Come get all our budget home birth tips! We are passionate about birth, especially homebirth. We believe every woman should have access to birth the way she desires, wherever that may be. Many can feel that homebirth or midwifery care is unattainable for them due to finances. In this post we hope to address that concern and hopefully offer some helpful solutions….
How Home Birth Can Save You Money
It may sound surprising but for many, homebirth actually comes out cheaper than paying for a hospital birth, even with insurance. Homebirth in the U.S. (including prenatal, labor, birth, postpartum, and newborn care) can range anywhere from $3,500 to $7,000. It can be more or less depending upon your location. So for many the price left after insurance for a hospital birth can be well above that of a homebirth.
Budget Friendly Home Birth Tips
1. Health Share
Groups such as Samaritan Ministries or Christian Health Ministries often cover most, if not all homebirth costs through reimbursement. This can be a great option because if you’re already paying for an insurance policy anyway, why not switch to one that supports the desires you have for your healthcare. This will require a bit more planning though, as most health share ministries require purchase of the policy well before pregnancy. We know many find their pregnancy or need of homebirth unexpected so this isn’t a great fit for everyone at all times.
2. Baby Fund.
Have a “baby fund” in place of a baby shower. Instead of traditional baby shower gifts, you can ask for donations to your homebirth fund. Or if you’re not comfortable announcing your plans for homebirth just a “baby fund”.
3. Limit Other Spending
I know we don’t like to get told this, and for some it truly may not even apply. However, I have a hunch that if we search hard enough we could find some places where we’re a little too careless with spending. The little things add up. Like always getting our coffee out when we can make it at home cheaper, eating out for convenience instead of planning better, trips to the salon, the junk food we buy that we don’t really need, having 4 different streaming services or paying for cable.
There are lots of ways to save here and there and remember you typically have until 36 weeks to pay your full balance with your midwife for homebirth/prenatal services. A little discipline can bring some big savings when we add it all up.
4. A Loan
I know this isn’t ideal but there are plenty of things like our homes, cars, and “toys” we are willing to take a loan out for. Birth should be a priority too and if this is the only way to make your homebirth dreams come true then it’s worth some consideration in our opinion.
5. Early Pay Discount
Many midwives will offer an early payment discount if you pay before a certain time or a lump sum discount. This is where you can pay the amount in full for a cheaper price. I saved $1,000 using this option alone for my homebirth.
6. Tax Refund
If your pregnancy and tax season happen to be timed just right, use your refund, or a large portion of it towards your homebirth.
7. Finance Options
Ask your midwife about her finance options and payment plans. Many midwives will work with you on a payment plan.
8. Barter or Trade Services
Some midwives will agree to a bartering system. Where you offer a service to her in return for her services. I’ve seen this done with home projects. If you or your husband are handy around the house, with car repairs, lawn work can lay flooring. Or if you have chickens that give eggs, a farm with meat birds/or beef cattle, you may be able to barter services and goods in exchange for a discount or even full payment in some cases.
9. Personal Fundraising Efforts
Clean out items in your home and have a yardsale. If a yardsale seems like too much work, just post your items on marketplace.
10. Insurance
If you have an HSA, in most cases you can use some of the funds to help cover your homebirth. Negotiate your out of network benefits with your insurance company.
11. Offer Services
House cleaning, babysitting, etc. Do some side work when you are able to stack cash during pregnancy!
We hope these tips help! If you want more home birth tips check out our other posts for home birth mamas and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a post. Happy home birthing!
*Written by Anna Bourdess.
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