Because You Asked: The Cost of Having A Baby in Brazil

Let me preface this post (which has been requested over and over again by MANY readers) by saying that these are prices for private healthcare in the Zona Sul of Rio. In other words, yes there are other options available, not all doctors are this expensive nor are all hospitals. However, this is the information that I have on what it cost for the particular birth experience I had in Rio. The Canadoca was delivered at Perinatal in Laranjeiras by an English speaking well renown OB/GYN who practices in Gavea. These prices are from a friend who had her baby in the past year, so should be still current.

Two night's stay at Perinatal:                        BR$4,302*
OB/GYN Birth fees:                                      BR$8,000
Support staff (anaesthesiologist + 4 others)  BR$7,500
                                                                 BR $19,802  

Pre-pregnancy costs:

9 OB/GYN Appointments (BR$340 x 9)   BR$3,060
Ultrasounds (R$180 x 7)                       BR$1,260
Bloodwork (Can depend but approx)      BR$3,000
                                                         BR $7,320

For the birth experience I outlined for you in many posts, you are looking at BR$27,122 or US$16,400.

*In our case, insurance took care of this part on the spot, and so we did not have to personally pay for it.

 

Comments

[mallory elise]

insurance only covers the hospital stay? not the pregnancy? what do you have, unimed?

[brandy]

in case anyone is interested... I used a midwife here in Rio. She was wonderful and speaks fluent English. She specialises in home birth, but she came with us to the hospital (as i did not want a home birth)
Her name is Heloisa Lessa and her number is 88632815 or 22322445.

[Kathy]

I am also an expat who gave birth in Brazil last year. I paid the same fees as DRL but my local insurance also covered the ultrasounds, blood work and approximately 30% of my OB/GYN fees. It was a great experience, though as he is my first I have nothing to compare it to. I am curious how much having a baby in the states compares.

[Rachel]

I have Bradesco and they covered everything. Well, I paid for the anesthesiologist and they paid me back. Bradesco is via work only but you can find plenty of great health insurance companies but it is expensive.

[Giovanni]

It's still crazy for me, being a European living in Brazil (Rio), and seeing these prices. A pregnancy in Belgium would cost you somewhere around 250$ as all the rest is paid back by the government. We don't need expensive medical insurances, nor pay for schools, hardly have to pay for university,... Brazil is a nice country to live without children, but I would never raise them over here.

I have the Bradesco insurance in Brazil to, damn expensive but covers most of it.

[Agarwood Tea Leaves]

Agarwood tea is rich in flavonoids which helps your body eliminate fat.