Complicated Pregnancy story – Switch Health

For many mothers to be, planning to travel when pregnant is a common occurrence and while most pregnancies are uncomplicated, it is advisable to plan for the unexpected, as private medical costs can be high, especially in the event of a complex birth.

Having the right international private medical insurance protects, but it is advisable to check the small print, as cover terms do vary considerably between policies. APRIL International UK’s Executive Plus plan is one policy that brokers such as Switch Health are happy to recommend, as it offers a genuinely comprehensive coverage for all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. A useful feature of international private medical insurance often overlooked is that an insurer’s assistance provider, who coordinate all requests for care, keep detailed records as to the quality and range of healthcare facilities locally too.

Regular check-ups can help the mother learn the difference between normal changes during her pregnancy and those that could present a problem, but most pregnant women will experience some minor complications.

That is precisely what happened to family visiting London recently from Israel. When complications appeared likely, the family requested pre-natal care at London’s Portland hospital which the insurer, APRIL International UK, was happy to agree and arrange. With the cost of these appointments already exceeding £3000, the pregnancy then became in medical terms “complex”, meaning the best medical advice was to proceed with a caesarean sections, as by now, on top of the known complications, the child was three days late.

The operation was agreed by the insurers and the baby was safely delivered in September of last year – mother and child are both in good health. The total costs, though, amounted to £22,500, which luckily for the parents,  APRIL International UK covered in full.

Complex pregnancies are in fact relatively common. According to the NHS, in women under 30, 1 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage, whilst in women aged 35-39, up to 2 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage. More than 50 per cent of miscarriages in the first trimester are caused by chromosomal abnormalities.

Ectopic pregnancies occur when the fertilised egg attaches itself in a place other than inside the uterus, most occur in the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies occur in around 2 per cent of pregnancies.

Pre-eclampsia is characterised by high blood pressure and occurs is around 10 per cent of pregnancies. It is a serious condition which should not be left untreated.

Many of the potential problems of pregnancy are best managed when they are detected early. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be life threatening to both the mother and foetus. A small percentage of women develop gestational diabetes which can also be a serious threat.

Having a comprehensive private medical insurance policy in place is essential for expectant mothers – it is the job of the broker through to ensure that the known risks are all covered effectively and that there is scope for the cover to extend to emergencies.