Pregnancy Insurance Singapore 2026: What It Covers, Costs & When to Buy

What Is Pregnancy Insurance?

Pregnancy insurance — also known as maternity insurance, prenatal insurance, or baby insurance — is a type of insurance plan designed to provide financial protection during pregnancy and in the early years of your child's life.

Unlike your regular health insurance, pregnancy insurance specifically covers pregnancy complications (for the mother) and congenital illnesses (for the baby). Rather than paying for individual medical tests, most plans pay a lump sum (typically around $5,000 or more) upon diagnosis of a claimable condition.

Pregnancy insurance has become increasingly common in Singapore. The plans are relatively new — they first appeared about a decade ago — but awareness has grown significantly, with most expectant mothers now aware of this type of coverage.

Why Consider Pregnancy Insurance?

Every pregnancy is different, and unexpected complications can arise regardless of how healthy you are. Some costs to consider:

• A stay in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) costs approximately $1,000 per day at a private hospital
• An emergency caesarean section can double a delivery bill
• Surgery for congenital conditions can run into tens of thousands of dollars

What Pregnancy Insurance Covers

Coverage varies between insurers, but pregnancy insurance plans in Singapore generally cover two main categories:

1. Pregnancy Complications (Mother)

Financial assistance if the mother experiences complications during pregnancy or delivery, including:

• Emergency caesarean section
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Stillbirth
• Miscarriage (in some plans)
• Other specified pregnancy complications

2. Congenital Illnesses (Baby)

Lump-sum payout if the baby is diagnosed with specified congenital conditions. For example, Singlife Maternity Care covers 23 congenital illnesses and 10 types of pregnancy complications.

What Is NOT Covered

• Normal delivery costs
• Routine prenatal check-ups and scans
• Yoga, Pilates, or wellness classes
• Pre-existing conditions
• Conditions diagnosed before the policy start date

MediShield Life vs Pregnancy Insurance

All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are covered by MediShield Life. Here is how it compares to private pregnancy insurance:

Bottom line: MediShield Life covers hospitalisation for pregnancy complications at subsidised ward rates, but it does not cover congenital conditions in the baby. Private pregnancy insurance fills this gap.

Do You Need an Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) Too?

An Integrated Shield Plan upgrades MediShield Life to cover B1 or A-class wards in public hospitals, or private hospitals. ISPs typically provide coverage of $300,000 to $600,000 per year, compared to MediShield Life's $100,000. Adding a policy rider can cover deductibles and co-insurance, reducing out-of-pocket costs further.

An ISP covers the mother's hospitalisation needs but still does not cover the baby's congenital conditions — that is what pregnancy insurance is for.

When to Buy Pregnancy Insurance

Timing matters significantly with pregnancy insurance. Here is the recommended timeline:

How Much Does Pregnancy Insurance Cost?

Pregnancy insurance in Singapore is typically paid as a single premium (one-time payment). Costs vary based on the plan type and coverage level:

The advantage of a bundled plan is that the baby is guaranteed a life insurance plan from birth, regardless of any conditions diagnosed during pregnancy or at delivery. Without a bundled plan, a baby born premature or with a congenital condition may not qualify for life insurance later.

Pregnancy Insurance Providers in Singapore (2026)

Several insurers offer pregnancy/maternity insurance in Singapore. Here is an overview of the main providers:

Note: Plan availability, premiums, and terms change periodically. Always check directly with the insurer or speak with a licensed financial adviser for the most current information.

5 Reasons Your Pregnancy Insurance Application May Be Rejected

Pregnancy insurance underwriting is strict. Approximately 5 out of 10 applications are rejected due to pre-existing or newly detected conditions. Here are the five most common reasons:

1. Low-Lying Placenta (Placenta Previa)

As many as 3 out of 10 pregnancies are diagnosed with some degree of placenta previa during routine ultrasound, which can be detected as early as week 12. There are three types:

• Complete previa: Placenta covers the entire cervical opening
• Partial previa: Placenta covers part of the cervical opening
• Marginal previa: Placenta borders the cervix

About 90% of marginal and partial previa cases resolve on their own — the placenta moves up and away from the cervix before week 30. However, complete previa is less likely to resolve and usually requires a caesarean section.

Insurance implication: Applications are delayed until the placenta moves up. If it does not move, applications are rejected.

2. Uterine Fibroids, Cysts, or Polyps

Fibroids are very common — an estimated 25% to 80% of women have fibroids. Uterine fibroids can grow during pregnancy due to rising oestrogen levels and may affect the pregnancy by:

• Distorting the uterus, preventing the pregnancy from growing properly
• Diverting blood supply from the pregnancy
• Interfering with implantation of the fertilised egg
• Potentially causing premature labour, miscarriage, or obstructed labour

Insurance implication: Applications usually require an official memo from your gynaecologist confirming whether the growth poses a risk to the pregnancy. If it does, the application is rejected.

3. Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes affects close to 18% of all pregnancies. It usually develops in the second trimester, between weeks 24 and 28. If well-managed, it typically resolves after birth. But untreated gestational diabetes can cause the baby to grow very large, increasing the likelihood of an emergency caesarean section. Other risks include hypoglycemia, jaundice, breathing problems, and a higher likelihood of the child developing ADHD or Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Insurance implication: Applications with gestational diabetes are usually rejected. This is why buying insurance before week 24 is strongly recommended.

4. Pre-Eclampsia (High Blood Pressure)

Pre-eclampsia affects approximately 1 in 10 pregnancies and 1 in 5 first pregnancies. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and upper abdominal pain. Pre-eclampsia can develop without obvious symptoms, which is why regular prenatal check-ups are important.

Insurance implication: Applications with pre-eclampsia are usually rejected.

5. Past Pregnancy Complications

For second and subsequent pregnancies, if any of the above conditions occurred in a previous pregnancy, the application will be rejected due to the higher probability that the same condition may recur.

For example, if you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, there is approximately a 60% chance of it recurring.

Insurance implication: Applications are usually rejected if past pregnancies had any of these complications.

What to Look For in a Pregnancy Insurance Plan

Not all plans are the same. Here are key factors to compare:

Insurance for Your Newborn

Beyond pregnancy insurance, parents should consider getting insurance for their newborn as early as possible. Newborns are vulnerable to illness, and premiums are lower when purchased at a younger age.

Recommended Insurance Plans for Newborns

Can You Use CDA to Pay for Insurance?

Yes, in some cases. Certain insurers allow private Integrated Shield Plans to be paid using funds from the baby's Child Development Account (CDA). However, not all insurance products are CDA-eligible — check with your insurer.

The CDA receives government co-matching and the CDA First Step Grant ($5,000 for the first and second child, $10,000 for the third and subsequent children under the Large Family Scheme). Using CDA funds for your child's hospitalisation plan is an efficient use of these funds.

For more on the Baby Bonus and CDA, see our Baby Bonus Singapore 2026 guide.