Had our first baby 18 months ago. While we weren't charged for skin-on-skin contact, we were charged when the nurse offered to take the baby to the nursey so that mom could rest and recuperate for a few hours.

I can't remember how much it was, but I do remember being upset at the cost...

Also, in terms of out of pocket expenses, I think it really depends on your insurance, hospital, and even the state you live in (here in the U.S.).

I just had my first and the total came out to about $430,000 I think. Mom stayed for 4 days and the baby was in the NICU for a week mostly for observation but also had some extensive testing and a few rounds of antibiotics done preemptively. Out of pocket it cost me next to nothing since my deductible had already been met, but that’s what my insurance actually shelled out.

In the end, mother and child were both healthy, so it was mostly done out of an abundance of caution since the mother delivered with a fever. I’m sure if I had no coverage I’d be able to negotiate that down but I’m also sure I’d be broke from it. After all is said and done though, there weren’t any bizarre line items like skin to skin.

Private Healthcare doesn't mean it has to be as bad as the stories portray it as being in the US, true or not. South African example: Pregnancy and birth including c-section were essentially "free" for us under our paid private Healthcare. Also included hands-on nurses and assistance for 2-4 days while the mother was resting in hospital.

Forgot to mention, the c-section had an anaesthetician and gynocoligst in the operating room.

Cost my friends who didn't have personal health insurance $5 because they paid for parking. Live in Canada though, $2k seems insane with all the other expenses of a new baby and starting a family.

My kid was born in early 2020, I paid even less and also wasn't charged for holding her. Not sure why you're being downvoted for providing actual facts.

I cant imagine having to pay that much. Wow.