Travel insurance and pregnancy

Traveling abroad while pregnant can be a wonderful experience, but your safety and comfort are no doubt on your mind. Whether traveling for work, for pleasure or for a babymoon, it’s important to have the right travel insurance coverage to keep you and your baby protected while you’re overseas. Here's everything you need to know about travel insurance and pregnancy:

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

Generally speaking, traveling when pregnant is quite safe, especially when you’re in your second trimester. If you’re between 14 and 27 weeks, enjoy asking for extra legroom or pillows or other perks, as you will likely get preferred treatment without other elevated risk factors.

Your travel insurance – or even general insurance plan – will cover your pregnancy should you need to use healthcare services while away. Most standard travel insurance policies will only cover unexpected pregnancy-related complications but not routine care or planned deliveries, especially if you’re not in the country where you reside and have taken out a policy. Unexpected complications could include pre-eclampsia, bleeding, or miscarriage and the subsequent medical treatment, as well as unexpected early labor and/or delivery.

So, what’s not covered?

Routine prenatal care, like check-ups or scans, are never covered, as well as a planned delivery abroad. Your healthcare provider may also advise against traveling, especially if you are pregnant beyond a certain gestational limit (often 26–32 weeks)

Are there risks to traveling while pregnant? Can I travel when pregnant?

Of course! Like any health-related issue and like any travel, certain risks can be associated with boarding a plane and traveling abroad. There are many factors to consider, depending on your destination, how far along you are, and your general health overall. Here are a few to consider when planning a trip:

• Medical Risks and pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure, bleeding or miscarriage (especially in the early stages of pregnancy) and pre-term labor.
• Developing Deep Vein Thrombosis on long transit periods, especially airplanes, is more common when pregnant due to hormonal changes. Be sure to drink lots of fluids, move when you can and consider compression socks on flights.
• Limited Access to Quality Care in remote or developing areas, and potential evacuations could be complicated and costly.
• Exposure to infectious diseases that can be fatal or cause birth defects. Remember the Zika virus scare in the mid-2010s? That’s still around, as is malaria and toxoplasmosis. Make pregnancy-specific risks part of your research, too.
  
  

And don’t forget the other elements that can make your travel dream an actual nightmare – motion sickness, lugging around suitcases, changes in diet and sleep, swelling and discomfort, and the like.

Should I travel with a high-risk pregnancy?

High risk pregnancy is a catch-all term for pregnancies that need additional monitoring. If you have a history of pre-term labor, have placenta previa or pre-eclampsia or another pregnancy complication, or you’ve had miscarriage(s), you’re likely high-risk.

Remember that not all travel insurance policies will cover certain types of pregnancies, including traveling after a certain post of gestation, if you’re carrying multiples or if you are considered high-risk. Save the travel points for another time if you need to.

What should I look for in travel insurance and pregnancy policy options?

• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation (especially if you're in a remote area)
• 24/7 medical assistance hotline
• Potential medical partnerships within the network at your destination (or that can at least provide you with some help)
• Repatriation to your home country if needed
  
  

When taking out insurance specially for travel while pregnant, disclose both your pregnancy and your gestational week and due date. You may have to provide a “fit to fly” letter or similar before the policy can be enacted.

Remember that every policy is different. Most insurers set limits based on how many weeks pregnant you are; standard policies may cover you up to 26 weeks so long as there are no complications or a high-risk pregnancy, though other policies may provide coverage up to 36 weeks for a higher premium.

What happens if I have an emergency while traveling?

Seek help right away if you begin to feel bad or have symptoms synonymous with labor. Symptoms of a serious complication could be bleeding, severe abdominal pain or extreme motion sickness. Get to the nearest hospital or care center and have your medical records ready. Before you travel, remember to check coverages and potential repatriation.

Does Caser provide travel insurance for pregnant women?

Yes! Choosing Caser Expat Insurance for your pregnancy is an absolutely fantastic idea. You’ll receive personalized care, from scans to jabs to pre- and post-natal coaching, from the beginning and with the best care team. Some of the ways that Caser’s Maternity coverage sets itself apart is:

• Choosing your preferred gynecologist in network
• Direct access to diagnostic tests, including the cribado to rule out any chromosomal abnormalities
• Private room for labor and post-partum care
• Numerous ways to reach a professional: from the best medical centers to the comfort of your own home.
  
  

Caser’s Integral and Prestige plans are great options for your pregnancy and delivery, including coverage if you’re on the move – and out of the country. Depending on your coverage level, you can opt into additional protection while abroad. The Prestige plan covers medical expenses while on your trip, including coverages of at least 15,000€ for pregnancy-related complications anywhere in the world and no co-pays – and this is after additional coverage for worldwide expenses.

Other perks outside of maternity coverage include cancellation and lost luggage costs, because travel doesn’t always mean smooth sailing for even the most experienced voyager.

It’s a good idea to let your OB-GYN and the company know that you’ll be traveling during your pregnancy. As always, read the fine print to ensure that you will be in the best hands while abroad. The Caser app holds all of your medical records as well as 24/7 access to a healthcare professional who speaks your language.

Not already covered by Caser? Start by calculating your price and check out the myriad of ways that Caser’s coverage plans will benefit you. The best part is the peace of mind of having travel insurance and pregnancy as an afterthought.

Tips for traveling while pregnant

Every pregnancy is different, so consider your comfort and health, as well as any pregnancy symptoms or risks you may have.

• Research the safety of your destination and get any immunizations done, if necessary. Choose a destination that is safe for pregnancies and has access to healthcare, should you need it. It wouldn’t hurt to have an idea of where the closest neonatal hospital is or what the emergency numbers in your destination.
• Bring copies of your pertinent records in addition to those prenatal pills and compression socks.
• Get clearance from your doctor via a “fit to fly” note.
• Take it slow and rest when your body calls for it.
• Eat pregnancy-safe foods and pack a few protein-heavy snacks in your bag. Don’t forget to stay hydrated!

The takeaway

When I was pregnant with both of my boys, life didn’t stop: my sister’s wedding, work travel and the holidays meant that I was, at some point, on a plane and away for at least a few days. Despite two textbook pregnancies with zero complications, I didn’t want to take any chances that I might need medical intervention or at least a trip to the doctor while traveling. To prepare for trips, I made sure to stop by the gynecologist prior to travel to get a note of good health, and I let flight attendants know I was pregnant as soon as I boarded.

For me, preparation and being in tune with my body – both during transit and in my destinations – helped make travel (mostly) comfortable. I also had the peace of mind that knowing that any complications – whether in the U.S. or in Europe – would be covered under my insurance policy. Do your research, carry copies of medical records, rest and drink water. And if you need to bank your points for a solo weekend after delivery, no shame in that!