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What It Costs to Have a Baby

The expenses you’ll face when you have your first baby, and tips for spending wisely on your newborn.

By Heather Hatfield
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

For future moms who are thinking about having a baby, you usually ponder the excitement of pregnancy and the joy of holding your newborn in your arms. The price tag of actually bringing your child into the world is an afterthought.

But when you sit down with a calculator and start adding up the expense of pregnancy, giving birth, and what you need to survive the first few weeks with a newborn, the dollar signs appear.

From the price of diapers to the going rate for a cesarean section, here’s the bottom line for moms-to-be who want to learn more about the cost of having a baby, as well as where to save, and where to spend wisely.

The Price of Pregnancy

Although it’s easy to get excited about the countless number of baby supplies you can buy during the course of your pregnancy, your focus here should be not so much on spending but on your health, and your baby’s.

“Early and continuous prenatal care is essential both before and throughout your pregnancy to help ensure a healthy delivery, and healthy baby,” says Jeanne Conry, MD, an obstetrician with Kaiser Permanente in Sacramento, Calif.

This is where health insurance comes into play for the first time during your pregnancy -- if you have it, these visits and any diagnostic tests like ultrasounds will likely be covered and are generally considered preventive care. If not, be prepared -- the average cost of prenatal care is about $2,000, if you're paying out of pocket.

One of the most important elements of prenatal care is a prenatal vitamin, which contains at least 600 mcg of folic acid and aids in preventing some birth defects, like neural tube defects. This is one cost that should be incurred even before you get pregnant; because about half of all pregnancies are surprises, women of childbearing age should be on a multivitamin that contains folic acid, Conry says.

Ranging in price from $10 to $20 for an over-the-counter option, or the cost of a co-pay if covered by your insurance company and prescribed by your doctor, this could be one of the most important pregnancy investments you make.

Other pregnancy-related costs are maternity clothes, which can range from free if you hit up your mom-friends for hand-me-downs, to middle-of-the-road department store finds, to designer duds that cost hundreds of dollars. If you’re looking to save, this is one way to pinch pennies by borrowing and consignment shopping.

Preparing for Baby

Shopping for a newborn baby can be overwhelming, especially for first-time moms who aren’t sure what is necessary, and what’s just nice to have. Even more intimidating than the endless aisles of baby supplies is the chance of going overboard on baby luxuries that you’ll never use, but cost a fortune.

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