child birth in New Jersey

[brigsim]

There are no birth centers in NJ. The last one shut down about 15 years ago. Many hospitals claim to have "birth centers" but it is still the hospital; NOT a freestanding birth center. You will still have hospital charges. A midwife in the hospital will not be any cheaper than an OB in a hospital. You still have the delivery charges from the OB or midwife + the hospital charges. Midwives work with or under OBs in the hospital. I don't think you will save much (if anything) by not having many prenatal visits here. Doctors or midwives are paid for attending the delivery.

A homebirth in this state will run you $5000-6000 for the services of a homebirth midwife but many midwives will not do homebirth for women that they meet after 30 weeks of pregnancy.

Your best bet for avoiding a c-section in the hospital (to keep your costs down) is to show up at the last possible minute (not easy to do this!). If you labor for too long in the hospital, there is a good chance you will wind up with a c-section for a prolonged labor. I hate to say this but NJ is one of the worst states to birth in, especially if you want to avoid interventions that will jack up your bill.

[joe moving]

there was a birth center attached to pascack valley hospital.

why hate to say it, it is the truth. I think C section rate is like 50% in NJ. it is at least 1/3. that is not to say it cannot be controlled.

women in 2010 NJ consider a vaginal birth with an epidural "natural"!!!

i think you are right though. if you have the baby in the hospital a midwife or OB is not going to be much or any cheaper. in fact an OB may be cheaper.

what can cut costs down is do not take drugs, do not have a c-section, and go home as quickly as possible (also will help you to rest,since you cannot get any rest in a hospital).

i think 6000-8000 is usually the midwife package price for prenatal care and home delivery with no discount for people who make this decision later on in pregnancy.

check out the "bradley method" for more information on natural birth.

[GJM]

The closer you get to your due date, I had to go to the Dr. weekly.

Would you even be able to fly at 8 months. If you have been seeing a Dr. where you are why not just deliver there?

[brigsim]

Pascack Valley hospital closed a couple years ago. But, yes, there was once a freestanding birth center near there (which closed something like 10 or 15 years ago) and the midwives began attending births at the hospital. It's a shame that hospital closed. And, yes, the c-section rate in NJ is 40%!!! Doctors are now just telling many women to schedule c-sections because their babies are too big for vaginal birth. It's a little scary but they will tell you that they can't deal with the malpractice premiums anymore. It's safer for them to do c-sections because moms can't sue over c-sections. I'm really sorry that there is no way to have a cheap birth in NJ. Like the previous poster said, you want to avoid as many interventions as possible. Stay at home until you feel like you need to push so that the hospital can't force pitocin or pain meds on you (well, no one can force you but they can do a darn good job of coercing you).

[muslim123]

why dont you get insurance..its so expensive to give birth without insurance...

[1editor]

It will be much less expensive in the long run to get insurance, that way you can go to a hospital and have the medical professionals and equipment available when needed. Do you have insurance now for the country you are currently in? Have you looked at that policy and reviewed what their coverage is for hospital stays internationally? Have you talked to your doctor about travelling during the last term of your pregancy? Also check with the airline you intend to fly with, some have restrictions on allowing passengers to fly with them within the last few weeks before your due date [the following list is from 2006 and most probably been updated, but it will give you a general idea - Airline policies for pregnant travelers | BabyCenter]. Is it possible to stay in your present location so you can be with the doctor who has been providing pre-natal care for the first eight months and is aware of all your medical history during pregnancy?