Women Demand Extended Maternity Benefits for Families with More Than Two Children

The conversation around maternity insurance and comprehensive health insurance for parents gained renewed momentum during a panel discussion in Vijayawada. Women police officers and civil leaders advocated for extended government-backed maternity benefits beyond the current two-child policy. The event, held on International Women’s Day 2025, shed light on the challenges working mothers and homemakers face, especially those raising more than two children without sufficient support from social protection schemes.

Context: The two-child policy and existing maternity coverage

Under most government health schemes and public sector employment benefits in India, maternity benefits—such as paid leave and medical coverage—are typically granted for up to two live births. These benefits usually include financial assistance for hospitalisation, postnatal care, and recovery, forming part of broader maternity insurance provisions.

However, participants at the panel argued that this coverage is insufficient for families who, either by personal choice or cultural expectation, have more than two children. The current restrictions mean that women giving birth to a third child or more may lose out on crucial medical and financial support, despite facing similar or even heightened health risks during childbirth and recovery.

The Vijayawada panel discussion

The discussion, titled Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women in Leadership, Challenges and Way Forward, was organised by the NTR Police Department as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. Speakers included government ministers, senior police officers, social workers, and private sector representatives, who collectively addressed the socio-economic and health-related challenges that women continue to face both in professional environments and at home.

During the event, women officers voiced their concern over policy gaps. One constable pointed out the apparent contradiction between public figures encouraging population growth and the restrictive maternity benefit policies in place. This led to calls for policy reforms that align state welfare benefits with evolving demographic and cultural contexts.

Why extended maternity benefits are essential

Extending maternity insurance to cover more than two children could offer several advantages:

• Health protection for mothers: Each pregnancy carries its own risks, and subsequent births often require closer medical attention. Insurance that covers all pregnancies ensures safer outcomes for both mother and child.
  
• Equitable access to healthcare: Limiting maternity benefits to two deliveries inadvertently discriminates against women with larger families, particularly in rural or economically disadvantaged communities where access to private insurance is limited.
  
• Support for maternal mental health: Postpartum care is not limited to physical recovery; mental and emotional health support should also be part of the package, regardless of the number of deliveries.
  
• Continuity of employment: With maternity benefits, women are more likely to stay in their jobs, particularly in public service or formal sectors where benefits are tied to employment duration and performance.
  

Maternity insurance versus health insurance for parents

While maternity insurance focuses on covering expenses related to childbirth, health insurance for parents—especially those under group or family floater plans—extends to overall wellness, hospitalisation, and critical illness coverage. The overlap of these two categories is significant for growing families, especially when young mothers are also primary caregivers to ageing parents.

Incorporating maternity care into broader family health insurance packages could simplify access and reduce financial stress. This integration would ensure that all members of a family, including those expecting children, receive necessary medical support under a single, streamlined policy.

A gender equity perspective

The call for extended benefits also touches on gender equity in public health policy. Women often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities while balancing work and other obligations. When policies fall short in supporting their reproductive choices and caregiving roles, it places them at a systemic disadvantage.

Discussions from the Vijayawada panel also highlighted ingrained gender biases in upbringing, education, and employment opportunities. Addressing maternity benefits in policy reform is not just a healthcare issue—it is a gender justice imperative.

Economic implications of extended maternity coverage

Critics may argue that extending maternity insurance for additional deliveries would strain government resources. However, from a broader economic perspective, this support may reduce long-term healthcare costs by promoting healthier pregnancies and reducing complications from inadequate care.

Moreover, when mothers are supported through comprehensive insurance policies, they are more likely to return to the workforce, thereby contributing to economic productivity and stability. In this sense, maternity benefits should be viewed not as expenses but as investments in national human capital.

The way forward: Policy recommendations

Policymakers can consider the following steps to address the concerns raised:

1. Reform insurance scheme limits: Modify the cap on the number of deliveries covered under public maternity schemes, at least for low-income families or vulnerable groups.
   
2. Integrate maternal health into family health plans: Encourage insurers and public schemes to include childbirth-related coverage within family health insurance packages.
   
3. Provide universal postnatal care: Ensure that postnatal services such as counselling, mental health support, and recovery check-ups are covered for all mothers, irrespective of delivery number.
   
4. Digital health registration: Maintain health records through digital platforms to help monitor high-risk pregnancies and automate insurance claims.
   
5. Awareness campaigns: Educate families—particularly in rural areas—about their insurance entitlements and encourage them to register for available schemes.
   

Conclusion

The panel discussion in Vijayawada served as a timely reminder of the evolving needs of Indian women and the importance of aligning public policy with these realities. Expanding maternity insurance coverage and integrating health insurance for parents into more inclusive family welfare frameworks can go a long way in promoting equitable access to healthcare. As the nation celebrates women’s achievements, it must also listen to their demands—especially when those demands call for a safer, healthier, and more dignified life for mothers across all walks of society.