Pregnancy and birth care in the US?

Question

I was just wondering what kind of care you get in the US and do you have to pay for the care?

I live in the UK and we get a midwife, two scans at 12 and 20 weeks, antenatal checkups every 4 weeks, a consultant if it is a high risk pregnancy and a choice of giving birth in a hospital, birthing centre or at home.
Pain relief choces are birth pool, gas and air, pethedine, epidural.
How does that compare to US?

Answer 1

It varies from state to state. I live in the state of Georgia, and we get medicaid for pregnancy no matter who you are. The whole prenatal and delivery is free, Dr and hospital, and the follow up for mom, and the baby for the first year.

Answer 2

I had good insurance called an H.M.O.thru my husband's job that covered two years worth of fertility assistance and the meds. and surgeries we needed to concieve.Then I saw the doctor every 6-8 weeks and had 4 ultasounds. We took Lamaze classes which where covered by insurance. We were given a tour of the hospital at 6 months and chose a "birthing room" which is set up to seem like a bedroom and has it's own bath with jacuzi tub. I labored there for 15 hours with a labor nurse beside me and my husband and mom. After that I just wasn't dialating so I asked for an epidural and I went from3c to 10c and gave birth within an hour after the pain was relieved ! They said I was too stressed from pain to allow my body to open for her to be born. The Father cut the cord and they placed her on my chest. It was the greatest moment ofd my life ! That night I was put in a room to recover and my baby was put next to me in a cradle. They were encouraging me to send her to the nursery and sleep but I wasn't a bit tired and niether was she ! We sat up all night and talked to each other ! She nursed very well right after her birth !The next day we went home together ! She's 18 and in college now.Birth in the U.S. has come a long way since I was born. If you're worried get the book,"What To Expect When You're Expecting" It's the bible to new moms here ! Good Luck !

Answer 3

it all depends on the kind of insurance you have. If you have insurance at all...if you don't, usually the care providers limit your options as to the kind of care you have to minimize expense. For instance, just the doctor's visits with lab work and one ultrasound is almost $4000. That's not including any hospital charges.
I have good insurance, so I pay very little money, but my friend who has student health insurance is 7 mo. and has never seen a doctor because she become pregnant before the health insurance took effect. They will pay out of pocket a minimum of $2000 when the baby is born.