I know it's probably the last thing you want to think about, but Behatz is right. You should start determining your birth plans just so you're nice and prepared for the little one's arrival. Now I don't want to sound like a negative Nancy, but a hospital birth runs around $10,000 if you're uninsured. If you are insured you may get a majority of it paid, however it certainly isn't easy. Really the only reason women need to have a hospital birth is because
a.)they have a high risk pregnancy
b.)they would like a Cesarean section
I have a bit of a bias against hospital births because to me it just symbolizes how men have interfered in a female practice. Medicine is a big business, and at the beginning of the 19th century it started to become common practice for women to see a surgeon because
men had the new technology and "know how". A few centuries later women feel like their only option is going to a hospital, having an epidural, and for 30% of women, ending up with a C-section.
Here is some good information about natural childbirth and
here is a good article about all the different options (hospital or otherwise).
Give it a look see. I'm not expecting you to make up your mind or anything but it is good to at least know your options.
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