Herbal Remedies - Next on the soapbox re: insurance / Elizabeth

March 17, 2004

I had my youngest at the hospital (big mistake, but that's another post). We did (and still do until I can convince my husband it's worthless) have insurance through my husband's work, so we thought it would be cheaper to have the baby in the hospital. Before insurance, the hospital total cost (for a completely Unmedicated, natural, vaginal birth) was over $6000. The baby's hospital charges were over $1000. The doctor charged approx. $3500.

What did I get for all that? Dang, I coulda had some cruise! LOL ... I had the baby On my Own (no doctor or nurse in the room), a private room, baby taken away for several hours for "observation", no meds, woken up every 2 hours to check my blood pressure & temperature, and 2 lectures by 2 different pediatricians because I declined the HepB shot for the baby. *shaking head*

I should have stayed home and had the baby with the midwife we used before (with my 3.5 year old). We bartered most of her fee, and paid the balance in cash over several months. Totally uneventful home water birth, I slept when I wanted and nursed the baby as much as he needed to. No hassles, no problems. *sigh*

Jan

SAHM of 8, doula, breastfeeding advocate