Editor’s Note: First published in 2020. Fully updated in 2026 to reflect current Irish underwriting practices, insurer approaches to pregnancy-related conditions, and real-world application timing considerations.
10-second summary: Pregnancy on its own does not increase life insurance premiums in Ireland. Most women are accepted at standard rates. Complications can affect timing, and insurers assess risk differently, so applying at the right moment keeps the process smooth and avoids unnecessary delays.
If you’re pregnant, there’s a lot going on.
Appointments.
Lists.
Advice from everyone.
Somewhere in the middle of all that, life insurance pops into your head.
You’re excited.
You’re tired.
And Googling things at 2am that you never thought about before.
Life insurance is one of those things that quietly moves up the list once there’s a small human on the way.
And you might be wondering: Should I just leave this until after the baby arrives? I’ve enough going on.
Let’s slow this down and make it simple.
Does Pregnancy Affect Life Insurance?
In most normal pregnancies, the answer is no.
Being pregnant does not automatically increase your life insurance premium.
Insurers expect changes during pregnancy. Your weight may be higher. Blood pressure can fluctuate. Cholesterol can shift.
That’s normal.
They know that.
If your pregnancy is straightforward and there are no complications, most women are offered cover at standard rates.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing stressful.
When Might an Insurer Pause Things?
Sometimes insurers will wait until after delivery before finalising cover.
This usually happens if there is:
- Gestational diabetes that is still being monitored
- Blood pressure that is outside the expected pregnancy range
- Preeclampsia
- Ongoing consultant follow-up for complications
That sounds scary, but it isn’t.
It does not mean decline. It usually just means “let’s wait until things settle.”
Once readings return to normal after delivery, cover is typically offered on standard terms.
So the issue is timing, not long-term insurability.
So… Should You Just Wait?
This is the real question, isn’t it?
You’ve enough on your plate. The idea of forms and underwriting might feel like one thing too many.
If you’re early in pregnancy and everything is progressing normally, putting cover in place now is usually straightforward.
If you’re planning a pregnancy, arranging cover beforehand is often even simpler and you access some additoanl benefits that have a 9 month waiting period.
If complications have already developed, sometimes the calmer move is to plan the timing properly rather than rush it.
Insurers assess risk differently.
The first application you make matters.
A badly timed application can create unnecessary back-and-forth that nobody needs right now.
Handled properly, this should feel like ticking something off your list – not adding stress.
What About Gestational Diabetes?
This is the most common concern.
If gestational diabetes develops, some insurers may apply a temporary premium loading. In many cases, that loading is reviewed and removed once blood sugar levels return to normal after pregnancy.
Different insurers approach this slightly differently. That’s why choosing the right insurer first can make the whole process smoother.
You don’t need to become an underwriting expert. You just need it structured properly from the outset.
What If I Struggle After the Baby Is Born?
A lot of mums worry about this quietly.
The “baby blues” do not affect life insurance.
If postnatal depression occurs, most insurers will still offer cover at standard rates once it has resolved and treatment has completed.
If there is ongoing treatment or a broader mental health history, insurers may ask for more detail. In most cases, this does not prevent cover being arranged.
Being open protects you.
Resolved conditions are treated very differently from active ones.
Can You Apply for Income Protection While Pregnant?
Yes, as long as you are still working.
Pregnancy itself is not considered a claimable condition.
However, if complications prevent you from returning to work after maternity leave, income protection has your back.
Once maternity leave has started, income rptoeciton won’t be possible , so timing matters here too.
Do Some Policies Include Extra Pregnancy Benefits?
Yes, and this is one of the quieter differences between insurers.
Some policies include additional pregnancy-related benefits that provide partial payments if certain serious complications occur, subject to defined medical criteria.
These payments sit alongside your main life cover and are an added layer of reassurance rather than the core reason to arrange protection.
Not every insurer includes these features, and the detail varies.
It’s not about chasing bells and whistles.
It is about choosing a policy that fits this stage of your life properly.
What Is the Simplest Way to Get This Sorted?
You do not need complexity.
You need:
- The right insurer chosen first
- Clear and honest medical disclosure
- Sensible timing
- Minimal unnecessary reports
Pregnancy is a normal life event. Underwriting reflects that when handled properly.
If part of you is thinking, “I know I should do this, but I’m tired,” that’s completely understandable.
The goal here is to take this off your list, not add to it.
If you’d like help putting cover in place smoothly and with the least hassle possible, complete the short questionnaire below. We’ll review it and guide you through the next step in plain English.
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Written by Nick McGowan, QFA RPA APA
Nick is a qualified financial advisor and founder of Lion.ie, an independent Irish life insurance and income protection brokerage based in Tullamore.
He’s been helping people get fair, transparent cover for over 15 years and was named Protection Broker of the Year 2022.
If you’d like straight answers without the sales pitch, learn more about Nick here.