If you’ve ever experienced childbirth and the amazing feeling of seeing your little one after all the hard work, you’ll know how important it is to hold your newborn immediately after their birth.
Not only is it important in a scientific sense, so that you can bond with your baby, but also from a very emotional one because as you look at your bundle of joy you are overwhelmed with a love like you’ve never known.
But if you’re this mother from the US, being able to share that moment with your baby will cost you. It’ll cost you $39.95 to be precise.
The new mum was shocked to learn that the “skin-to-skin” after her c-section came at a price.
In the US, unlike here in the UK where we are lucky enough to have a free healthcare system, expectant mothers will not be surprised to receive a hospital bill after their stay.
But the father of the child was so bemused to see that his bill included an extra fee to be able to hold their child straight after the birth that he posted a photo of it on Reddit.
“I had to pay $39.95 to hold my baby after he was born,” he captioned the now viral image.
“During the C-section the nurse asked my wife if she would like to do skin-to-skin after the baby was born … which of course anyone would say yes to."
However, the new daddy admitted that he “got a chuckle” out of seeing the extra fee, and the couple have been overwhelmed with other parents responding to the story.
“I still haven’t held my child, because I refuse to pay. She’s 5 now,” said one Reddit user.
Not all responses were cheery though, with one writing: “As a Brit this all seems so unbelievable. Having to go into debt for basic healthcare is a disgrace,”
How would you feel about having to pay for skin-on-skin contact with your newborn? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline)
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