When it comes to having a baby, there is good news and bad news if you are planning to deliver and raise a baby in New Jersey, according to a new survey by WalletHub.com.

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The survey looked at a number of factors including delivery costs, access to pediatric services and the number of child care centers per capita. New Jersey ranked 32nd overall among the 50 states and Washington D.C.

While the Garden State ranked 13th for its health care conditions and baby-friendly environment, it came in dead last for cost, as it is the most expensive state in which to deliver a baby.

"New Jersey topped $31,000 dollars for hospital C-section delivery charges and $25,000 for conventional deliveries on average," said Jill Gonzalez, spokesperson for WalletHub.com. "It also came in 46th for cost of living and 42nd for infant care, where average annual child care costs are above $8,000."

Nationally, the average cost of a C-section delivery is $15,041, while conventional deliveries cost an average of $9,775.

According to the survey, New Jersey did very well for health care conditions, ranking among the top 10 states for the least number of infant deaths, access to pediatric services, the number of fertility clinics available and parental leave.

Other key findings include:

  • The average annual infant care costs in the District of Columbia are four times higher than in Mississippi.
  • The infant death rate in Mississippi is three times higher than in Alaska.
  • The number of child centers per capita in Vermont is nine times higher than in Utah.
  • The rate of low birth weight in Mississippi is two times higher than in Alaska.
  • The number of OBGYNs per capita in District of Columbia is nine times higher than in West Virginia.
  • California has the best parental leave policies, whereas 17 states tied for the worst.
  • The number of pediatricians per capita in the District of Columbia is 92 times higher than in Pennsylvania.

The top five best states to have a baby according to the survey were Vermont, Maine, Oregon, Connecticut and New Hampshire. The bottom five were Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

To see the report in its entirety, click here.

 

 

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