We used a birthing center, twice. In conjunction with medical insurance from a large local employer, the births and associated pre/post-natal visits each cost u

We used a birthing center, twice. In conjunction with medical insurance from a large local employer, the births and associated pre/post-natal visits each cost us $500 out-of-pocket roughly a decade ago. The insurer, not surprisingly, was happy to have us pursue that route. Hence including pre/post-natal care in the bundle. Now, the birthing center screened for low-risk mothers and we were indeed lucky. Still, a considerable fraction of the population should be able to to access, at low cost, "technology" that we have exercised as a species since time immemorial.