A new study by Forbes Advisor compared all 50 states to uncover the Worst (and Best) States To Have A Baby, and they determined that South Carolina is the 8th worst in the country.
To uncover the worst (and best) states to have a baby, Forbes Advisor compared all 50 states across five key metrics, including infant and maternal mortality rates by state.
The 5 Worst States To Have A Baby:
1. Arkansas
Arkansas’ score: 100 out of 100
- Mothers in Arkansas are more likely to die during childbirth than any other state in the country, making it the worst state to have a baby.
- Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate (43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births).
- The state also has the second highest infant mortality rate (7.88 deaths per 1,000 live births).
- The state is projected to have the fifth lowest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists in 2030 (66.7%).
2. South Dakota
South Dakota’s score: 88.12 out of 100
- Mothers in South Dakota experience some of the highest costs for childbirth, even with health insurance.
- South Dakota has the third highest cost of childbirth with health insurance ($2,577 on average).
- It has the sixth highest infant mortality rate (7.05 deaths per 1,000 live births).
- The state is projected to have the 12th lowest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists in 2030 (78.6%).
3. Alaska
Alaska’s score: 83.42 out of 100
- Alaska is one of the most expensive states for childbirth for uninsured mothers or mothers who are unable to access in-network care.
- Alaska has the fourth highest cost of childbirth without health insurance or through an out-of-network provider ($42,180 median cost).
- It’s also the seventh most expensive state for childbirth with health insurance ($2,473 on average).
- Additionally, Alaska is projected to have the 11th lowest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists in 2030 (76.9%).
4. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s score: 82.64 out of 100
- Oklahoma is among the worst states for access to obstetricians and gynecologists.
- Oklahoma has the second highest cost of childbirth with health insurance ($2,598 on average).
- The state is projected to have the fourth lowest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists in 2030 (66.1%).
- It also ranks 11th highest for its infant mortality rate (6.64 deaths per 1,000 live births).
- Oklahoma has the 11th highest maternal mortality rate (30.3 deaths per 100,000 live births).
5. Tennessee
Tennessee’s score: 80.68 out of 100
- Tennessee is one of the worst states for maternal mortality rates, and has some of the highest costs of childbirth with health insurance.
- Tennessee has the third highest maternal mortality rate (41.7 deaths per 100,000 live births).
- The state also has the fifth highest cost of childbirth with health insurance ($2,507 on average).
The 5 Best States To Have A Baby:
1. Vermont
Vermont’s score: 0 out of 100
With the lowest maternal and infant mortality rates in the nation, Vermont is the best state in the U.S. to have a baby.
- Vermont has the lowest infant mortality rate (3.33 deaths per 1,000 live births).
- The state also has the lowest maternal mortality rate (4.69 deaths per 100,000 live births).
- Vermont is projected to have the second highest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists in 2030 (111.1%).
- It also has the 10th lowest cost of childbirth without health insurance or through an out-of-network provider ($25,819.10 median cost).
2. Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s score: 5.74 out of 100
With the highest number of obstetricians and gynecologists, Rhode Island is among the best states to have a baby.
- Rhode Island is projected to have the highest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists in 2030 (111.8%).
- The state has the sixth lowest infant mortality rate (4.05 deaths per 1,000 live births).
- It also ranks 10th lowest for the cost of childbirth with health insurance ($1,624 on average).
3. Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ score: 15.54 out of 100
Massachusetts has the second lowest infant mortality rate in the country, making it one of the best states to have a baby.
- Massachusetts has the second lowest infant mortality rate (3.5 deaths per 1,000 live births).
- It ranks seventh lowest in the cost of childbirth with health insurance ($1,431 on average).
- The state also has the eighth lowest maternal mortality rate (15.3 deaths per 100,000 live births).
4. New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s score: 17.62 out of 100
New Hampshire has both low infant and maternal mortality rates.
- It ranks fourth lowest for its infant mortality rate (3.95 deaths per 1,000 live births).
- The state also has the sixth lowest maternal mortality rate (14.51 deaths per 100,000 live births).
5. Maryland
Maryland’s score: 23.37 out of 100
Maryland rounds out the top five best states to have a baby due to its low costs for childbirth with health insurance.
- Maryland has the second lowest cost of childbirth with health insurance ($1,151 on average).
- The state has the fourth lowest cost of childbirth without health insurance or through an out-of-network provider ($24,199.24 median cost).
- It is also projected to have the fifth highest percentage of need met for obstetricians and gynecologists in 2030 (110.8%).
Find the full report, including the methodology, here.
