A mother is someone who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take, said Gaspard Mermillod
In recent years, India has seen significant strides in maternal health, but the challenges are very real. As per the Sample Registration System, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India bettered from 130 per 1 lakh live births in 2014–16 to 97 per 1 lakh live births in 2018–20. Still, that means almost 25,000 mothers die a year from pregnancy-related causes. While, almost 50% of all pregnancies are considered “high-risk.”
About 49.4% of women in a recent survey had one or more high-risk factors during pregnancy with over 16% having multiple risk factors. Expecting mothers need holistic support.
Evolving cover
Maternity insurance is evolving. Beyond covering hospital bills and complications, new programmes are delivering a range of care that addresses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions of pregnancy. These solutions are designed to support mothers throughout their journey.
Maternity insurance had long been an afterthought for most consumers. Earlier, such cover in health insurance came with waiting periods of up to 2–4 years making it impractical for couples planning a family. Our data shows out of couples seeking such a cover, a majority would already be expecting a child with no scope for long waiting periods. Recognising this gap, insurers are now offering maternity plans with waiting periods as low as three months.
This means even expecting couples can opt for the cover soon as they find out. These policies include pre- and post-natal and newborn care. The cut in wait periods makes it viable for families to secure expanding households.
Imagine a system that begins with prenatal screenings and extends into personalised consultations with obstetricians, nutritionists and mental health professionals. Add to this prenatal yoga sessions that build strength and endurance. Families also benefit from curated trimester-wise content and supportive community circles where experiences and knowledge are shared.
India’s MMR, though declining, is still above the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target of 70 per 1 lakh live births. High-risk pregnancies are common, and the gaps in preventive and emotional care are wide. Regional disparities in wealth, education, and healthcare access further compound the challenges. For many mothers, medical appointments give only partial assurance; what is often missing is continuous guidance, holistic wellness practices, and emotional reassurance. This is why maternity insurance that combines financial protection with wellness support is so powerful. Insurance is no longer a transaction that waits for something to go wrong. It becomes a partner that works to ensure more goes right.
Changing landscape
Urban lifestyles, rising stress levels, and delayed pregnancies are reshaping the maternity landscape in India. More women are entering motherhood in their late 20s and 30s, a stage often associated with higher medical risks. At the same time, the costs of childbirth are steadily rising. The cost of cesarean deliveries in private hospitals can range between ₹1.5-₹3 lakh in metros, not including postnatal care and potential complications. For young families, the expenses can create both emotional and financial strain.
Wellness-driven maternity cover cushions the financial blow of medical bills while also lowering the likelihood of complications via preventive care. This is particularly important in a country where medical inflation hovers about 14% annually, one of the highest in Asia. By embedding wellness into financial protection, these products align with the growing desire of modern families to seek holistic, long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes.
Healthier beginnings
India has made commendable progress, but with nearly one in two pregnancies classified as high risk and many women still walking into motherhood feeling overwhelmed or unsupported, the work is far from done. The opportunity lies in embedding wellness into maternity insurance so that every expecting mother feels seen and cared for not just clinically but also emotionally and spiritually.
When maternity cover also becomes wellness insurance it becomes a safety net and a companion. It supports women not only in managing complications but in nurturing strength, resilience, and confidence.
(The writer is head, health insurance, Policybazaar.com)
Published on September 29, 2025