Many couples eagerly await the day they see those double lines on their early pregnancy test strip that declare: you’re pregnant! A woman may be experiencing symptoms that suggest good news is just around the corner, and a strip is an easy way to get a solid indication before getting a more reliable exam from her doctor.
Disappointment occurs when a couple has been trying to conceive for some time and the indicator comes back negative. While the news may be daunting for couples looking to start a family, there is a silver lining. It is not too late to make important decisions that can affect the family for years.
It’s not too late!
It is part of human nature to take on and think about problems as they enter our radar screen. Starting a family requires some thought and planning that goes beyond are we pregnant? An important example is insurance purchases. For most insurance needs, you should buy your policy before you crash your car, before the wind blows the roof off your house, before you get sick or injured, and for growing families it’s before you get married. pregnant.
The upside of a negative result is a wake-up call to get the right insurance coverage without spending more time. While we all hope and expect having a baby to be a happy health experience, not all pregnancies work out that way. Twenty-five percent of women will experience one or more complications, and twelve percent of babies are born premature and may have serious medical problems.
Pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition by most health insurance policies. You must have the correct coverage in place before you are blessed by design. Make sure your primary health insurance plan covers normal maternity, as many don’t. You may need to purchase an additional maternity plan that may have a long waiting period or a high deductible.
Think about paying all your bills
Another important consideration is making your mortgage, car and credit card payments. Adding another family member increases expenses, and these costs tend to increase just when the mother needs to stop working to deliver her baby. Paying additional bills when income disappears can be a struggle for many couples.
In the US, most women take unpaid maternity leave. Some are lucky enough to work for employers with a paid leave policy, but this is rare. A larger group of women work in one of the five large states with mandatory state disability plans that replace a portion of earnings during maternity leave. Even those with state plans find fault: New York only pays a measly $170 a week.
The remaining couples must purchase a private short-term disability policy before seeing those double lines on their test. Normal labor is covered when delivery occurs nine months after the effective date of the policy. Those with state plans can supplement their income replacement.
Get covered before your next visit to the pharmacy.