Award winning New Zealand travel insurer TINZ has just announced that it now covers pregnant travellers who conceived through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Families hoping to get away for a break before bub arrives can relax knowing that cover is now available.
Plus, TINZ’s new online medical assessment system assesses travellers that have pregnancy-related complications, whether the pregnancy was assisted or not.
You can now have certain complications assessed including pre-eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy and gestational diabetes. The cost to cover these conditions ranges based on both personal circumstances such as the age of traveller and the severity of the condition, as well as trip details such as the number of days of travel and the destination.
Please note: There are certain circumstances that cover isn’t available, for instance if you have experienced bleeding, or if you are having triplets conceived through IVF. All expectant mothers should consider their personal situation and whether they travel as most insurers, including TINZ exclude cover for childbirth or the health of a newborn child, regardless of the stage of pregnancy when the child is born.
TINZ's pregnancy cover is available up to and including the 24th week for a single foetus and 19 weeks gestation for multiple pregnancies.
While travelling during pregnancy is considered safe during your first and second trimesters, it’s still a good idea to do some fact checking and seek medical advice before you go. The following factors are worth considering before you jet off:
Destination: A remote island might be the ultimate in luxury but in some instances, not the best location for your babymoon. Consider locations with good road access, transport networks and access to medical facilities. If you are planning to visit a developing country be sure to check safetravel.govt.nz for any governmental warnings.
Activities: Depending on your energy levels your babymoon may be best spent unwinding and relaxing rather than taking part in sightseeing tours and physical activities. Mums-to-be should be wary about participating in activities like scuba diving, ice-skating, rock-climbing and amusement park rides. Certain sports and activities may not be covered by your travel insurer either. Speak to your doctor about recommended activities before you book anything up front.
Local food and drink: A pad Thai from a street vendor might be exactly what you’re craving, but can you guarantee its freshness? Be cautious about food you suspect may not have been kept refrigerated or properly cooked through, and make sure the tap water at your destination is safe to drink.
Vaccinations and medication: Are you suffering from heart burn or morning sickness? Make sure you’ve got any necessary medications and vitamins packed in your case rather than relying on local pharmacies. Plan any vaccinations well in advance and make sure they’re suitable for you and bub.
Plane support: Swelling and dehydration on a plane is common - especially for those that are expecting. Sitting on a plane for eight hours can also put you at risk of deep vein thrombosis. Make sure you get some good stretches in every couple of hours (at least), drink heaps of water, wear comfy clothes (with room to move), and wear DVT flight socks. Remember, if you’re over 28 weeks you may need a letter from your doctor saying you’re fit to fly.
IVF is a process where an egg is combined with sperm outside the body, in vitro. In theory, there is little difference in the actual pregnancy once the woman has fallen pregnant whether it be naturally or assisted.
Some studies suggest that IVF pregnancies are at higher risk of complications such as pre-eclampsia which in turn can lead to high blood pressure. However, with the advancements in IVF treatment in recent years, the overall risk of these adverse outcomes remains low.
There are limits on the stages of pregnancy covered, so provided there aren’t any known complications, there is no evidence to suggest that someone travelling with an IVF pregnancy should be any riskier than one that is conceived naturally.
Having the right travel insurance for your holiday is always important, but especially so when you’re pregnant. Check-in with your doctor to make sure both you and bubs are healthy and fit for travel. Read your policy document before you depart, paying attention to any sections on pregnancy cover if you are expecting twins or have conceived through IVF as your cover options may be restricted. Declare any medical conditions or complications to your insurer.
On the off-chance you do need to cancel your trip or require medical care abroad, having the right cover will allow you to put your feet up and enjoy some R&R before life as you know it changes forever.
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