A couple are shocked to learn they were charged thousands of dollars for sex after the birth of their daughter.
In a recent TikTok video that has over 6 million views, Jenny Mukendi (@jandjfamily1) reads a detailed list of hospital bills to husband Josh Kimmery from their daughter earlier this month. In total, their bill was just over $28,000 including insurance, Jenny said.
In the video, she listed part of the breakdown: the epidural cost $17,253, the hospital room $3,675.60 and the food $176.70. Jenny also claimed that physical contact was "free" for her and her daughter, but not for her husband, and was charged $4,000.
“How much is a $176 pizza and how much do they charge me to weigh my daughter on her chest? Josh said with a surprised expression in the video.
@jandjfamily1 Paying for learning is what turned it off ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
♬ original sound - J & J Family
In 2016, a story charged a father $39.95 for holding his newborn baby. However, it was revealed that the expense was not only for holding the baby, but for an extra nurse to supervise to ensure the safety of mother and baby after a C-section, according to The New York Times .
Health care costs can vary greatly in the United States depending on whether the baby is delivered vaginally or by cesarean section. According to Forbes , the United States is known as one of the most expensive places to give birth and has a higher infant mortality rate than other developed countries. The Kaiser Family Foundation said a C-section can cost about $26,000 and a vaginal birth about $14,800.
Post commenters Jenny and Josh talked about their experience with high postpartum costs.
"My two children's hospital bills are being collected," said one commenter.
Others expressed their gratitude for not having the experience of giving birth in the United States.
"[I'm so] happy to be in the UK, if they accuse me of being skin to skin with my baby I'll shake everyone's hand," another commenter said.
The Daily Dot reached out to Jenny and Josh via a TikTok comment and an Instagram direct message.
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*First published: November 17, 2022, 10:48 am. CST.
Allison Waller
Allison Waller is a freelance writer for the Daily Dot. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and has written for other publications such as the New York Times and the Miami Herald. Aside from the world of journalism, some of her joys are reading TikTok book recommendations, listening to pop culture podcasts, and playing with her dog Theo.