For millions of women in the United States, being a mother comes with an extraordinary price tag. From pregnancy through childbirth and childcare, expenses are significantly higher than in most other wealthy nations.

The US also has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income countries at 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with fewer than three in Norway, Ireland, Switzerland and Italy. Black women are about three times more likely to die from childbirth complications.

According to FAIR Health, the national median in-network charge for a vaginal delivery is $15,178, rising to $19,292 for cesarean section births. Out-of-network costs can reach $31,117 and $44,432 respectively.

Maria Haris, 40, from Colorado, said despite having top-tier insurance, her childbirth and post-birth care were a big financial burden. “It was about $40,000 for the three days I was in the hospital and about $6,000 a night for the room,” she told Al Jazeera.

Medicaid finances 40.2% of all deliveries in the US. However, even insured mothers can face thousands of dollars in bills. The US remains one of the few wealthy countries without federally guaranteed paid maternity leave.

Jade, a mother of two from Chicago, received 12 weeks of paid leave at 60% of her salary plus four weeks unpaid. Her total bill for childbirth in 2018 was over $46,000, of which she paid $18,000 out of pocket.

Childcare costs also strain household finances. In 2023, US couples spent about 40% of disposable household income on childcare, the highest share among selected developed economies, compared to 22% in Ireland and near zero in Germany, Italy and Portugal due to state subsidies.

Source: www.aljazeera.com