A mom in California has left people shocked after revealing the size of the medical bill she received following a relatively simple birth.
It's no secret that healthcare in the US is expensive, but every now and again a story like this comes along to remind us of just how astronomical the costs can be - especially if you don't have insurance.
Mom-of-two and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Marina Mogilko took to Instagram to share her experience earlier this year, after she welcomed her second child into the world.
Advert
Having given birth before, Marina was familiar with the process and waited a couple of hours after she went into labor before she actually left to go to the hospital.
Once she arrived, she and her husband learned that she was already well on her way to giving birth so she was taken straight to the delivery room where she had a 'super fast' delivery, giving birth just 20 minutes after she entered the room.
Doctors had to stitch up Marina afterwards, but otherwise, it was a 'smooth' delivery and the family was then moved to a room with a private bathroom, unlimited food, and a bed where Marina's husband could stay for the night.
Advert
With another young child already at home, Marina and her husband decided to leave the hospital the following day, meaning they only spent one night there.
The family then got to enjoy two weeks as a new family of four, before they were hit with the medical bill for their time at the hospital.
Now, news of Marina's private room with unlimited food might lead you to expect a slightly higher bill, but probably not quite as high as the one the mom actually received.
According to her Instagram video, in total the parents were billed $36,455.16 for their one-night stay. To put that in perspective, that's more than a year's salary for a lot of people.
Advert
Thankfully Marina was covered by insurance which paid for the majority of the bill, but she and her husband still had to pay $2,201.29 for giving birth at the hospital.
Viewers have been left horrified by the figure, with one person writing: "That’s actually a disgusting bill. I’m so sorry that you have to put up with that."
Another added: "Theft in broad daylight."
Advert
A number of international readers also expressed their relief that they don't have to worry about such costs thanks to free or cheaper healthcare in their countries, while other people suggested Marina would have been better having 'stayed home and had a home birth'.
Emily Brown