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“Baby Got Charged For Existing”: Woman’s Breakdown Of Costs To Give Birth In US Sparks Outrage
A newborn child is supposedly a bundle of joy for the parents. But if you’re living in the United States, having a baby can also put a massive strain on your bank account.
A woman named Kayla shared her experience giving birth to her fifth child, particularly the expenses she paid. In a recent TikTok video, she gave a detailed breakdown of her costs, which amounted to over $44,000.
As expected, most people were shocked, but her story put a spotlight on the US healthcare system, which has faced its fair share of controversies.
RELATED:
Childbirth is becoming more expensive in the United States
Image credits: Wesley Tingey / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Florida resident Kayla, who gave birth to her fifth child, shared a detailed breakdown of how much she paid
Image credits: kaylakosuga
The private room and labor room fees already comprised nearly half of her total expenses
Image credits: kaylakosuga
She did mention the costs shouldered by her insurance company
Image credits: kaylakosuga
But what surprised many was the $12,000 fee for her son’s birth
Image credits: kaylakosuga
You can watch Kayla’s video below
@kaylakosugaHow much is cost to give birth 😅♬ original sound – Kayla Kosuga
Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
The median cost of childbirth in the United States saw a massive jump in just three years
In her video, Kayla revealed that the total amount she paid was $44,318.41. This included a bill for her son’s birth, which amounted to $12,761.30.
Extra costs aside, the median expense for natural childbirth in 2022 was reportedly $13,000. Three years later, the amount more than doubled to $28,654.71, according to Fair Health tracker.
The prices also vary from state to state. In Kayla’s home state of Florida, the median charge is $34,489.48.
But what exactly is the reason behind these skyrocketing costs? According to Cynthia Cox, vice president of the health policy research organization KFF, high deductible health plans are one reason.
“High deductibles are supposed to make people think twice about the cost of care and if they really need it. However, in the case of childbirth, that doesn’t make sense. Obviously, you need it,” she told Bloomberg in a 2024 interview.
Birth plans in the US are also costly. As Kalya broke down in her video, she had to pay for doctor’s fees, anesthesia, and epidural injections. According to health policy analyst Louise Norris, each health plan also varies.
“All of these services can be counted toward the deductible, or there may be individual copays that apply,” she told Business Insider in a 2022 interview.
Unfortunately, these high costs have led to a financial strain among women. A 2023 study by researchers at Harvard Medical School revealed that 20% of new mothers are burdened with their medical bills after birth.
Image credits: Ahmet Kurt / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Minimizing childbirth costs comes down to research and a proper strategy
While childbirth involves unavoidable expenses, there are ways to mitigate them. One piece of advice Norris gave was to keep up with prenatal care.
As she explained, regular checkups may increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and avoid complications, which are costly to treat.
Another option is to ask the hospital if they offer maternity packages. According to Norris, these are bundled services that often include flat fees and discounts.
She also gave a simple tip: bring your own supplies, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and even a box of tissues. Norris says doing so can help avoid significant extra charges.
Fortunately, Kayla and her family had a successful delivery, all the expenses aside.
Commenters were unexpectedly shocked by the costs
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What do you think ?
lenka 10 months ago
My first child was born in Australia. I had private room, traumatic emergency birth, blood loss, trauma surgeon and 7 day stay with baby in ICU. Our only cost was parking. Baby number two was born in the Netherlands. (Thankfully this time less traumatic). Our only cost was 50 euros and only because we wanted an extra scan for peace of mind (not medically necessary). American health system is wild.
arthbach 10 months ago
With child 2, I was in a private room. I had a planned C-section. I arrived at 6am on the Thursday, and was home by 10am on the Saturday. The whole thing cost me £80 for the private room. The actual cost of the whole thing was never made known to me. It was paid for from taxes. The more a person earns, the more they pay. Everyone receives care, and no one is forced into a position where they can not seek medical/maternity care due to insufficient funds.
Pittsburgh rare 10 months ago
I paid nothing for my daughter's birth (Spain) but we do get a paper with the cost of our medical treatments so we value our healthcare system and don't abuse it. However, this is a regional thing, some regions do it and others don't.
Load More Replies...
Virgil Blue 10 months ago
Elon Musk: "why is the birthrate declining?" People like you making sure the future looks grim, and the crazy expenses involved in giving birth are just 2 of the reasons Elon.
Kat Alison 10 months ago
But HE can afford to have 14 kids…so he thinks everybody should do it.
Load More Replies... Pittsburgh rare 10 months ago
From the creators of 'student loans' now come...'birth loans'. That baby better get on his feet quickly to repay his debt. The US is insane.
General Anaesthesia 10 months ago
Now you know why many US states are relaxing child labor laws.
Load More Replies...
zovjraar me 10 months ago
yet some people think a $5k payment is enough to incentivize more births.
Kat Alison 10 months ago
$5K is a drop in the bucket, compared to what it costs to have a baby in the U.S. We need more Luigis.
Load More Replies... 
Ejteh 10 months ago
Bizarre! It's almost as expensive as having a special needs baby in europe. Baby had to stay for 4 weeks, including a few days under very specialised care. I got to stay with him for 1 week. And my bills include special prenatal care: full array genetic research for baby and parents, a LOT of ultrasounds, other tests and researches and psychological help. And I only had to pay about €600, spread over 2 years. The rest is coverd by health insurance (for which I am oh so thankful) But universal health care is communism right?
Agat 10 months ago
Honest question: what happens if someone simply doesn't have money to cover the 40-k bill? Do they have to pay in installments till they pay it off? Or go to a bank to get a loan? Because we've heard about these costs for years but I don't think I've ever heard how people actually handle these bills once they get them.
B.Nelson 10 months ago
You get your wages garnished, your tax refund taken, constant threats and/or calls about your medical debt, possible lien against property...and then you file for bankruptcy and hope that clears it out.
Load More Replies...
Jihana 10 months ago
A year ago I was diagnosed with cancer and had to have my uterus, ovaries, cervix and some lymph nodes removed. Surgery lasted 3,5 hours, I was in the ICU for 4 days, in the hospital for 7. According to my health insurance the whole thing cost 4700€,and all I had to pay was around 140€ for food (the reasoning is that I would have had to eat outside of the hospital as well) It's not just that we Europeans pay less, everything is just cheaper. If a pharma company wants to get on the list of approved d***s they have to agree on a lower price.
Sarah 10 months ago
That’s insanity, most European countries have free healthcare where all you pay for is a chocolate bar from the vending machine and car park. That’s it’s . When will Americans stop believing the lies and propaganda that they are living in a wonderful country. Get together and protest. Why is none of you doing this?
Bananaramamama 10 months ago
Yup. I had to pay $249 for "skin to skin contact time" which means to lay my just birthed child on my naked chest while they cut the cord. No joke. I had full health insurance, a discount because my wages were "below poverty level" and still wound up being taken to court for the remaining $9,000
Big Chungus 10 months ago
I think I am more shocked that people are shocked by this. There are so many videos showing this exact same thing. We know and it is absolutely horrible. Certain orange politicians wonder why no one wants to have kids, thinks 5k is gonna solve the issues, give me an f'n break.
RomanceRadish 10 months ago
If you get anesthesia, or require emergency delivery, etc, the specialist who walks into your room might be out of network (not covered, or covered poorly). Patients don't know until the bill arrives.
Snazzy Smurf 10 months ago
But...but what about $5K??? Wouldn't receiving that make you want to have kids?! /s
Roland Nijveld 10 months ago
How is this not a reason to protest or riot? Americans accept way too much. It won't change if you don't say stop
Kat Alison 10 months ago
U.S. women need to refuse to bear children until this gets changed (and a lot of other bad things about parenting in the U.S., like no maternity leave.)
Matthew Currie 10 months ago
Times sure have changed. When my daughter was born in Connecticut in 1978, we had to pay the whole bill before she left the hospital, because we weren't insured. But the amount? A little over $700.
Vincent Bevort 10 months ago
How come the USA still exists if giving birth is so expansive? The country should have died out by now!
LauraDragonWench 10 months ago
I don't, but I also have no means of escaping. So I'm trapped like a rat.
Load More Replies... Sarah 10 months ago
Sad for JustJessxo where she thinks she got a bargain. You were ripped off by your country.
Norm Gilmore 10 months ago
Yes. And I'd be interested to know how much insurance has been paid by justjessxo over the years.
Load More Replies...
Ben Aziza 10 months ago
Ahh yes slavery with extra obfuscated steps! Kinda like student loans in "Mandatory" Private universities! A concept I legit did not believe was real and an actual "normal" accepted thing in the USA. You get in debt to your overlords for the chance NAY the PRIVELEDGE of paying them back! For something i got for "free"* in a Third World country...Yeh that one is a puzzle to me. "Free" obviously means it is paid by taxes cus the society of said country deciding to give that to their kids...
Scott Rackley 10 months ago
Lol, and some pol was floating an idea about a $5K subsidy for new parents. Yeah, that'll help with the quarter mil it takes to raise a kid to 18.
John Dilligaf 10 months ago
$2100 a month for medical insurance and STILL get hit with a $44,000 bill. But thank God we don't have none of that SOciALiZed medicine in 'Murica
RomanceRadish 10 months ago
Also add in the cost of a few weeks unpaid time off work, and reimbursing your employer for your insurance premiums during that time.
Ruth Kilpatrick 10 months ago
My son had an outpatient appendectomy 7 years ago, total was $40,000+. I hate to think what it would be today.
Francesa Miller 10 months ago
My son was born at home with a midwife. Cost - $700. Comfort level - priceless.
Kat Alison 10 months ago
Some people have health issues that require a hospital and doctors.
Load More Replies...
Leigh Pierce 10 months ago
Sorry, but why wouldn't you look things like that up if you were planning a baby? I get surprise ones but would still have time to look it up before making a decision. I just feel it should be common sense to look up a massive investment like a kid would be.
Crystalwitch60 10 months ago
Private room after the birth erm ok then thank god for living in uk n nhs !!, amazing they where when I had my two 24-21 yrs ago couldn’t fault them , n no bloody bills sent either , those prices are a joke !
BeKind&Rewind 10 months ago
If I have to hear about "free" healthcare in countries where citizens pay 47% income tax, I am going to scream.
lenka 10 months ago
My first child was born in Australia. I had private room, traumatic emergency birth, blood loss, trauma surgeon and 7 day stay with baby in ICU. Our only cost was parking. Baby number two was born in the Netherlands. (Thankfully this time less traumatic). Our only cost was 50 euros and only because we wanted an extra scan for peace of mind (not medically necessary). American health system is wild.
arthbach 10 months ago
With child 2, I was in a private room. I had a planned C-section. I arrived at 6am on the Thursday, and was home by 10am on the Saturday. The whole thing cost me £80 for the private room. The actual cost of the whole thing was never made known to me. It was paid for from taxes. The more a person earns, the more they pay. Everyone receives care, and no one is forced into a position where they can not seek medical/maternity care due to insufficient funds.
Pittsburgh rare 10 months ago
I paid nothing for my daughter's birth (Spain) but we do get a paper with the cost of our medical treatments so we value our healthcare system and don't abuse it. However, this is a regional thing, some regions do it and others don't.
Load More Replies... Virgil Blue 10 months ago
Elon Musk: "why is the birthrate declining?" People like you making sure the future looks grim, and the crazy expenses involved in giving birth are just 2 of the reasons Elon.
Kat Alison 10 months ago
But HE can afford to have 14 kids…so he thinks everybody should do it.
Load More Replies... Pittsburgh rare 10 months ago
From the creators of 'student loans' now come...'birth loans'. That baby better get on his feet quickly to repay his debt. The US is insane.
General Anaesthesia 10 months ago
Now you know why many US states are relaxing child labor laws.
Load More Replies... zovjraar me 10 months ago
yet some people think a $5k payment is enough to incentivize more births.
Kat Alison 10 months ago
$5K is a drop in the bucket, compared to what it costs to have a baby in the U.S. We need more Luigis.
Load More Replies... Ejteh 10 months ago
Bizarre! It's almost as expensive as having a special needs baby in europe. Baby had to stay for 4 weeks, including a few days under very specialised care. I got to stay with him for 1 week. And my bills include special prenatal care: full array genetic research for baby and parents, a LOT of ultrasounds, other tests and researches and psychological help. And I only had to pay about €600, spread over 2 years. The rest is coverd by health insurance (for which I am oh so thankful) But universal health care is communism right?
Agat 10 months ago
Honest question: what happens if someone simply doesn't have money to cover the 40-k bill? Do they have to pay in installments till they pay it off? Or go to a bank to get a loan? Because we've heard about these costs for years but I don't think I've ever heard how people actually handle these bills once they get them.
B.Nelson 10 months ago
You get your wages garnished, your tax refund taken, constant threats and/or calls about your medical debt, possible lien against property...and then you file for bankruptcy and hope that clears it out.
Load More Replies... Jihana 10 months ago
A year ago I was diagnosed with cancer and had to have my uterus, ovaries, cervix and some lymph nodes removed. Surgery lasted 3,5 hours, I was in the ICU for 4 days, in the hospital for 7. According to my health insurance the whole thing cost 4700€,and all I had to pay was around 140€ for food (the reasoning is that I would have had to eat outside of the hospital as well) It's not just that we Europeans pay less, everything is just cheaper. If a pharma company wants to get on the list of approved d***s they have to agree on a lower price.
Sarah 10 months ago
That’s insanity, most European countries have free healthcare where all you pay for is a chocolate bar from the vending machine and car park. That’s it’s . When will Americans stop believing the lies and propaganda that they are living in a wonderful country. Get together and protest. Why is none of you doing this?
Bananaramamama 10 months ago
Yup. I had to pay $249 for "skin to skin contact time" which means to lay my just birthed child on my naked chest while they cut the cord. No joke. I had full health insurance, a discount because my wages were "below poverty level" and still wound up being taken to court for the remaining $9,000
Big Chungus 10 months ago
I think I am more shocked that people are shocked by this. There are so many videos showing this exact same thing. We know and it is absolutely horrible. Certain orange politicians wonder why no one wants to have kids, thinks 5k is gonna solve the issues, give me an f'n break.
RomanceRadish 10 months ago
If you get anesthesia, or require emergency delivery, etc, the specialist who walks into your room might be out of network (not covered, or covered poorly). Patients don't know until the bill arrives.
Snazzy Smurf 10 months ago
But...but what about $5K??? Wouldn't receiving that make you want to have kids?! /s
Roland Nijveld 10 months ago
How is this not a reason to protest or riot? Americans accept way too much. It won't change if you don't say stop
Kat Alison 10 months ago
U.S. women need to refuse to bear children until this gets changed (and a lot of other bad things about parenting in the U.S., like no maternity leave.)
Matthew Currie 10 months ago
Times sure have changed. When my daughter was born in Connecticut in 1978, we had to pay the whole bill before she left the hospital, because we weren't insured. But the amount? A little over $700.
Vincent Bevort 10 months ago
How come the USA still exists if giving birth is so expansive? The country should have died out by now!
LauraDragonWench 10 months ago
I don't, but I also have no means of escaping. So I'm trapped like a rat.
Load More Replies... Sarah 10 months ago
Sad for JustJessxo where she thinks she got a bargain. You were ripped off by your country.
Norm Gilmore 10 months ago
Yes. And I'd be interested to know how much insurance has been paid by justjessxo over the years.
Load More Replies... Ben Aziza 10 months ago
Ahh yes slavery with extra obfuscated steps! Kinda like student loans in "Mandatory" Private universities! A concept I legit did not believe was real and an actual "normal" accepted thing in the USA. You get in debt to your overlords for the chance NAY the PRIVELEDGE of paying them back! For something i got for "free"* in a Third World country...Yeh that one is a puzzle to me. "Free" obviously means it is paid by taxes cus the society of said country deciding to give that to their kids...
Scott Rackley 10 months ago
Lol, and some pol was floating an idea about a $5K subsidy for new parents. Yeah, that'll help with the quarter mil it takes to raise a kid to 18.
John Dilligaf 10 months ago
$2100 a month for medical insurance and STILL get hit with a $44,000 bill. But thank God we don't have none of that SOciALiZed medicine in 'Murica
RomanceRadish 10 months ago
Also add in the cost of a few weeks unpaid time off work, and reimbursing your employer for your insurance premiums during that time.
Ruth Kilpatrick 10 months ago
My son had an outpatient appendectomy 7 years ago, total was $40,000+. I hate to think what it would be today.
Francesa Miller 10 months ago
My son was born at home with a midwife. Cost - $700. Comfort level - priceless.
Kat Alison 10 months ago
Some people have health issues that require a hospital and doctors.
Load More Replies... Leigh Pierce 10 months ago
Sorry, but why wouldn't you look things like that up if you were planning a baby? I get surprise ones but would still have time to look it up before making a decision. I just feel it should be common sense to look up a massive investment like a kid would be.
Crystalwitch60 10 months ago
Private room after the birth erm ok then thank god for living in uk n nhs !!, amazing they where when I had my two 24-21 yrs ago couldn’t fault them , n no bloody bills sent either , those prices are a joke !
BeKind&Rewind 10 months ago
If I have to hear about "free" healthcare in countries where citizens pay 47% income tax, I am going to scream.
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