A new pregnancy full of excitement and anticipation; she looks forward to that new bouncing baby and holds him in her arms. Many couples choose to wait until the second trimester to break the news to family and friends. There is an understanding that the first few months of pregnancy can be risky. If a couple loses their baby during this time, they prefer to grieve in private.
A common problem is first trimester spotting or bleeding. About a quarter of women who give birth to healthy babies experience some spotting early in their pregnancy. However, bleeding can be an indicator of a pending miscarriage, and sometimes a doctor may suggest bed rest to improve the chances of a successful delivery and a healthy mother.
First trimester bed rest
Bed rest for a couple of days is tolerable for most women and their finances. But sometimes bed rest can go on for weeks or months. If the mother’s income is needed to help make ends meet financially, the loss of income puts unnecessary, unwanted, and unhealthy strain on an already difficult situation. Adding stress to first trimester bleeding can’t be good for mom or baby. Bed rest should relieve stress, not increase it.
Sometimes a family just can’t afford to have Mom miss extra time from work. Instead of taking the bed rest her doctor suggests, she returns to work hoping for the best. What a horrible dilemma many women face: choosing between the health of their baby and financial ruin. There has to be a better way.
Short-term disability from bed rest
Short term disability insurance is vital in situations like these. It replaces mom’s income during the time she is absent from work due to her pregnancy, whether it is during the first trimester, second trimester, third trimester or on her maternity leave. Income replacement allows mom to rest comfortably at home without worrying about how to pay bills, return to work too soon, or ignore doctor’s orders.
The most surprising aspect of short-term disability coverage is the incentives to enroll before you get pregnant. First, to cover any pregnancy, the policy must begin before you become pregnant. Secondly, there is the opportunity to purchase insurance for a planned event – your normal labor and delivery.
By purchasing insurance that covers a planned event, you can beat the insurance company at their own game. Short-term disability pays a six-week benefit for a normal vaginal delivery and an eight-week benefit for a normal Cesarean delivery, less the washout period. The projected benefit for normal delivery is two to three times the average annual premium.
Short-term disability generates maternity income
This means that women planning a pregnancy can use short-term disability insurance to generate maternity leave income. And with no additional premium cost comes the added security of knowing you’re also covered if your doctor orders bed rest during your first trimester or at any other time during your pregnancy.
Do yourself and your future pregnancy a big favor. Buy short-term disability insurance before you get pregnant.
