oldie but goodie.. only SLIGHTLY off-topic and self-indulgent. ;)

>>24884 Awww! He has his dads hair ;D

first pic! I want a banana!

I came into the world for 50 bucks which included circumcision. My last child was born at home in '78 (midwife) for $300. Things do change, don't they?
>>24878 Good one!

It does take years of training to get a cat to scan.

I find it hard to grasp how hospitals can be so expensive in the US. Even though the NHS gets a lot of flak it's actually a fantastic service. I would hate to have an American style system here.

>>24872 Costs from hospitals.

I understand that our medical professionals have an important job to do and that there are costs associated with saving a life, treating an injury, delivering a baby, but how does that add up to $30,000?

When I visited the hospital with a serious injury in 2005, the bill totaled $13,718 - and that was just to be in the hospital for 2 days and receive IV's and catscans. Random doctors would come in and check on me and they each sent me a bill later!!

The total cost was over $15,000 when all was said and done. I could have had a baby with Kate for that price!!

>>24869 are those figures for home born or hospital born kiddos?

"[In the United States} the average total price charged for pregnancy and newborn care is about $30,000 for a vaginal delivery and $50,000 for a C-section, with commercial insurers paying out an average of $18,329 and $27,866."

It is being reported the cost of delivering the Royal Babe has totaled $15,000.

"The $15,000 figure comes from estimates of how much one would have to pay to deliver in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, where the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to a son on Monday. This is expensive for the United Kingdom, but, here in the United States, it would actually be a pretty great deal!"

"North" is a very popular name for a boy right now ;)

Ha! fat change. British 'press' is the worst kind.

Does the little toddler have a name yet? If not any bet on what it might be??

I'm pleased for Kate and Will, but I do wish the media would give it a rest now :/

Congratulations Vis! I didn't even know you were with child.