KEY TAKEAWAYS: Louisiana ranks as the second cheapest state for childbirth in 2026, according to World Population Review. An in-network vaginal delivery in Louisiana costs an average of $7,981, compared with $18,611 out of network. An in-network C-section averages $8,996, while an out-of-netwo rk procedure costs $22,089. Actual out-of-pocket costs vary based on insurance coverage, network status, type of delivery and potential complications.   The total cost associated with pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum care is an average of $20,416 in the U.S., according to Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. The price can vary state to state, however. On average, patients who give birth pay $2,743 out-of-pocket after insurance, says Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. However, you could pay more if you have a C section or have complications during labor. Patients could also pay more or less depending on where they give birth. Why Louisiana is the second cheapest state to give birth in for 2026 Louisiana ranked second cheapest for costs to give birth, according to study by World Population Review. In Louisiana, it costs $7,981 to have a vaginal delivery in network and $18,611 for a normal delivery out of network. As for C sections, it costs $8,996 in network and $22,089 out of network. These prices are before potential insurance coverage, reflecting what a self-paying patient would be charged. How much patients pay out of pocket will depend on their insurance plan. Typical health insurance will cover most of the cost, around 85%, while patients pay the rest out of pocket, which would be 15% of the total cost, according to UW Health. Here’s what patients would pay to give birth in Louisiana if they pay 15% of the total cost out of pocket: Vaginal delivery in network: $1,197 Out of network: $2,791 C section in network: $1,349 Out of network: $3,313 What’s on a medical bill after birth? The cost of giving birth is high because expenses cover two people, both the mother and newborn. Parents can expect a bill with charges for delivery, hospital stay, newborn care, epidural, lab tests, equipment for newborns and mothers, as well as charges for delivery room items. These equipment charges are typically for the monitoring of babies’ hearts during the labor process, as well as the equipment used to monitor mothers’ vitals, according to UnityPoint Health. Some delivery room items are covered by insurance, like diapers, wipes, nose bulb, petroleum jelly, extra breast pumping supplies and formula. Other items, like sanitary pads and disposable underwear, may not be covered by insurance, says UnityPoint Health. Cost of having a baby in each state for 2026 Here’s how much it costs to have a vaginal delivery in-network and out-of-network in each state, according to World Population Review Alaska: $21,526 in-network and $36,477 out-of-network New York: $19,990 and $37,935 New Jersey: $18,688 and $37,465 Connecticut: $17,387 and $30,317 Massachusetts: $16,732 and $28,223 California: $16,577 and $35,710 New Hampshire: $14,454 and $26,615 Nevada: $14,168 and $29,880 Colorado: $14,084 and $30,156 Washington: $14,025 and $28,762 Maine: $13,925 and $24,772 Wisconsin: $13,918 and $29,295 Pennsylvania: $13,542 and $25,988 Oregon: $13,501 and $26,680 Vermont: $13,325 and $23,251 Nebraska: $13,279 and $26,058 Wyoming: $13,048 and $24,319 South Dakota: $13,010 and $24,927 Utah: $12,795 and $25,784 Kansas: $12,626 and $26,794 Rhode Island: $12,604 and $23,969 Florida: $12,604 and $31,984 Minnesota: $12,461 and $24,730 Arkansas: $12,295 and $27,532 Idaho: $12,294 and $24,518 Illinois: $11,805 and $26,150 Arizona: $11,739 and $29,035 North Dakota: $11,722 and $20,828 Hawaii: $11,413 and $24,594 Mississippi: $11,358 and $25,135 Indiana: $11,349 and $24,546 Texas: $11,318 and $27,516 Ohio: $11,149 and $22,786 New Mexico: $10,848 and $25,362 Montana: $10,828 and $20,983 South Carolina: $10,795 and $24,136 Michigan: $10,778 and $23,614 Delaware: $10,755 and $23,400 Iowa: $10,630 and $21,008 Georgia: $10,590 and $22,539 North Carolina: $10,102 and $22,088 Missouri: $9,842 and $21,395 Tennessee: $9,637 and $22,573 Oklahoma: $9,614 and $21,685 Kentucky: $9,550 and $21,215 West Virginia: $9,460 and $20,776 Virginia: $9,233 and $27,527 Maryland: $9,183 and $21,487 Louisiana: $7,981 and $18,611 Alabama: $17,929 and $17,929   Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at [email protected] This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: The cost to give birth in Louisiana. See average price to have baby Reporting by Presley Bo Tyler, Shreveport Times / Shreveport Times USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect ...read more read less