Having a Baby Abroad: Maternity Care Costs in 37 Countries

The cost of having a baby varies dramatically around the world. In the US, the average cost of a normal delivery is $13,000, while a C-section can exceed $22,000. These figures make American maternity care among the most expensive globally.

Free Maternity Care

Many countries with universal healthcare provide free or nearly free maternity care. In the UK, France, Canada, and Scandinavian countries, prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care are covered by the public system with minimal out-of-pocket costs.

Affordable Options

In Thailand, a normal delivery at a top private hospital costs around $1,500-3,000. India offers comprehensive maternity packages from $500-2,000. Mexico averages $1,500-4,000 for delivery at private hospitals.

IVF Costs

IVF treatment costs $15,000+ per cycle in the US but can be performed for $3,000-5,000 in countries like Czech Republic, Spain, and India. This has made fertility tourism one of the fastest-growing segments of medical travel.