Childbirth is a wonderful life experience universally speaking, but the costs of delivery and antenatal care vary widely around the world. In developed economies, public health insurance often takes care of the hospital bill for having a baby.
In thickly populated India, however, the cost to patient can
vary widely. The cost of childbirth depends the facility chosen for the baby
delivery, and the parents’ insurance scheme. Here, we do a comparative analysis
of how much it costs to deliver a baby in India. Do note that these costs are
only applicable for a normal, healthy childbirth either vaginally or by
Caeserian (C-section). If any complications arise and further treatment is
necessary, the costs can shoot up significantly, for instance, a forceps
delivery and extended hospital stay can add between INR 15-20,000 to the cost
of a vaginal delivery.
Even on a global level, childbirth expenses swing across the
cost pendulum. Some insurance companies leave new parents to pay up to USD 5000
in the United States, while in the UK, a delivery outside of the NHS network
can start from 7000 pounds! In Nigeria, policy dictates free access to
healthcare for pregnant women, but reality often is very different. Also, baby
delivery costs at a private hospital in South Africa can touch a whopping
R45,000, and you would need to specifically check if your insurance covers the
hospital bill. Pregnancy costs India
As a uniform rule in most countries, insurance companies
need to be informed within the first few months of pregnancy, as childbirth is
not considered an emergency.
Here, we do a comparative analysis of how much it costs to
deliver a baby in India. Do note that these costs are only applicable for a
normal, healthy childbirth either vaginally or by Caeserian (C-section). If any
complications arise and further treatment is necessary, the costs can shoot up
significantly, for instance, a forceps delivery and extended hospital stay can
add between INR 15-20,000 to the cost of a vaginal delivery.
All costs are in INR.
Cost of Vaginal Birth Cost
of a C-Section
Government Hospital/ Health Centre 1500 (rural) and 2000 (urban) onwards 6000 onwards
Private Health Centre 20,000
onwards 25,000 onwards
Private Health Centre (Luxury) Up to 2 lakh Up to 2
lakh
A lot of urban Indian women where both partners have fixed
incomes opt to give birth at a private or luxury hospital. Amenities here
include basics such as privacy and space for the mother and child, as well as
alternate birthing facilities such as water birthing and specialists for
prenatal classes. Certain hospitals in Bangalore are known to go the extra
mile, right from picking up the to-be mom in a Mercedes to television sets and
the entertaining of personal requests at the time of birth. A once in a
lifetime birthing experience indeed!. high risk pregnancy
However, a near-tenfold climb in birthing fees between public
and private centres means that a major portion of the populace has no choice
but to pick public hospitals. Also, private hospitals are usually restricted to
tier 1 and tier 2 cities and major towns, so a rural health centre is often the
first point of medical contact when it comes to childbirth.
Hospitals that offer access to lab and diagnostic services,
lactation consultants and experienced doctors all under one roof are often
preferred. Having said that, there is great disparity in quality of care even
between hospitals with similar price points. Hence, before choosing a hospital,
it is best to tour the facility thoroughly, observe what isn’t being told and
make an informed choice.
Website: https://pregnancycosts.togetherforher.com/
Website: https://pregnancycosts.togetherforher.com/
