Most women don't want to undergo a cesarean delivery because it's major abdominal surgery, recovery times are twice as long, and it is more costly.
According to the Transparency in Coverage Final Rule*, health plans and issuers must make medical costs publicly accessible.
Many obstetricians today perform cesarean surgeries as if it's a routine procedure, but frankly, it is performed way too often in the United States and in other countries around the world with the provider fearing the mother and/or partner into a surgery that (in 75%± of cases) is truly not medically necessary.
So let's look at the cost breakdown. The majority of our birth clients are in the Northeast Florida region, within Duval County, Clay County, St. Johns County, and Nassau County.
We'll look at national, state, and county costs as well as individual hospital cost of vaginal vs. cesarean delivery at the major hospitals within the Jacksonville metro area.
We'll also provide links to see the estimated cost of each delivery based on your health insurance. Also stay tuned for our next blog article on comparing maternity care costs within Christian Health Sharing Programs by subscribing here (make sure to check the box next to "I want to subscribe to the newsletter.
FAIR Health's website** has a Cost of Giving Birth Tracker based on the state and type of delivery, and in or out of network.
According to FAIR's research conducted in September 2023, the national average in-network vaginal delivery cost is $14,000*** compared to in-network cesarean delivery cost at $17,000.
The national average out-of-network vaginal delivery cost is $28,700 compared to out-of-network cesarean delivery cost of $37,700.
Florida is the 5th highest cost state in the United States to deliver a baby, with New Jersey's cost of out-of-network cesarean delivery being the highest cost at $52,600.
Slightly older data from 2021-2022, according to the Florida HealthPrice Finder****, found the Florida average in-network vaginal delivery cost was $14,700 compared to in-network cesarean delivery cost at $18,000.
The Florida average out-of-network vaginal delivery cost was $22,200 compared to out-of-network cesarean delivery cost of $26,000.
Looking at just in-network cost of vaginal delivery vs. c-section (hospital charges only due to limited county data) in each of the counties we primarily serve the results are respectively:
Duval County: $12,100 vs. $16,700
Clay County: $13,900 vs. $15,000
St. Johns County: $11,800 vs. $15,000
By hospital, the cost of vaginal delivery vs. c-section is:
HCA Orange Park Medical Center: $21,000 vs. $27,600
Ascension St. Vincent's Clay Hospital: $18,100 vs. $20,300
Baptist Health Downtown: $19,000 vs. $23,800
UF Health Downtown and North: $15,400 vs. $20,600
Flagler Hospital: $14,500 vs. $16,700
Check specific cost for vaginal vs. c-section at the facility for which you are considering to birth by following the links below, inserting your insurance information for a detailed cost breakdown.
As you can see, the difference in cost between a vaginal and cesarean delivery is between $1,100-$9,000. This is just the cost of facility charges alone in some cases and with cesarean delivery, once a mother has one, they are more likely to have another cesarean delivery.
Each cesarean delivery produces long-term negative effects on the mother and baby, requiring additional medical and non-medical costs, such as but not limited to chiropractic care, physical therapy, essential oils, etc.
Having doula support addresses all three concerns a mom has surrounding a cesarean. Well trained and active doulas:
reduce cesarean rates by 50%.
help moms prenatally, during labor, and postpartum to recover faster.
reduce the overall out of pocket medical cost incurred to the mother and her family.
If the cost of doula services average $1650 and two of the many benefits to having a doula are a 50% increased likelihood of having a vaginal delivery and 25% shorter labor time*****, it's a no brainer!
If you're local to Jacksonville, talk to one of our well trained Christian doulas today and find out why you should have Agape Doulas LLC for your next birth experience! Click the button below to book a free consultation!
If you're not local to Jacksonville, consider virtual doula services and/or childbirth classes/courses from Agape Doulas LLC! Click below to get started!
Hope you have a blessed day and heavenly birth experience!
Your trusted Christian doula and childbirth educator,
Naomi
***Costs in this article are rounded to the nearest $100.
@agapedoulasllc
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