hobbes79

I think this came out a while back, but a search of the forum didn't immediately reveal anything. Anyone see this movie/documentary??

I saw it at the weekend. Pretty shocking. One element that I found amazing was that one couple was told by the hospital that a birth there was going to cost them in the order of $20,000. So they actually went to Canada to have the baby... only cost them $8000! And that required a C-section!

The number of C-sections was just incredible too. They highlighted one hospital in Miami where 80% of births were C-sections. The World Health Organization says the number should never exceed 15%!

The documentary went on to highlight all the unnecessary tests and procedures women go through in the US, all to basically make sure the doctor doesn't get sued. Despite all these extra procedures, USA is 32nd in the list of lowest infant mortalities. Iceland is the best and the UK is 20th. Incredibly, in 27th position and ahead of the US... is Cuba!

It's all a bit slanted... "America is bad, doctors are evil, etc". Still, worth a look.

Bob

Also a lot of it depends on where abouts you are, places with lower birth rates tend to have higher C-sections because they cost more...

Sally Redux

I'm so glad I gave birth in the UK, one a home birth.

Gingerert

Yes yes yes. All this am I learning.

My sister is due three days before me in the UK, and although we're neck and neck in our development, her pregnancy experience has been really different. I think I've received a phenomenal standard of care so far though. I really respect the doctors and nurses here.

Rete

My daughter is an American and had a home birth in September. Cost to her $1,500. Don't have to be in the UK to have that type of birth.

Jerseygirl

But it wouldn't cost $1,500.

Sally Redux

That is good to know.

MsElui

didnt cost me that much to have my home birth! - and it would have been a LOT more in a hospital!

The Horticulturalist

You all had bargain homebirths!!
I had an independent midwife in London, it cost £2500, up to £3000 now I think. I had a C-Section with my first and simply didn't have the energy to fight with medical staff to get a homebirth second time round so we opted to pay instead, it was worth every penny - and was much more painful than a C-section

anabella

I wonder how that works with immigration? If you give birth in Canada do you get a Canadian passport for the baby to get back in the US then apply for a US one?

clarissageo

Despite all the beautiful babies that have been posted over the last few weeks, that information has cured my broodiness and reminded me to keep my legs firmly shut!

Janek66

Not all states 'allow' home birth, some states don't allow birth by midwife either, nor do some insurance plans cover it.

nethead

Is that a different film from 'The Business of being Born' the Ricki Lake documentary?

But women still have homebirths in those States with or without midwives. I had a lay midwife when I had my homebirth but she was 'assisted' by a CNM, because I had twins and it is illegal for CNMs to attend twin homebirths in PA. It's a veritable minefield of what's legal and what's not in different States, some States are much more progressive, I think the most midwife friendly states are Oregon, and Texas.

anotherlimey

Oh ****...

I've been told I have to pay the $500 deductible upfront or my wife won't get admitted.

cindyabs

It's a no win situation-my son and DIL had to pay $250.00 to hold a spot for infant daycare. This when she was like 2 months pregnant.

At least these things are tax deductable.