Why people shouldn't freak out about having to pay to hold their child after birth

Doctors, nurses, support staff—they don’t work for free, and there is no reason they should. Health-care facilities require things such as electricity and maintenance. All of this money must come from somewhere.

Grant’s post prompted much applause among labor and delivery nurses and doulas, many of whom found her post validating. “I’m a highly-educated professional with fifteen years of experience. Nursing is a profession, not a volunteer gig,” wrote one in response. However, it fell flat among those who believe they get their medical treatment for free.

“The whole idea of thinking about how much anything costs during a life changing medical procedure (or any medical procedure) is just insane to most people outside of the U.S.,” wrote one Swedish mother.