How Much Does a Water Birth Cost?

Photo by Natalie Broders

Cost Comparison: Hospital and Free Standing Birth Center

Are you dreaming of a waterbirth, but think its out of reach?

Many people may assume that an out-of-hospital birth is inaccessible to them for financial reasons, but for those with private insurance, the cost of delivering at a birth center is often very similar to the cost of delivering at a hospital!

In 2022, the Kaiser Family Foundation analyzed data from hospital births around the United States and found that “the average out-of-pocket payments total $2,854 for women enrolled in large group plans.”

The average out-of-pocket cost for normal care at our birth center for clients with in-network insurance plans is very similar: $2,820.

The cost of care varies according to individual plans and deductibles, so please understand this is an average, and your estimate might be higher or lower. For those with high deductible insurance plans or without applicable insurance, we offer a $7,800.00 self-pay price.

Midwives Are Covered By Insurance

We are IN NETWORK with several major health plans, including

• MODA

• Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

• PacificSource

• United HealthCare

We accept many other out-of-network plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Providence, and Pan American Life.

Photo by Tanya Hladik

Estimates for Cost of Care

We provide all of clients with up front estimate for their out-of-pocket costs.

After you have attended a tour you can send us a copy of your insurance card. We will contact your insurance carrier and discuss how much it will cost to have a birth center birth with us.

We will email you an estimate prior to making the decision to move forward with your first appointment with the midwives, so you are able to make informed choices about your care.

A Birth Center is Centered on YOU

While the cost of having a birth center birth is similar to a hospital, there is value added in the personalized approach of midwifery care.

At Andaluz, you are not just a number. Our local hospital have as many as 2,000 births every year, while we have around 120. Since we are a smaller, more focused practice there are many things we can guarantee:

• Continuity of care
  You will have a chance to build relationships with our midwives during your prenatal care, and you will definitely to know the midwife who is with you during labor.
  
  With larger, hospital-based practices the chance that you will have met the provider on call when you are ready to have your baby is very slim.

• Appointments focused on building relationships
  Your appointments with our midwives regularly last around 45 minutes, giving you the time to ask questions, explore options for care, and discuss any concerns you might have.
  
  Longer appointments mean you get a chance to get the know your midwives, and your midwives get a change to know you!
  

• No limits on support people
  You are welcome to bring a support person and children with you to any of your appointments.
  
  And when it is time for you to come to the birth center in labor, you can bring as many support people as you desire. We welcome partners, doulas, friends, family, and older children!

• Freedom of movement
  You will have complete freedom and autonomy during labor to move and change positions. We do not give routine IVs or use continuous fetal monitoring, both of which impede movement and sometimes require you to lay in a bed.
  
  We also have tools like birth hammocks, birth balls, and Swedish ladders to encourage upright, active birth!

• Shorter stays with in-home care
  After your baby is born, you can expect to stay at the birth center for around 6-8 hours. When you are discharged, you will have 24/7 access to your midwife via phone/video call, and your midwife will come to you for a home visit when your baby is 1-2 days old. We also work with a lactation consultant who offers home visits.
  
  A shorter stay allows you to get more rest in the comfort of your home to help you recover from the difficult work of giving birth.
  

• Nourishing food
  We encourage eating and drinking during labor, and provide fresh, healthy snacks. We have a fully functioning kitchen, so you are also welcome to bring your own food for yourself and your support team.
  
  After your baby is born we will prepare you a smoothie and a light homecooked meal. When you are ready for something heavier, we will order you a meal from a local restaurant of your choice - all on the house!
  

Schedule a tour with us to learn more about what we offer and how we provide a different standard of care!