[vidarh]

Yikes. I'm in the UK, and while we had everything covered on the NHS in the end, we inquired about the costs of an elective/scheduled C-section (which the NHS does not offer - you do get a C-section if it is medically recommended, but not if you want it just for the "convenience"), and a C-section carried out privately by one of the top surgeons in the country at one of the top hospitals would have come out well under half the number your quoted for the US.

[dtparr]

For reference, my first-born was a non-elective C-section in the US and my total cost for the stay, including the OB performing the procedure and 2 nights in the maternity ward was also under half the number quoted. Admittedly, I can't recall if that was the negotiated rate from the insurer, or the amount actually billed, but I don't remember them being wildly different.