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For quite some time, the decline in birth rates across the United States and other nations has made headlines. There's also been a rise in people openly talking about their decisions to be childfree and abstain from parenthood altogether.

However, despite the falling rates of birth, many people do still decide to have children. While having and raising kids has never been without cost, the cost is progressively rising, especially with inflation staining the economy.

Now, a birth tracker from FAIR Health is shining a light on just how expensive childbirth is becoming.

The rising costs of having children in the United States

In 2022, the average price for a vaginal birth stood at about $13,000, while cesarean sections came out to roughly $15,500.

This year, childbirth expenses are climbing, due to a number of factors. At the top of the list are inflation, a deficit in necessary healthcare staffers, and higher overhead expenses for hospitals.

Many people are feeling the sting of these rising costs. Some are now questioning if having or not having children is the right path for them, notwithstanding whether parenthood is a genuine aspiration of theirs.

Even in cases where parents-to-be have insurance, they're still paying thousands of dollars out of pocket when they bring kids into the world. Likewise, if there are complications with vaginal births or cesarean sections, then the costs of childbirth increase even further.

The high price tag of becoming a parent is enough to put numerous families in debt. During a time when people are struggling to make ends meet each month and make their money go further, a lot of folks don't have thousands of dollars in disposable income just lying around.

A bellwether for the future

Unfortunately, there is no indication that the costs of childbirth will decrease anytime soon. The United States still faces an inflation crisis. Companies and businesses are still slowing down hiring and even laying off some of their workers to cut overhead costs.

Therefore, people who wish to become parents should prepare themselves for the high price tag, along with the strong probability of medical debt.