Could tough economic times lead some mid-Michigan couples to delay pregnancy?
The cost of the gift of life in this slumping economy may force tough decisions among couples who want to have babies. “Births are sporadic and ebb and flow during a year,” said Tom Byrne, practice manager of Valley OB-GYN, 926 N. Michigan in Saginaw. “We are seeing more ebb now, since things turned in September, but I don’t know if it’s just the time of year or the economy.” With our state’s economic struggles — and hearing that some patients are talking to their doctors about them — Byrne believes births will drift downward. “I’ve heard anecdotes about patients who aren’t sure their husband will have a job or have lost jobs. Some are pregnant, and some are making decisions about birth control,” he said. “They are talking about finances more than in the past.” The cost to raise a child to age 18 averages $204,060 for a family with a pre-tax income of $61,000 a year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. The cost is $148,320 for a family earning $28,600 before taxes. The nati
