South Carolina is one of the worst states in the country to have a baby, according to a new ranking by WalletHub.The state's overall score ranks it 41 out of 50 states.To determine each ranking, the website compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across three key dimensions: delivery budget, health care and "baby-friendliness."When it came to the cost of delivering a baby and the annual cost of infant care, South Carolina received an admirable ranking of 23rd in the nation.But the state ranked 43rd when infant mortality rates and low birth weights were considered.WalletHub ranked South Carolina 47th in the nation when it comes to the number of day care centers and the state's parental leave policies.Despite the low rankings, Dr. Amy Crockett, of Greenville Health System, said the state has come a long way."Our infant mortality rate is a historic low for the last two years in South Carolina. Our rates of teenage pregnancy are coming down and they're also at historic lows," Crockett said.Crockett is the clinical lead for the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative, a group dedicated to healthier births.Crockett said WalletHub's latest findings are proof that the initiative is starting to pay off."Looking at some of our neighboring states that have similar geographic and population challenges, like Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, to see that we're ranked above them, I think we're making progress and will hopefully have healthier moms and babies," Crockett said.North Carolina received an overall ranking of 42nd and Georgia ranked 47th, placing it among the worst states to have a baby.

South Carolina is one of the worst states in the country to have a baby, according to a new ranking by WalletHub.

The state's overall score ranks it 41 out of 50 states.


To determine each ranking, the website compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across three key dimensions: delivery budget, health care and "baby-friendliness."

When it came to the cost of delivering a baby and the annual cost of infant care, South Carolina received an admirable ranking of 23rd in the nation.

But the state ranked 43rd when infant mortality rates and low birth weights were considered.

WalletHub ranked South Carolina 47th in the nation when it comes to the number of day care centers and the state's parental leave policies.

Despite the low rankings, Dr. Amy Crockett, of Greenville Health System, said the state has come a long way.

"Our infant mortality rate is a historic low for the last two years in South Carolina. Our rates of teenage pregnancy are coming down and they're also at historic lows," Crockett said.

Crockett is the clinical lead for the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative, a group dedicated to healthier births.

Crockett said WalletHub's latest findings are proof that the initiative is starting to pay off.

"Looking at some of our neighboring states that have similar geographic and population challenges, like Georgia, Florida and North Carolina, to see that we're ranked above them, I think we're making progress and will hopefully have healthier moms and babies," Crockett said.

North Carolina received an overall ranking of 42nd and Georgia ranked 47th, placing it among the worst states to have a baby.