DH and I are really wanting to add another babe to our clan, but maternity coverage is RIDICULOUS!! Does anyone have tips on making it a little more feasible on a single income?
If you generally have easy pregnancies, and only a few minor complications during labor and delivery, you may consider just paying cash for your care. Many (if not most) doctors and hospitals offer discounts for customers that pay cash because they don't have the added hassles of dealing with insurance companies and waiting for payment. It's worth at least calling around and asking. You may find that the cost you'd spend on maternity coverage is more than just paying cash for all your care. Especially if you opt for a midwife and birthing center instead of a OBGYN and hospital.
This is really going to sound extreme, so keep in mind I'm just offering a suggestion. I've been hearing alot of women doing it "un-assisted" and just seeing a midwife once or twice for prenatal care. If you have had normal, uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries, this could be an option. Since I've learned to trust my own instincts regarding my kids, I've thought I could be one of those who did unassisted births at home, if I were still having babies. I guess once you stop trusting "experts" for one thing, it spills over to other areas of our lives.
We generally don't have uncomplicated pregnancies, unfortunately We've had one loss and two bed rest heavy pregnancies out of our 4. Maybe we're crazy wanting another one, but it's something neither of us can get out of our minds. For DH to continue bringing it up makes me really feel like it's where God is leading, just fearful of the expense, you know?
I started using midwives after number two and had one at home and one at a birth center, both scenarios were much cheaper than a hospital. Of course that doesn't help if you do have complications.
It seems the cost of everything is going up. Alternative birthing is an option for those who can do it. I have had four c-sections out of necessity. All of my births were high risk, so glad to have insurance at those times.
DS was born with no maternity coverage. Long story on how we lost coverage a month before I became pregnant but any way. I paid cash in full to the doctor's office. I had to be paid in full by 6 months. I got chipped out of some money though because he came very early and my doctor and her hospital could not handle the delivery so I paid all of my doctor's fees in full and she refunded nothing. I then paid doctor who did deliver, hospital, lab, and ambulance fees. As soon as he was born he became his own person in the eyes of the insurance and thankfully they covered him immediately. I did have our share of the NICU bill but I don't know what I would have done with out that. I don't think you are the least bit selfish for wanting another child. Just curios would you qualify for any assistance? I'm not a fan of government assistance but if tax dollars can pay for dead beat moms to have a baby I'd rather see you get help than them.
I've always been told, "If He brings you TO it, He'll bring you THROUGH it". I wouldn't go into it totally unprepared or without a "contingency plan", but when He says the time is right, go for it. Be sure you know what His Will is -- it might be a pregnancy, but it could be adoption or fostering or some other form of parenting.
My dh and I have never worried about how to pay for a pregnancy because we know that when God wanted us to have another he would prepare a way for us to pay for it. So far, it has always worked out. I do know that depending on the complications you have had in the past you still might be able to go with a midwife at a birthing center. Good luck to you!
I hope you are able to add to your family if that is what you want and where God is leading you. We had three children early in our marriage. One son and twin girls. Then years later we adopted four times. It is like having two families at times but they all love and support each other. I love still having kids at home now that Freddy and I are older. He is almost 59 and I am 57. Our youngest is 13 now. We got her when she was only three weeks old. All our adopted kids were our foster children first and our most expensive adoption was around $200. The other three were $36. each for the filing fee at the courthouse and the county refunded that since we adopted from foster care. We filled out our own adoption papers so there was no attorney fee. Just wanted to share this information in case you might be interested now or later on. Beth
Thank you Beth We actually have talked about adoption some, but it seemed totally out of reach due to the expense. I hadn't thought about the foster adoption route. That does give us something to think about!!
I really don't think they go by Age to much its is important but I know my grandparents adopt a child at the age of 62. They were more worried about there health and money. Age yea I think they look at it. But, I don't feel its that important.
