Jan 7, 2020
Labor complications can double the cost of childbirth
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Complications can nearly double the cost of delivering a baby, according an analysis from health care alliance company Premier.
Why it matters: More women are experiencing complications during labor — the rate rose by 36% from 2008 to 2018, per Premier.
- Vaginal births with complications cost about 80% more, on average, than ones without complications.
- Cesarean deliveries cost about double those with no complications.
A separate study, published Monday in Health Affairs, shows that out-of-pocket costs for maternity and childbirth care rose from $3,069 to $4,569 between 2008 and 2015, for women with employer-based insurance.
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