Having a baby while active duty

Active-duty service comes with many differences from civilian life. Understanding the differences can help you prepare for the day when your bundle of joy arrives.

Active-duty service comes with many differences from civilian life. For example, frequent military moves and deployment aren't life events our civilian friends and family face. These differences also extend into having a baby while active duty.

Health care coverage for active military mothers-to-be

The great news is having a baby is free with TRICARE, whether you're the active military mother or the military spouse.

Both of my kids were born while I was active duty, and we didn't pay a dime. That's a great benefit for active military families. But consider that if you choose services outside of what TRICARE covers, just like with any insurance company, you might pay out-of-pocket expenses. For example, TRICARE won't pay for you to find out the baby's sex.

When a child is born overseas

If you're stationed overseas, especially in Europe, you have access to top doctors on the military base or the local community if they live near a military base without medical facilities.

If you live in a remote location without sufficient medical facilities, you might be temporarily moved to a location that does.

One potential negative is that, in military medical facilities, you don't always get to see the same doctor twice and you don't have a choice in who you see.

What happens if my baby will be born during deployment?

It's not uncommon for a child to be born during deployment while the military member watches over FaceTime from somewhere else. They then meet their newborn when they're 6 to 9 months old. Sometimes, it's just part of being in the military and one example of sacrifices that are made. This highlights the necessity for the pregnant military spouse or single military member to find a support network.

There are several options, from moving back with family to getting a support network around your home base if your child will be born during a deployment.

No one understands the challenges of having a baby born during deployment like another military family, so feel free to lean on them. Trust me, they'll lean on you when their time comes.

Keep in mind that each person's decision is different, so do what you need to do or what you can afford.

Who should I call if I need support?

Find that one person who becomes your emergency contact and isn't a military member. While the military member desires to help, they can't offer much help if you have an emergency in Kansas while they're in Afghanistan. This emergency contact can be someone you met recently. Remember, all military members are family, even if they have just met.

You might find your emergency contact through programs like the Air Force Key Spouse Program, which exists in all services under different names. They'll be able to connect you with the military services on base who can support you during your time of need, even if that need is having a baby born during deployment.

This is a great resource for new military spouses who might not be as familiar with what's available as a seasoned military spouse. Remember, every seasoned military spouse was once a newbie. Military family readiness centers are usually a one-stop shop for help. Also, don't forget about local support agencies like your church. Another great resource is the New Parent Support Program (Opens in New Window).See note1

The paperwork

When your baby is born while on active duty, there's paperwork to fill out to officially welcome them to the military family and ensure they receive the benefits and coverages they need. While there might be more, here are a few steps you'll want to remember:

Enroll your new baby in DEERS.

Enroll your new baby in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) (Opens in New Window).See note1 This should be within 90 days of a domestic birth or 120 days if the birth is overseas.

If in the U.S., TRICARE Prime enrollment is automatic, while TRICARE Select is standard for overseas locations. Sign them up for USAA membership. Pass on your legacy and your kids will thank you in the future — or at least when they get out of the teenager phase.

Update your will.

Ask yourself who will care for your new baby and how they'll provide this care if something happens to you or your spouse. Make sure you talk with the potential guardians ahead of time to ensure they're willing to take on the responsibility of raising your child.

Update beneficiaries for privately owned life insurance and Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) (Opens in New Window)See note1. This ensures your wishes are executed and those you want to receive the life insurance proceeds do.

If you're a single parent, you might change your beneficiary to the person who will be the guardian of your new baby. On a side note, the nonmilitary spouse needs to consider having their own private life insurance policy in addition to Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) (Opens in New Window)See note1. Raising a child as a single parent can be difficult, and if the worst were to happen, life insurance proceeds can help them get extra help they might need.

Enroll a special needs baby in EFMP.

If your new baby has special needs, make sure to enroll in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) (Opens in New Window)See note1. This program provides you the extra support you might need as you navigate this new world for the first time. While the support available might differ slightly between service and location, the EFMP supports those with special needs by coordinating military and civilian community care. This extends to housing arrangements, education and workshops, military assignments and specialty medical care, just to name a few.

Military parental leave

The good news is the military is supportive of your growing family. The Military Parental Leave Program (MPLP) provides nonchargeable leave following the birth or adoption of a child, similar to benefits being applied by civilian companies. Since the details could change from year to year and might vary by service, we recommend that you learn what you're eligible for and take advantage of it.

As you can see, there are some nice benefits to having a baby while active duty. The delivery's free. Plus, the military will ensure you have access to top-quality health care and will even provide additional support if a special need arises.

But there are some additional stresses that can come with having a baby while active duty. You and your spouse might not be together when the moment finally comes. But keep in mind that you'll have a wonderful support network surrounding you, even if you decide not to move back home during this time.

For more resources for military spouses, please visit usaa.com/militaryspouse.