Best Health Insurance for Pregnancy

Contributes to the cost of giving birth in hospital, whether vaginal or via caesarean section. This includes delivery suite use, nursing care, and hospital-based support during labour.

Includes your stay in a private or public hospital. You may be eligible for a private room (depending on availability), and your stay could range from 1–5 days depending on the type of birth and recovery needs.

If you need a caesarean section or assisted delivery, your policy contributes towards the cost of the operating theatre and surgical staff.

Covers the care you receive in hospital after giving birth, including medical checks, pain relief and support with your recovery.

Anaesthetic services such as epidurals administered during your hospital stay are included in your cover.

Any medications required during your stay in hospital (e.g. antibiotics, pain relief) are typically covered under your policy.

If you need blood work or pathology during your inpatient stay, these are generally covered.

If you are admitted to hospital due to a miscarriage, health insurance with pregnancy cover will typically cover the inpatient care required, such as surgery (e.g. dilation and curettage/D&C), overnight stay or day surgery anaesthesia.

This is arguably the most useful Extras benefit during and after pregnancy. Physiotherapy during pregnancy can help relieve back and pelvic pain, improve posture, and strengthen the pelvic floor. After birth, it’s useful for core recovery, C-section rehab, and managing incontinence or other postpartum issues.

Many extras policies help cover the cost of classes that prepare you for labour, birth and early parenting. These may include sessions on pain management, breastfeeding, and caring for your newborn — often taught by experienced midwives or educators.

Some women find relief from pregnancy-related aches and pains through chiropractic or osteopathic care. These therapies can help with pelvic alignment, reduce lower back strain, and ease joint discomfort as your body changes.

Often used to support pregnancy wellness, acupuncture may help with nausea, fatigue, and pain relief. Some women also turn to it late in pregnancy to prepare for labour or manage breech presentation.

Pregnancy massage can relieve muscle tension, reduce swelling, and promote relaxation. If your extras cover includes remedial massage, and the provider is approved, you may be able to claim part of the cost.

A dietitian can support healthy eating during pregnancy, help manage gestational diabetes, and provide guidance for breastfeeding nutrition. Many extras policies offer a set number of sessions each year.

Some higher-tier extras policies cover private lactation consultants, who can assist with common breastfeeding challenges like latching issues, low supply, or mastitis, which can be especially helpful in the early weeks after birth.

Pregnancy and the postnatal period can come with emotional ups and downs. Extras cover may include counselling or psychologist sessions to support your mental wellbeing through anxiety, depression, or adjustment to parenthood.

Once your baby is on your family policy, extras cover may include services like physiotherapy or speech therapy if your child needs support with movement, feeding, or early development milestones.

Private health insurance doesn’t cover your regular obstetrician appointments or the pregnancy 'management fee'. These are considered outpatient services, but you can usually claim part of the cost back through Medicare.

Routine pregnancy ultrasounds, blood tests, and genetic screening are outpatient services. While Medicare may partially cover some of these, private Hospital insurance won’t contribute unless you’re admitted to hospital.

Appointments with your GP for pregnancy check-ups or shared care aren’t covered by hospital insurance. Medicare usually covers a portion, but you may still have out-of-pocket costs.

Hospital-based antenatal or birth classes aren’t covered under hospital insurance. Some Extras policies may reimburse part of the cost, but it’s worth checking your individual cover.

If a miscarriage or termination is managed outside of hospital (for example, at a GP clinic or early pregnancy unit) it won’t be covered by hospital insurance. Medicare may cover part of the costs.

Private insurance covers caesarean births, but it won’t fund non-medically necessary procedures that your doctor or hospital doesn’t support. You’ll need to discuss options with your obstetrician and hospital.

Once your baby is born, any medical care they need outside the hospital, like GP visits, immunisations or check-ups, isn’t covered under your pregnancy hospital policy. You’ll need to add your baby to a family policy for future claims.