Pregnancy related absence from work is common. Though pregnancy otherwise is a happy-to-be process, it often leaves a working woman out of work for months. This comes really hard on those families that subsist on the income of the woman. Even if covered by the employer, complications in pregnancies might leave women out of work beyond the prescribed limit of pregnancy leave, thereby having to go without any income. If this may seem the case, check what rights you are eligible for in regards to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The Pregnancy Disability Insurance can be described as the insurance that provides coverage to insured women against the loss of income that occurs during and after pregnancy and the disabilities related to it. For some women this could be the only source of earning while for others it could be a way to plug in the gaps left by the leave insurance provided by the employer.


Maternity Leave

Employers generally offer maternity leave for three months and this is a paid leave, which means that the employee keeps receiving the salary despite her absence. However, complications in pregnancy or troubled pregnancy could leave women in bed for months. This means that she is not entitled to receive the benefit of maternity leave beyond the prescribed period of three months. Therefore taking pregnancy disability Insurance assures a stable flow of income during the period of pregnancy and even after delivery. As a condition to receive the benefit of pregnancy disability Insurance, the woman must get the insurance prior to getting pregnant. Once pregnant, this opportunity to avail additional benefit ceases.

Prior to the introduction of the pregnancy disability insurance, women were at the mercy of the employers with regards to the maternity leave and had to accept terms and conditions laid therein. Non-acceptance of the terms or an absence beyond the laid time period often cost them their jobs or their seniority. Nevertheless, with the insurance in place, working women can now have some peace of mind about the income flow during and after pregnancy.


Eligibility for the Insurance

As mentioned before, the women that take insurance prior to getting pregnant are eligible for obtaining the pregnancy disability insurance. This insurance assures 60 to 70 percent of the income in the final month of pregnancy and this extends up to five or six weeks after delivery. In case of certain medical conditions, the period of benefit can be extended if a physician certifies it.


How to get the Insurance

Nearly all insurance companies provide the pregnancy disability insurance. The need is to research and study the various companies to get a robust and fair deal. As the benefit can be availed only if insured before being pregnant, it is wise to plan ahead. This way one can be assured of a steady flow of income during the time when pregnancy inhibits a woman’s movement and her ability to work. The internet is a good source to scour for information related to the pregnancy disability insurance.