Childbirth and Medical Debt in America

A cross-sectional study examined the association of child birth and medical debt in the United States. The conclusion stated:

Postpartum women experience higher levels of medical debt than other women; poorer women and those with common chronic diseases may have an even higher burden. Policies to expand and improve health coverage for this population are needed to improve maternal health and the welfare of young families.

...childbirth in the USA is associated with medical debt. Our results also suggest that coverage expansion following the Affordable Care Act has been insufficient in relieving the costs of medical care for peripartum women.