Thoughts on Pregnancy Costs

At first glance, the statement Kate Middleton probably spent less on childbirth than the average American woman may seem shocking. This quote from Elizabeth Rosenthal, author of American Way of Birth, Costliest in the World from The New York Times sums up the confusion: "British royal born in fanciest ward: $15000. Average US birth: billed $30000; paid $18000. What is wrong here?"

Quite frankly, reading Rosenthal's article horrified me. In my opinion, giving birth is already difficult enough without having to worry about money issues. Although I've never experienced it myself, my piano teacher is currently pregnant, and she'll occasionally make remarks to my mother about how she can't sleep or something like that. My mother will usually respond with sympathetic reassurances on how everything will be worth it in the end but also with some joke about how as the baby grows, the pain is only going to get worse. It's a generally accepted opinion that childbirth is a rather unpleasant experience.

Now mix in financial worries. The woman featured in Rosenthal's article, Renee Martin, doesn't have insurance that covers pregnancy and will probably have to pay over $32,000 out of her own pocket. At a time when she should be celebrating all the joys (and pains) of motherhood, she has a giant cloud hanging over her head in the form of a $32,000 hospital bill. In the linked video, Martin talks about how while she wants to do what is best for her and her child, it's rather difficult financially.

What is also interesting is that this sort of high charge is only in America. In America, the average amount paid for childbirth in 2012 was $9775. In Great Britain, another very industrialized, advanced country, it's $2641. According to Rosenthal, pregnant American mothers don't even get extra perks and whatnot for all this extra money.

In my opinion, hospitals should strive to make pregnancy care as safe, stress-free, and easy as possible. If I ever want children, I think I should take a vacation in Great Britain. By the time I'm at that plateau, lovely Great Britain will even have Jane Austen on their 10 pound notes. Meanwhile in America...

note: I'm sorry for linking two articles, but I was unsure on whether we are allowed to take articles from The Week, so The New York Times is my back-up. (In addition, the two complement each other rather nicely.) If anyone knows whether The Week is an acceptable news source, let me know in a comment. Thanks!