‘Health insurance should cover more than two scans for pregnant women’

Maternal health experts are urging the National Health Insurance Authority and Health Maintenance Organizations to increase the minimum number of sonography sessions that pregnant women are entitled to beyond the current limit of two. They emphasize that not all pregnancies are the same, highlighting the need for accommodations in delicate cases where more than two ultrasound scans may be necessary. Many pregnant women may find it challenging to afford additional scans on their own, making this adjustment crucial.

The experts stress the importance of adhering to any ultrasound scans recommended by healthcare providers, as these scans are vital for monitoring the health of both the mother and the baby throughout the pregnancy. According to the experts, the two fundamental scans that a pregnant woman is entitled to include one around the 12th week to estimate the due date and another at approximately 20 weeks, known as the anomaly scan.

In a discussion with HealthWise, consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Abiodun Adeniran and Dr. Samuel Ilikannu emphasized that women should not skip these scans. Dr. Adeniran noted that there are various reasons a woman might be required to undergo more than the two basic scans typically covered by some Health Maintenance Organizations. He explained that HMOs often provide for only two scans under the assumption that this is sufficient for an uncomplicated pregnancy. However, he added that if there are indications of potential complications, additional scans may be necessary.

Dr. Adeniran further clarified that healthcare providers do not recommend extra scans unless there is evidence suggesting that the pregnancy may be at risk. He provided examples of situations that could warrant additional scans, such as if a woman is experiencing bleeding or if the growth rate of the womb appears smaller than expected for the gestational age. In such cases, an ultrasound scan would be requested to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and the baby.