Cost of Labor and Delivery: What to Expect

The cost of labor and delivery in the United States varies enormously—from a few thousand dollars for an uncomplicated home birth with a midwife to tens of thousands for a hospital birth without insurance. Where you give birth, who attends you, and whether you have insurance all shape your final bill. This guide breaks down typical labor and delivery cost by setting and how to plan. Use our birth cost calculator to see average costs by state.

Why Labor and Delivery Cost Varies So Much

Labor and delivery cost depends on the setting (hospital, birth center, or home), the provider (OB, midwife, or both), the type of birth (vaginal vs cesarean), and your insurance. Hospital facility fees alone can be $10,000–$30,000 or more for a vaginal delivery without insurance; add provider fees, anesthesia if used, and newborn care. With insurance, you typically pay your deductible and coinsurance—often $500–$5,000 or more depending on your plan. Birth center and home birth cost are often a single package ($3,000–$15,000) that may or may not be covered by insurance. Birth cost by state also varies: the same type of delivery can cost more in high-cost regions.

Hospital Labor and Delivery Cost

Hospital birth is usually the most expensive option out of pocket. The cost of labor and delivery in a hospital includes facility charges (labor room, delivery room, recovery), physician or midwife fees, and often anesthesia, medications, and newborn care. Uncomplicated vaginal delivery might be billed at $15,000–$25,000 or more before insurance; cesarean delivery often $25,000–$50,000+. With insurance, you pay according to your plan—deductible, copays, coinsurance—so your out-of-pocket labor and delivery cost might be a few hundred to several thousand dollars. If you’re uninsured or have a very high deductible, asking for a cash estimate and payment plans can help. Our calculator doesn’t include hospital facility fees (which vary by hospital and insurance) but does show typical costs for doulas and midwives, who often work alongside hospital births.

Birth Center and Home Birth: Lower Labor and Delivery Cost for Low-Risk Births

For low-risk pregnancies, birth center and home birth can offer a lower total cost of labor and delivery. Birth center cost typically bundles midwife and facility fees—often $5,000–$15,000. Home birth cost with a midwife often runs $3,000–$8,000 and may include supplies and prenatal/postpartum care. Insurance may cover birth center or home birth in some states and plans; when it doesn’t, you pay the package out of pocket. Weighing hospital vs birth center vs home birth cost helps you choose a setting that fits your health, preferences, and budget.

Adding a Doula to Your Labor and Delivery Cost

Many families add a doula to their birth team. The cost of a doula is separate from hospital or midwife fees—usually $800–$2,500 for a birth package. Some insurers and state Medicaid programs now cover or contribute to doula cost, which can reduce the total cost of having a baby. Including doula cost in your labor and delivery budget gives you a clearer picture of total spending.

Labor and Delivery Cost With vs Without Insurance

The cost of labor and delivery with insurance is usually your plan’s deductible, copays, and coinsurance—often $500–$5,000 or more for a vaginal delivery, and more for a cesarean. Without insurance, hospital labor and delivery cost can be $15,000–$50,000+. Birth center and home birth cost are often a fixed package ($3,000–$15,000) that may or may not be reimbursed by insurance. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, ask hospitals and birth centers about self-pay rates, payment plans, and financial assistance. Understanding labor and delivery cost in both scenarios helps you choose a setting and plan your budget. Our calculator focuses on doula and midwife costs; combine it with your insurer’s or facility’s estimates for a full picture.

How to Estimate Your Labor and Delivery Cost

To estimate your cost of labor and delivery: (1) Confirm your birth setting and provider (hospital/OB, hospital/midwife, birth center, or home). (2) Call your insurance company and ask what’s covered and what you’d pay for a vaginal and cesarean delivery. (3) If you’re considering a doula or out-of-network midwife, add those costs. (4) Use our birth cost calculator to see average doula and midwife costs by state. That combination gives you a realistic range for your labor and delivery cost.