What Does It Cost to Deliver a Baby in India.

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/