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Travel Insurance for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a wonderful time, and more and more women find it also the perfect time to take a relaxing holiday before the big day. Many choose to take so-called “babymoons” before giving birth. Expectant women realize that once the baby is born, they will devote all their time to taking care of their baby and all travel plans are most likely to be postponed. It means that they need to have a much-needed break before all the sleepless nights. Also, a babymoon can be regarded as the last vacation as a couple, before the new status of parents changes your life priorities forever. Sometimes, for pregnant women travel may be a business necessity too.

While pregnancy can pose some risks to expectant women, it does not mean that they cannot enjoy traveling as much as everyone else. Much depends on how far along a woman is in her pregnancy and whether she has any problems which may require special care. If your doctor says traveling is quite safe for you, and you understand the importance of following certain guidelines and extra precautions, in most cases you won’t have serious problems traveling while pregnant.

Travel Insurance is an important part of any holiday, regardless of whether or not you are expecting a baby. However, it shouldn’t be neglected that travel during pregnancy involves much more risk if compared to ordinary travel. Standard travel policies may exclude pregnancy as a medical condition from their cover. For these cases, there is a special Travel Insurance for Pregnant Women, which is designed to fill the gap and cover the risks associated with travel for pregnant women.

Travel Insurance for Pregnant Women includes health insurance coverage that is designed to protect them when they are on a trip. Some of such Travel Insurance policies also have “medical evacuation” provisions. It means that should a problem arise, a pregnant woman will be taken to the nearest facility which can offer the type of care specified by the particular Travel Insurance plan.

The term of pregnancy is the major factor influencing the willingness of insurance companies to offer coverage to pregnant women. The earliest stages of pregnancy allow for obtaining the most comprehensive and the least costly Travel Insurance plan. Most insurance companies will offer insurance cover until the 28th week of pregnancy. In medical terms, the second trimester is considered the safest time to travel, as the risk of complications is lower in comparison with the first or third trimester. Pregnant women are typically most comfortable traveling during mid-pregnancy.

The possibility of complications increases in later stages of pregnancy. After the 30th week the possibility of pre-term birth-related complications increases considerably. Therefore, many insurance companies refuse to cover women beyond the 28th week. It is important to plan your holiday dates beforehand, as typically, to be covered you should return home from the insured trip at least 8 weeks before the due date. Therefore, work out how far your pregnancy will have progressed by your return date so that the flight and Travel Insurance won’t be a problem.

If a woman has already completed eight months of pregnancy, Travel Insurance providers are unlikely to offer her any coverage. If you need Travel Insurance beyond the 28th week, you will have to look for extended cover that will be tailored specifically to meet your needs. Any extensions will come along with a higher premium. Check the small print carefully to make sure you will be covered.

Generally, pregnant women are recommended to avoid foreign travel in the latter half of the third trimester. This is the time when you are you unlikely to be covered by your Travel Insurance. Also, consider the fact that the standards of medical care available in other countries may not be quite suitable for your needs.

Check with the airline if they will accept to carry you. Many airlines will carry pregnant women up to 28th week of pregnancy. For multiple pregnancies and later pregnancies, air companies usually require a doctor’s certificate, i.e. a letter from your doctor confirming that you are fit to travel on board a plane. Check with your carrier what rules concerning pregnant travelers they have. Mind that in case you have experienced problems with your pregnancy, or earlier instances of premature birth, the general rules might not apply to you. In case the woman has had a history of a problematic conception, pregnancy or delivery, she is likely to be refused Travel Insurance coverage. It makes sense to check with the specific airline rules and guidelines before approaching Travel Insurance providers directly.

Mind that many insurance companies won’t provide cover if the conception was not natural and was made with the help of medical assistance (IVF, fertility drugs). Find out if the Travel Insurance provides cover for your new born baby, in case it happens so that you deliver abroad. Typically, Travel Insurance policies won’t cover full-term birth.

When purchasing Travel Insurance, it is important to be honest and open about your health and medical problems. Be ready to answer multiple questions about the prognosis of your pregnancy, medical treatment you received, procedures, tests, conditions etc. The aim of these questions is to determine the risks a pregnant woman presents for a Travel Insurance provider, whether there is a possibility of complications which may require medical treatment, repatriation or cancellation of the holiday.

The premiums for Travel Insurance for Pregnant Women will be higher: even if there are no severe complications, a simple check-up, few days in hospital or any other medical services can result in large medical bills in other countries.

For pregnant women who are traveling it is crucial to be sure that should the emergency arise, they will receive proper medical care. Besides obtaining the right type of Travel Insurance for Pregnant Women, you should also take into consideration recommendations for pregnant women who are planning on traveling. The following tips will help prevent unwanted health risks and make your trip hassle free:

Listen to your body’s signals and follow them as it is the best guide to your safety. Whether you travel by bus, train plane or ship, stretch your legs and back from time to time, walk around every hour, drink plenty of water and keep to a healthy diet, including plenty of fiber. Rest often and try to get enough sleep.

Before you travel, have your first parental check-up. Ask your doctor or midwife for travelling advice and recommendations on which holiday destinations you should and should not choose. Your doctor may provide you with a letter of good health which verifies your medical state and enables you to fly.

Keep your Travel Insurance documents, medical records and an emergency contact number on you at all times.

Keep your travel plans flexible. Purchase Travel Insurance to cover tickets or deposits which cannot be refunded should you stay home.

Be careful when choosing means of transport. For example, if you have never been on board a ship before, pregnancy is not the best time to start. Make sure there is a doctor or a nurse on board. Then, once you have made a decision about the transportation, it is important to arrange everything as comfortable as possible. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Choose the most convenient seat for you, for example, if it is a plane, then an aisle seat, near the front.

Be very careful with medication on the road, for example, sickness pills or sleeping pills. Don’t take any medicine which is not prescribed for you.

Travel Insurance does not only give you the necessary financial backup, but also provides you with financial protection against cancellation, repatriation and loss of luggage, documents or cash. Prior to buying any policy, make sure that you are aware of all the terms and conditions, as well as exclusions related to the level of coverage you have chosen. Traveling during pregnancy has both benefits and disadvantages, and each case is individual. Travel Insurance for Pregnant Women is there to protect expectant mothers if they decide in favor of traveling.