
• Several models of antenatal care exist, though a high-risk pregnancy may limit your options.
• Ask your provider and hospital about likely costs early, and check what financial support you may be eligible for.

Where to get help#