- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Anticipating Baby
The Unexpected Cost of Parenthood
By Jenn Director Knudsen
(American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005), had a problem-free pregnancy. Her delivery, however, was not so. She needed an episiotomy, vacuum, forceps and emergency C-section. Then, once her son was finally born, he developed jaundice and was sent home with bilirubin lights to goad his immature liver into normal function. "I had everything for one baby," says Shu.
She also had terrific insurance. "When I had my son, I paid nothing at all," says Shu. But not everyone is as fortunate as Shu.
Kelly Johnson, a preschool teacher in Beaverton, Ore., also had good coverage but she still had to pay. She doled out a $150 co-pay for routine visits to her obstetrician during pregnancy and the vaginal delivery of her son. And for her and her new son's 48-hour hospital stay, Johnson owed an additional $350.
Insurance benefits vary from company to company and even state to state. And hospital costs – those passed on to insurance companies before you're billed – vary widely, too.
Shu gave birth in Denver, lived for a stint in San Francisco and now practices in New Hampshire. She says her health care costs have changed with her address. "So it's important to ask [your insurance company about its benefits] so you don't get surprised by a big bill," she says. "It's just better to be informed in advance."
Shu says Children's Hospital at Dartmouth, where she is director of the normal newborn nursery, charges $1,700 for "an uncomplicated newborn stay," which doesn't even include costs for Mom.
Want to see more?
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to 
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||
