Weekend Pregnancy Chatter 8/19

TheJerilu · August 2016

This is the weekend chatter thread to... you know... talk about pregnancy and stuff. Wondering what everybody's opinion on doctors vs midwifes vs doulas? Find a good cure for something that's been ailing you? Just had one of those "holy smokes I'm GROWING a HUMAN like it's a potted plant or something, but INSIDE MY BODY" moments? Have a rando ask when the baby is due and you're like, "Wait, I'm not even showing yet, not sure if I should be polite or rude at this point"? Whatever comments or stories or questions or etcetera you got that don't quite fit into the other organizational threads, this is probably the spot.

housewifehobbyist · August 2016

My Midwife group just called to go over insurance with me. I'm not sure if others do this, but they broke down how much the prenatal, birth, and postnatal care costs, how much is covered, and what extras we might expect. I'm really appreciative that they walked me through all of it, but I just feel like baby is already like

STM2017 · August 2016

@housewifehobbyist, this is yet another reason why I love living in Canada. Seriously, the costs associated with having a baby in USA is ridiculous!!!

housewifehobbyist · August 2016

@STM2017 between that and the parental leave you canucks really have it made!

I was just pleased that they would put off billing until 2017 so I don't have to meet my deductible twice.

blackasnight · August 2016

@housewifehobbyist my OB office goes over all the insurance coverage and financials on your first visit. You have to pre-pay the OB delivery fee which I have broken up into monthly payments. It makes it not *as* bad when the baby is born to have one chunk of the fee out of the way.

mylittleirvz · August 2016

@blackasnight That would be so nice to have part of the fees out of the way! I told my husband i was thinking about asking the office this time if we could pay them so much a month to be put towards the bill later on. I guess if they say no, I need to be diligent at putting money aside into my savings account each month.

allybadry · August 2016

I'm with you @STM2017- I'm sure thankful to be having this kiddo in Canada.

Out of curiosity, how much does it cost to have a baby in the US... with my last kiddo the only thing I would have been responsible for was some perscriptions for zofran and diclecti, and the upgrade to a private hospital room (my private insurance covered those so I paid nothing...).

Dax28 · August 2016

@allybadry I get incredible insurance from DH's job. For me it will only cost $250. For a non complicated delivery. After that like it is
$200 per night for complications up to 5 days then after that no more charges. I think the most I would pay is 2-3k but I don't remember the exact number.

pinkshades05 · August 2016

@allybadry I'm in San Diego and the birth center we go to charges $4500 and we pay whatever our deductible is and insurance covers the rest. So this baby may be $500 if everything goes well. I do know $4500 is cheaper than hospitals which can go upwards of $10k.

TheJerilu · August 2016

Dax28 said:

@allybadry I get incredible insurance from DH's job. For me it will only cost $250. For a non complicated delivery. After that like it is
$200 per night for complications up to 5 days then after that no more charges. I think the most I would pay is 2-3k but I don't remember the exact number.

I, too, am in the "very lucky with my insurance" boat. My company is a baby factory and tries to treat its employees well, so they cover all costs of a standard pregnancy (tests, OB visits/ultrasounds, birth, and I think up to 5 night hospital stay for me and then a reduced cost) and they've got a very low NICU out of pocket.

If I were on my partner's insurance, it would be I think $500 for the birth (not counting hospital stay) and standard copay for doc visits / tests / ultrasounds (I think copay is $50 per appointment on his?).

Even though I've been dealt a great hand, I truly hate the US health insurance system for the sake of those that have not.

gaylew5 · August 2016

Mine was zero.(except a $10 copay for some visits however my union refunds all copays, so still zero) they even pay for nursing bras and bottle brushes and $1k a year of any babysitting/daycare costs. I live in the US. I use the free insurance through my work.

allybadry · August 2016

It's interesting that it can vary so much. I've heard some crazy stories and always wondered how realistic they were. Last year a lady from Canada gave birth early while on vacation in Hawaii (I think she was 6 months). There was extended care for mom and baby. The news was reporting her hospital bill at nearly a million dollars! I was so shocked, I immediately stopped being jealous that yoy guys get breast pumps covered...

mrsstuessy · August 2016

@TheJerilu Maybe you don't have to feel that bad for those that have not. DD was not planned, we were in school, etc. We were on Medicaid (in Wisconsin, Badgercare). We paid not a dime. All other children will cost so much more for us. Obviously being poor sucks. I still am, so I know. But, the health insurance side of things is pretty nice (at least for having babies).
My dad is a "wealthyish small business owner", who because of a small genetic condition has a $6,000 deductible. Because of his medical treatment he pays that almost every year.

I'm not saying America has got it right. Honestly, I'm really truly not. But insurance is not fair for a lot of people both rich and poor.

TheJerilu · August 2016

@mrsstuessy
Eh, I hate the US health insurance system in general, not just pregnancy specific. There have been some strides to improve it, but I think we're years behind other nations.

Dax28 · August 2016

I agree as well, the US health care system sucks big time sometimes. I'm so glad I have insurance now since I didn't for the first 26 years of my life!

KirstinH88 · August 2016

When I was pregnant with DS, I was under 26 years of age, not married (though DH is the father), and was covered under my moms health insurance. She works for a hospital group and apparently had great coverage. We did not have to pay for anything out of pocket except for my initial $30 copay.

This time around, DH and I have insurance provided by DHs union. I doubt the coverage is as good, but I honestly haven't even looked into it. I think it's about $250 for the labor/delivery portion.

gardenmama17 · August 2016

My employer insurance covered everything (less a few small co-pays for postpartum prescriptions and LC visits). I'm on DH insurance now, which has no premium but a 2k deductible. I may go back on my old plan this year. Not sure yet.

poetryandoceans · August 2016

allybadry said:

It's interesting that it can vary so much. I've heard some crazy stories and always wondered how realistic they were. Last year a lady from Canada gave birth early while on vacation in Hawaii (I think she was 6 months). There was extended care for mom and baby. The news was reporting her hospital bill at nearly a million dollars! I was so shocked, I immediately stopped being jealous that yoy guys get breast pumps covered...

*lurking from J17* Just a heads up that if you have any insurance through your or your husband's employer, a lot of extended health coverage in Canada does cover a pump. You just need a note from your doctor indicating that it's "medically necessary"... but I'm pretty sure any doc or midwife would write that in a heartbeat.

LittleChick2 · August 2016

I feel like we'll be paying so much more than everyone! This baby is going to cost around $3500 after insurance, if I switch to my husbands plan it would be $2500 but the premium is $100 a month more.

schef070911 · August 2016

Sooooo I've been feeling like I want to really try and eat healthier, and to that end I found a recipe for lentil soup that sounded really good this morning. I've got it on the stove now and... it is making my stomach turn. Ugh!! Looks like I'll be freezing it for later and just eating the bread I bought to go with it.

And to join on the insurance discussion, I totally agree that plans vary widely in the US. My current plan (through a public university), though I didn't realize it at the time I enrolled, is actually hella good and will hopefully make it to where we have no more than $500 in total costs (possibly way less for uncomplicated delivery). I met with a lady in HR when we were TTC - she had had a baby while on the plan and was super helpful in explaining things!!

catem07 · August 2016

I work for a Catholix university and our health plan seems really good. It says "no cost" for prenatal care and for birth on my schedule of benefits, and I don't have a deductible. Hoping my interpretation is accurate. Two of my colleagues are pregnant but I don't know if they're on our plan or spouses'. I should ask them about it.

holzie-2 · August 2016

Had bleeding last night, about 2 AM. Cleared up around 4. More blood around 11 AM, went to urgent care and they transferred me to the ER as they couldn't do an ultrasound. At the hospital I was diagnosed with a subchorionic hemorrage. They said that this is fairly common and there is nothing that can be done to stop it. Has anyone else had this? Is there anything that I can do to prevent it in the future? I was so scared I was losing one of the twins. The ultrasound showed Baby B is still behind, but the FHR was strong, so Baby B is hanging on!

Rileypie · August 2016

Some of you are so lucky with insurance! My DD cost us about $4500...different company now so not 100% on the cost this time, but should be similar. We have been saving for months since we started to think about having another baby.

allybadry · August 2016

@poetryandoceans I'll have to look into that. I was pretty sure I called last time and they told me they weren't covered. We have a wellness spending account so they might tuck them under that portion. I usually max it out on yoga pants...

@Holzie Gosh, that sounds scary. I've never had that happen so i can't speak from experience, but I would say your best bet is to take her easy, relax whenever possible and try to take care of yourself. As mamas our bodies have an amazing ability to heal and recover. Listen to the doc and stay positive.

Want a personalized experience?

Weekend Pregnancy Chatter 8/19

Re: Weekend Pregnancy Chatter 8/19

Choose Another Board

Search Boards