I've been keeping pretty busy lately, sorting through all my dad's belongings since he passed away about a month ago. Although it hasn't been a fun process, I've come across a few treasures like old pictures, letters, or something else from his past that has helped lift my spirits.
Yesterday, I found this gem. It's a hospital bill from when my grandmother gave birth to my dad on Christmas Eve, 1950. Check it out--click on it to enlarge it.
The grand total is a whopping $86.33! I used the consumer price index calculator to figure out how much that would be worth today, and it's about $755.00. That's still not bad considering my hospital bill for giving birth to my daughter in 2005 was over five grand.
I know Grandma didn't have the all the "luxuries" and technologies we have today in many hospital wards. But really, how different is giving birth to a baby in 2008 versus 1950?
7 comments:
so cool! I love that you have that document! I found yr awesome blog through some gals at Bridgeworldwide! this looks great- can't wait to read more!
My gosh, how funny is that!? If only the other child-related expenses were as cheap nowadays too!
That is so cool you found that, Cara.
I also found it interesting that your gma stayed for FIVE days for a measly 85 (?? now I can't remember) dollars. Compared to now, where they kick you out after barely two.
LOL! And your grandmother got to spend 5 luxurious days in the hospital...what do we get, like 5 HOURS after birth?
That actually made me feel a little ill, seeing that. My hospital bill was closer to $8000. If I had a kid in 1950 that would cost about the same as my co-payment today.
I especially loved the "necklace" for a whopping $1.50. I assume that was splurging for a luxury item?
I know, it makes you wish for simpler times!
My aunt thinks the necklace was a BABY beaded necklace she bought. It must have been a splurge considering it cost the same as 1 day of "nursery care and baby board."
Something else my husband pointed out was the zip/postal codes were only 2 numbers back then.
This hospital receipt illustrates how different childbirth is in America today as compared to 1950. Five days?!? What a luxury.
I'm reading an interesting book called Pushed by Jennifer Block. It is a look at the history of childbirth that compares today's American birth experience with the birth experience in other times and cultures. It is very eye-opening.
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