Even if you have insurance, giving birth can be expensive. Everything adds up, and insurance doesn’t cover everything. That’s why this 3rd time mommy is considering skipping the epidural to save $900.
I’m Skipping the Epidural to Save $900
**Important Mom Info** This post isn’t meant to shame people who have epidurals or those that don’t. I’m merely sharing my feelings. This is not meant to start a debate about the best way to birth a baby. Let’s make sure to support all moms who labor in all different ways!
Baby Max will make his arrival this weekend. How do I know? We have a scheduled induction. I started writing this post months ago when I formulated my “birth plan”. The plan was to labor naturally. The plan has changed due to some issues and now my doctor feels best inducing. I’m scared to death that with an induction, I’ll be more inclined to want an epidural. I’m going to have to keep reminding myself of this post and why I don’t want an epidural. I’m not going to lie, I’m a little nervous about the pain!
There are several reasons why I don’t want an epidural, but I mostly want to share the financial reason in this post. Did you know that epidurals cost an average of $1200?
Even with insurance, my last epidural cost $900 out of pocket. Here’s the kicker: it didn’t work! I have a slight curve from scoliosis and the doctor couldn’t get the needle in the right place.
The anesthesiologist tried to convince me to do another one and I’m so glad I didn’t. Not only was my birth without an epidural easier than the one I had with an epidural, I would have had to pay for 2 epidurals!
I can’t tell you how annoying it was to write a $900 check to the hospital for something that didn’t even work. I’m pretty sure I wrote something snarky in the comment line because I was so mad and full of new mom hormones.
I’m not writing this to convince anyone not to get an epidural. Instead I hope to offer a different viewpoint from all the other articles you might find about epidurals. There are tons and tons of articles about the safety of epidurals and the history of natural childbirth. I hope to offer some insight about the realities of paying for the epidural.
Babies are expensive already. It’s good to know the cost of birthing a baby before you get stuck with the bill!
Let me tell you why I don’t think it’s worth paying for another one.
I find epidurals to be extremely painful. In fact, I found it to be the worst part of both of my previous deliveries. Staying completely still during already painful contractions for an epidural is the most horrifying pain I remember from childbirth. I’m positive that the actual delivery hurt worse, but the epidural is what scarred me for life. Isn’t it funny the things we forget during childbirth and the things we remember?
BTW- I’m not afraid of pain. Shots don’t scare me. I’ve even been known to get cavities filled without novocain just because I hate feeling numb for a few hours afterwards. Even with a high pain tolerance, I can’t stand the epidural.
Another reason I hated the epidural is because my back hurt for days afterwards. I’m not sure if this is normal, but my spine felt super bruised and sensitive. Possibly from scoliosis? Adding to that pain, I’m allergic to the latex tape that they use. Even when I asked the doctors not to use the tape, they still used it so I ended up with extremely irritated skin for weeks afterwards.
So this time around I plan to grin scream and bear it, and then not feel guilty when I go on a little shopping spree after the baby is born. A new postpartum wardrobe sounds a whole lot better than paying $900 for something that may or may not work.
All this being said, I’m still scared to death! What if I get there and really really want it? Will I decide to make a $900 gamble? Who knows! Stay tuned and I’ll let you know next week.
How much would you pay to be pain free during childbirth? Would you take the gamble if you knew it might not work again?
Side note: Before having my first son, Robert, I did a lot of research about epidurals and decided I didn’t want one. The pain was so bad that I caved. If you are on the fence about an epidural please do some research on valid medical sites, not mom blogs like this. Also, talk to your doctor or midwife about it before coming to a decision!
I understand your frustration about having to pay for an epidural that didn’t work, but keep in mind you are paying for the medicine, the supplies, the staff who placed the epidural, etc. You are NOT paying for “pain relief”. My son has had two heart surgeries. He had a spinal for one and an epidural for the other. Neither worked :( He has had failed surgeries and procedures, and believe me, we have to pay for it all. Best of luck with your delivery! Can’t wait to see pics of Max.
Oh man! Poor little guy! Yeah, I totally get that I’m paying for the service. I don’t think we shouldn’t have had to pay for it. It’s just really frustrating to pay a lot of money for something that doesn’t work, which I’m sure you totally get with your little guy! It’s one thing to go through it yourself, but I can’t imagine watching my kids go through pain and failed procedures. You’re a strong mama!
I had an epidural with both my girls. The first one was awesome and worked just like it should. The second time was completely different. The nurse kept saying I wasn’t ready (though I knew I was) and wouldn’t give it to me until the baby had already started coming. My babies are born quickly and she was out before the epidural even kicked in.
The interesting thing about it is that I was terrified to have a baby without the epidural because I am a total wimp when it comes to pain. However, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected and it proved to me that I COULD have a baby without one. Honestly, if I were to do it again, I would probably save the $900 too!
Good luck…so happy for you!!!
Thanks! You are stronger than you know!
First, I love the picture you chose for this post! Ha ha… I had two epidurals and two natural. First epidural was great bc I could still move. Second was awful- I couldn’t feel anything and had the shakes. I felt like the drip was too high, but they wouldn’t turn it down. Plus, we had a little scare with the babe … With both epidurals, I had pain in my spine for awhile as well. I just didn’t like the experiences.
I loved natural. It actually made me feel so empowered like I could do anything. I wanted to experience what our bodies were capable of. I can’t describe it enough. It’s amazing. We as women are so strong. The recovery was so much better also!
You can do it Hannah! I’ve had 4 natural births and once the baby is delivered recovery is so fast. I’m cheering for you..
Had I not been induced and had an epidural I’d still be pregnant with both kids who are 18 and almost 14! But I didn’t get one with my daughter, first child, til I’d been in labor for 42 hrs then went from 3 to complete in 45 mins and she was born 10 mins later even though my contractions had stopped. She weighed 6 lbs 10 oz 1 day before she was due. I waited til 14 hrs into it with my son and he was born 4 1/2 hrs later with 3 pushes. He weighed 8 lbs a week early. In my next life I’m just scheduling c-sections!
you ARE paying for pain relief. your son’s story doesn’t really add anything. the staff and dope add UP to that. if it doesn’t work, shouldn’t charge. bad business, bad practice. and yes, we’re aware that many nurses and physicians are massive junkies who steal dope and replace it with saline, hence many “failed” epidurals.
I had my babies with NOTHING.. With an epidural, you can’t feel your body pushing.
It prolongs the delivery which ,to me, is dangerous…