My parents used to tease that I was one of the most expensive things in the house. Well, I thought it was a joke until I gave birth to my son after a high-risk pregnancy.Sure enough, he is the most expensive thing in the house.

So, how much does a birth cost? While the costs vary widely depending on your insurance coverage and location, it can be helpful to understand the basics of how much it costs to give birth and some of the things you can expect.

Do all hospital births cost the same?

The simple answer is no. What you pay out of pocket to deliver your baby is going to depend on a few things:

1. Your health insurance plan

Different insurance plans cover different services.Your out-of-pocket expenses will often be based on your deductible and whether or not you met your deductible.

2. What type of birth you have

The Kaiser Family Foundation analyzed the costs of childbirth—including prenatal care, birth expenses, and postpartum care—in the United States. In this analysis, they found that the average cost varied by delivery type.

• A vaginal delivery averaged $14,768 and resulted in around $2,655 out-of-pocket expenses.
• A cesarean section averaged $26,280 and resulted in around $3,214 out-of-pocket expenses.

Remember: The actual cost varies depending on a variety of factors. For example, on a high-deductible plan, you could pay up to your deductible if you haven’t already met those out-of-pocket expenses.

3. How long you stay in the hospital

Your length of hospital stay can depend on your postpartum care and needs or your baby’s needs. If your baby has to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), you may be responsible for extra expenses.

For a vaginal birth, insurance covers an average of two days in the hospital. For a cesarean section birth, insurance covers an average of four days in the hospital.

This may vary due to your insurance coverage, but there are state laws that set guidelines for what insurance plans have to cover for hospital maternity stays.

How much do home births and birthing centers cost?

Many people prefer a less clinical delivery setting like a birthing center or a home birth. Some insurance plans cover home births or birthing center births.

Generally, midwives charge a rate between $3,000 to $9,000. Midwife fees can cover prenatal care, birth, postpartum support, and newborn care. There may be other charges for services like ultrasounds, supplies, or labs. Many women who birth at home or a birthing center may opt to have a doula for additional support. A doula can cost anywhere between $500 and $2000 depending on where you are located. Some hospitals and organizations offer free or low-cost doula support, so make sure to research what's available in your area. If you want to deliver at home or a birthing center, do your research, contact your insurance, and talk to your OBGYN or midwife.

Can I get financial assistance for childbirth?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses before you reach your deductible. Check with your HR representative to see what benefits are available at your workplace.You may qualify for Medicaid depending on your income level. Typically, Medicaid covers all of your expenses related to labor and delivery, so make sure to explore this option if you think you may be eligible.

How much does an uninsured birth cost?

If you are pregnant and uninsured, it may feel overwhelming to navigate labor and delivery costs. The good news is that you are allowed to enroll in a new healthcare plan outside of the healthcare.gov open enrollment period if you have a qualifying life change—such as pregnancy. Apply as soon as possible to choose an insurance plan or to find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid.

If you opt to go through delivery without insurance, your OBGYN may offer discounts for cash-paying patients. If you already have an OBGYN, talk to their billing department to see if they offer a sliding scale or cash pay discount.

5 things you should know about the cost of labor and delivery

1. Make sure your OBGYN and hospital are in-network.
2. Explore pregnancy resources you may be eligible for.
3. Contact your insurance company and see if they can help estimate your out-of-pocket expenses. Hospitals are required to provide pricing information online about their services. Just remember there are different charges within a birth. Some costs come from the hospital, while others come from other providers, including your OBGYN and pediatrician.
4. When you start receiving hospital bills, contact the hospital to see if they have any assistance programs or payment plans to help you navigate these out-of-pocket expenses.
5. Unexpected things happen. No matter how much you research or prepare, labor and delivery requires a bit of flexibility. You may be at the hospital longer than expected. Or your baby may need a little more care than you anticipated. Seek support from your community to navigate these unexpected challenges.

Wondering what you may have to pay for birth can be overwhelming. Take a deep breath! While you can’t anticipate every cost, you can give yourself an advantage by seeking information from your insurance company and healthcare providers to find clarity about your childbirth costs.

Remember that the goal of all of this is to help you safely bring a baby into the world. It may not be easy, and it may cost a bit. I remember the burden I felt when trying to navigate the cost of birth—now my son is one year old and I can tell you that it was all worth it.