New mom furious after her husband refuses to halve $8,000 hospital bill because she got an epidural during childbirth and that’s a ‘luxury’
- The couple was left with an $8,000 hospital birth
- Her husband refused to go half way because she got an epidural
A new mom was furious after her husband, who she had been married to for seven years, refused to pay half of the hospital bills for their baby’s birth.
The father, Carl*, said he wouldn’t pay any of the $8,000 bill because Rachel* “jacked it up” by getting an epidural and other “extras.”
The 32-year-old mother says she is considering “ending her marriage” because of the backlash – which hundreds agree she should.
Rachel said the couple lived in a “newborn bubble of bliss” until the hospital bill came and interrupted it.
She explained that she and Carl both work and have always “split everything 50/50,” so she didn’t expect his reaction.
A new mom was furious after her husband of seven years refused to pay half of their baby’s hospital bills (stock image)
“During my pregnancy, I planned to go for an unmedicated natural birth with as little intervention as possible,” she explained.
However, after 24 hours of labour, she “succumbed” and received the epidural, something Carl encouraged at the time.
When the bill arrived, Carl hit the roof and demanded Rachel pay for it with her personal savings, as he shouldn’t be expected to pay for her “extra requests.”
“You’re the one who couldn’t last another few hours and rack up the bill with all your meds and an extra night,” he said.
The “luxuries” included in the bill included an epidural, lactation consultant, the nursery, extra overnight accommodation, postpartum supplies, hospital nutrition, and blood tests.
Carl said he wouldn’t pay any of the $8,000 bill because Rachel “raised up the bill” by getting an epidural and other “extras” (stock image)
Rachel “flipped” at him, but he refused to budge, calling her a “princess” for demanding so many “extra add-ons” at the hospital.
Rachel relented and paid the bill, but says she now feels “disrespected” and didn’t expect this treatment so soon after her 36-hour labor and the birth of their child.
“This is by far the biggest problem so far in our 14 year relationship and I’m so not sure where to go next,” she said.
She can’t decide if she “has a right” to feel the way she feels, or if the hormones are affecting her emotions.
Hundreds of people told her she did nothing wrong and said that Carl owes her “much more” than $8,000.
Several people pointed out that Rachel will suffer a loss of income for the foreseeable future due to maternity leave, and that she’s only been carrying Carl’s child for the past nine months, something he has to pay for if he wants to be “right.”
“Even on minimum wage, 24 hours a day, 40 weeks… he’s looking at just under $50,000, $25,000 if they split it. $4,000 would have been a bargain!’ said a woman.
“I would be totally fed up with my husband pulling this crap. His child too, his expense too,” said another.
Holy sh*t. Throw the whole man out,’ advised another.
* Names have been changed