Saving money when having a baby

The moment you see those two solid pink lines or the word “pregnant” on a tiny screen, your life changes forever. But the joy and excitement of growing your family are often accompanied by very practical questions as decisions about maternity care begin to form.

One of the biggest questions families have concerns cost.

Prenatal appointments, delivery, postpartum care, and everything in between can add up quickly, but it is possible to approach this season with greater clarity and stewardship, though medical costs only seem to be rising.

With the right preparation and support, families can lower their maternity costs while still prioritizing safe, high-quality care.

What is shareable with Samaritan

Samaritan’s updated Sharing Guidelines for maternity and newborn care are always available online to review.

To start, here are a few things to know about maternity sharing:

• Maternity needs are shared when the doctor’s estimated due date is 300 days or more after the mother’s membership with Samaritan began.
• There is no maternity sharing for one-person memberships except as Special Prayer Needs.
• Shareable needs for maternity care include itemized bills for prenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, miscarriage, and congenital conditions. These include prenatal appointments, lab work, provider-ordered ultrasounds, progesterone or Rhogam if needed, compression socks, chiropractic care (limit of 20 therapy sessions, up through six weeks postpartum, after which a physician questionnaire would be required for approval), birthing classes, anesthesia, birth complications, one post-natal follow-up for mom and one for baby, and circumcision (if performed within 30 days of birth).
• Shareable services include those of doula (up to $500), midwives, doctors, nurse practitioners, and other licensed medical professionals.
• Some charges, such as therapy provided by a non-licensed medical provider, require a prescription or referral from your provider.
• Home births and vaginal birth after cesarean section are not subject to prorating and the initial unshareable amount (IUA) is waived for both.
• Members who successfully use the fair-price reward can also get the IUA waived.
• Early maternity sharing can occur if the member requests an estimate from their provider of a typical birth and submits it to Samaritan.

Special tips for Samaritan members

Members of Samaritan Ministries can save money on their maternity need in several ways. One is to have a home birth or V-BAC if possible. As mentioned in the Guidelines, both options have the IUA waived and members are not affected by future proration with their need.

Members who do not opt for a home birth or V-BAC can still get the IUA waived by earning the fair-price reward. One way to achieve this is to use Valenz Bluebook to shop prices for labor and delivery, ultrasounds, prenatal care, and other procedures.

“They can use that resource to search for different providers and procedures and kind of shop around for what is the fair market price in their area,” Frances Giberson, Samaritan Ministries Needs Advocate, said.

MDSave.com is another online resource that can help members search for fair prices.

A general tip is to look for free or low-cost support services like birthing and prenatal classes and lactation support hotlines or clinics. Some hospitals or community organizations may provide professional services at no cost. Some colleges may have sonography programs looking for pregnant women to volunteer their time for a free ultrasound while students learn.

Samaritan members also have access to the private Samaritan Ministries Community group on Facebook. There they can learn about affordable providers and cost-savings strategies that have worked for other Samaritan families, and potentially even find fellow Samaritan members in their area.

“Members ask other members for tips and share their experiences there,” Frances said.

Families are also encouraged to carefully review all itemized bills they receive and ask for cash discounts, because discounts aren’t always automatically given. Billing errors like duplicate charges or incorrect services are common, so make sure your bill aligns with what actually occurred at appointments and during labor and delivery. If you have any questions about billing practices, it’s a good idea to voice them upfront before you receive bills.

Where the largest savings comes from

Samaritan Ministries is a community that encourages thoughtful provider choice, cost transparency, and stewardship of your health—your baby’s health, too.

Maternity cost savings primarily come from reducing avoidable risks and complications—much like managing your everyday health can help prevent more serious expenses over time. For maternity care in particular, the greatest savings come from minimizing unwarranted interventions and cesarean sections.

“The real cost savings is avoiding the first cesarean section,” said Ryan Lattig, co-founder of Pregnancy by Design. “When we really talk about cost and the data, the lifetime cost is more expensive in cesarean because once you have the first cesarean, it’s like 90% more likely that you’re going to go for a second cesarean, even though the data says you have an 84% chance of having a normal vaginal birth after cesarean.”

By being upfront about your birth plan and discussing it with your provider, you are more likely to avoid unnecessary or default interventions.

Communicate openly with your provider

Open communication with your provider helps you understand what is happening better, what they are asking of you, and why certain things are offered.

“When you have open communication with your provider, you can ask what is necessary and things like, ‘Why are we doing this test?’” Frances said. “We don’t share genetic testing at Samaritan because it’s considered more preventative. It’s not necessarily treating anything.”

Consider the birth setting

The birth setting affects the cost. You’ll need to choose among hospitals, home births, and birth centers. It’s wise to weigh your options and understand the possible risks and benefits with each setting.

“We’ve seen savings with birth centers, and it’s kind of a nice middle ground,” Frances said.

Consider a doula

Doulas are professional birth workers that you can hire to help you during labor and delivery. PregnancyByDesign.com says doulas “help labor progress more comfortably, increase your feelings of safety, and help your partner be more involved. ... They provide physical support, emotional support, and informational support."

Using a doula to support the mother during birth decreases the likelihood of having a C-section, Ryan said.

“Every mom, whether she’s with an OB-GYN, a midwife, or a family physician, should have a doula because that’s going to bring that cesarean number way down,” he said. “I do believe that if you cannot find a midwife, a good birth doula will meet some of those needs to address your safety and care. Their job is focusing on the mother. They are not medical providers, but support persons, but they know more about birth than you could ever imagine.”

Samaritan shares up to $500 for doula fees for the delivery.

Education helps savings

Early education affects decision-making and helps mothers create a birth plan that gives them clarity and confidence as they approach delivery. Educating oneself about nutrition, exercise, and the physiology of birth—and thoughtfully evaluating providers and birth settings—helps mothers make informed decisions for a safe labor and delivery.

Education isn’t only recommended for the mother, either.

“Dad is the ‘defender,’” Ryan said. “He is the voice of a mom in a vulnerable state. When dad has the education on how mom’s body works and what is normal and natural, he can say, ‘Hold on, I don’t think we need that.’”

Ryan’s service, Pregnancy by Design, aims to help moms and dads understand the physiology of childbirth so that they can have an experience they are satisfied with and have a healthy baby to the best of their abilities. The Pregnancy by Design website provides many resources and articles to help educate parents.

“We list on our website all of the reputable sources, all the vetted places where we gather our information,” Ryan said. “We republish it in a way that’s digestible and understandable.”

Where smart planning meets peace of mind

Cost savings and quality care don’t have to be at odds. With the right knowledge and preparation, families can make decisions that protect both their health and their finances. In many cases, choosing the right provider and setting has a greater impact than focusing on smaller, line-item costs.

And the good news is that Samaritan members don’t have to navigate those choices alone—support is always available. Members are encouraged to reach out to the ministry before making major decisions for guidance, reassurance, confidence, and peace of mind.

• To ask about what would be shared, send an email to [email protected].
• To get help with care navigation, contact [email protected].
• Or call (877) 764-2426 and follow the prompts.

This is an exciting time for you and your family, and having the right support can help you focus on what matters most.