More expensive: home birth or hospital?

Question

This is my first, and I’m definitely outweighing the options. I have a family of doctors/nurses who are urging me to go to the hospital, but I’ve always wanted to do a home birth.  We actually live in a split duplex, so another concern is being too loud and the people living next to us will hear me 😅
Would that also be something I’d have to make sure is okay with my landlord…? I feel like as long as there’s no water damage from the birthing tub or anything I’d be fine but 🤷🏻‍♀️ 
The biggest factor is price. We have good insurance, but can you even use insurance for midwives/doulas for a home birth? 
I’m only 12 weeks and this is my first like I said, so I plan on doing an abundance of more research but i thought I’d ask people for their first hand experiences.
Thank you!

Answer

Depends on the insurance. We did hospital births both times, which I loved but my obs and hospitals were not pushy and I was able to do any sort of birthing I wanted in any position with no restrictions so was amazing, but when insurance called and went through benefits was told they covered hospital births with our normal coverage. That included a certified midwife with hospital privileges. Doulas had s $1500 max. If you did birthing center it only covered 50% of the cost after the deductible. It covered nothing for a home birth. All costs of people coming to you and all that were all out of pocket 100% and there were all sort of restrictions and weird things about coverage if something went wrong and you needed to be transported and hospitalized. It didnt covered it the same because it was considered going against medical advice. Not sure what it was exactly as we didn't need it so didn't look in to it. Call you insurance and see what all options are for coverage. They should go over it in detail and answer all questions because it varies by insurance. If it doesn't cover it depending on the insurance still could be cheaper if you have a high deductible, it all jsut depends. My sister had a home birth and they had to pay out of pocket. Her midwife and the home birthing costs were about $9200 and she had a feiwnd that was a doula and did it for free but not sure how much that would have added. For her it was worth it in the end but would have been $2500 in a hospital. Just investigate all options and get as much info as you can. You'll know the right choice.

Answer

Usually insurance doesn’t cover at home births so I would say that’s more expensive . But you can give them a call and see. Also do what you want!! Not what others are telling you. If you want a home birth stick to your wishes and don’t let them influence you. Just make sure you have all the information and you are prepared. I also don’t think you have to mention it to your landlord it’s really not their business but if you feel better telling them I suppose you could .

Answer

Adding things to consider to your research should an emergency situation arise: 
1. Average response time of emergency medical services in your area
2. Average time to get to closest hospital - consider traffic at all times of day
3. Does closest hospital have NICU? If not, average time to get to closest hospital with NICU. Again, consider traffic at all times of day

Answer

Not having home birth but I’ve only had midwives. First birth was in a birthing center that insurance covered, last two were in a hospital with midwives which insurance covered as long as deductible was met. This time around, I’m paying out of pocket at a different birthing center. There isn’t a huge difference between our deductible and the out of pocket fee however, if there’s an emergency, we would need to pay the hospital fee on top of the out of pocket for birthing center. 
I had considered home birth for a minute but yes, like you stated, you make a lot of noise and I didn’t want to scare my kids. Good luck!

Answer

I had my first in a hospital with a traditional ob office, my birth experience was terrible. I’m pregnant for the 3rd time second baby and am seeing a midwife in a different state (45 mins) from home and will be delivering at a hospital, they have laboring tubs but don’t allow you to birth in it which is fine I find it gross but don’t care if others do it. I’d call your insurance company and see what they cover, if they’d even cover a home birth, you can find birthing centers that let you have a natural/ unmediated water birth

Answer

For me, birth center was more expensive. Best to call your insurance though. At least with the birth center you’ll get a solid quote whereas a hospital bill can totally vary depending on what they determine needs to be done, and keep in mind baby may need NICU care either way and then you’ll have both bills.

Answer

Following! Iv had 2 hospital births and I’m curious about this also. With our ins we only pay a 25$ copay so if it’s more than that skirrrttt 🤣

Answer

You’ll have to call your insurance . My insurance doesn’t cover a doula or home birth

More expensive: home birth or hospital?

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