There are so many things to consider when having a baby, although where that child is going to be born isn't usually one of them.

However, it turns out that the whole childbirth experience varies greatly from state to state in America.

Recently, Birth Injury Lawyers Group analyzed data from all 50 states, ranking them based on key metrics related to the cost and health aspects of childbirth.

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After reviewing the numbers, South Dakota and Iowa are among the top places in the country for having a baby.

The Mount Rushmore State is third overall thanks to a low infant death rate (6.07 per 1,000 births) and a maternal mortality rate of 28.5 per 100,000 live births. The annual cost of childcare in South Dakota is $6,677 per child, and the percentage of preterm births is 10.53%.

South Dakota also has the highest fertility rate in the U.S. (69.8 per 1,000 births) and the third lowest annual cost of child care ($6,677 per child).

The Hawkeye State is one spot behind at number four overall with scores that indicate a high quality of healthcare and relatively affordable childcare costs in the state.

Iowa has a low infant death rate (3.99 per 1,000 births) and a maternal mortality rate of 20.2 per 100,000 live births. The annual cost of childcare per child is $9,322, and the percentage of preterm births is 10.03%.

BEST STATES TO HAVE A BABY IN 2024

  1. North Dakota
  2. Utah
  3. South Dakota
  4. Iowa
  5. Idaho
  6. Kansas
  7. Wyoming
  8. Delaware
  9. Missouri
  10. New Hampshire

Minnesota ranked 20th best on the list.

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WORST STATES TO HAVE A BABY IN 2024

  1. Mississippi
  2. South Carolina
  3. Tennessee
  4. West Virginia
  5. Alabama
  6. Arkansas
  7. Louisiana
  8. North Carolina
  9. Georgia
  10. Massachusetts
Best States to Have a Baby
Birth Injury Lawyers Group
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KEEP READING: Here are the most popular baby names in every state

Using March 2019 data from the Social Security Administration, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular names in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., according to their 2018 SSA rankings. The top five boy names and top five girl names are listed for each state, as well as the number of babies born in 2018 with that name. Historically common names like Michael only made the top five in three states, while the less common name Harper ranks in the top five for 22 states.

Curious what names are trending in your home state? Keep reading to see if your name made the top five -- or to find inspiration for naming your baby.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: Unique baby names from the year you were born

Stacker highlighted one of the least-used baby names from each year between 1950 and 2022, using data from the Social Security Administration.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: Baby names that are illegal around the world

Stacker scoured hundreds of baby name databases and news releases to curate a list of baby names that are illegal somewhere in the world, along with explanations for why they’re banned.

Gallery Credit: Annalise Mantz

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