Pregnant Women

Emergencies and disasters will not only affect pregnant women more drastically, but also their access to medical services. If a woman has to give birth during a disaster, she may have to do so without the provider knowing adequate information about high-risk medical conditions, for example, mental distress and psychosocial stressors. When planning for disasters, there should be input from obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) providers, certified midwives, maternal and child health programs, family planning clinics, hospital emergency preparedness committees, and related community supports.

Tips for Communication Access and Functional Needs Toolkit Integrating a Community Partner Network to Inform Risk Communication Strategies¹:

1. Create a plan to ensure that all women have access to safe environments to deliver babies.
2. Develop strategies to share health messages and materials with women in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
3. Develop strategies to reach women when traditional methods are not available.
4. Prepare educational materials on the following topics to give to pregnant women and families with infants:
   • Disaster preparedness and recovery
   • Maternal and child health issues
   • Prenatal and well-baby services
5. Encourage pregnant women to have evacuation plans (and plans for prenatal care and/or delivery should they need to evacuate) and emergency birth kits.
6. Stress importance of continuing prenatal care for pregnant women during emergency/disasters.
7. Share information about signs of preterm labor.

Tips for Communication Planning with Pregnant Women from CDC’s Access and Functional Needs Toolkit Integrating a Community Partner Network to Inform Risk Communication Strategies¹:

• Preparing for a disaster:
  • Talk to your health care provider about how to get medical care if there is a natural disaster.
  • Know where to shelter and be prepared to leave quickly and have important items ready to go.
  • Pack your essential items and supplies – remember to bring any medicines you might be taking, your prenatal vitamins, and a copy of your medical records.
  • Stock healthy low-sodium snacks and bottled water to keep up with your nutrition needs and stay hydrated.
• During and after a natural disaster:
  • If you go to a shelter, tell the staff you are pregnant so they can help you.
  • Get medical care right away if you are having signs of labor.
  • When it is safe to do so, make an appointment to continue your prenatal care, even if it is not with your usual doctor.
• Post disaster safety:
  • After a storm or flood, avoid doing hard physical work or disaster clean-up work, entering a building with mold damage, and touching or walking in flood water.
  • After a wildfire, avoid breathing smoke or fumes from recently burned buildings or houses. Keep young children away from areas with smoke or fumes and stay indoors if possible.

Tips from the American Public Health Association’s Get Ready Campaign for Hurricane Preparedness for Pregnant Women¹:

• Do not ignore evacuation orders.
• If evacuated, upon arrival at the shelter, let officials know that you are pregnant.
• Wash your hands after coming into contact with floodwaters, as they may be contaminated.
• Continue regular prenatal care visits as soon as you are out of immediate danger.
• Know the signs of preterm labor (labor that begins before 37 weeks). If you have any signs of preterm labor, call your health care provider, go to the hospital, or inform the person in charge of the emergency shelter right away.
• Be aware that clean water may not be available for mixing formula or for cleaning bottles and nipples. Know how to make water safe to drink and use.

Noteworthy Practice from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH)¹:

• NYC DOHMH assessed pregnant women’s awareness and use of heat warning systems and cooling centers during periods of extreme heat. The assessment found the following:
  • The most common sources for awareness of heat alerts were TV, radio, and internet.
  • Newspapers were the least common.
  • Pregnant women reported they were more likely to obtain information from their close friends/family members than the community or weather apps on smart phones.
  • The highest compliance rates were for staying hydrated (87%) and limited outdoor activity (75%).
  • Respondents indicated they were less likely to find a cool place outside of their home.

Resources for Pregnant ad Postpartum Women

• CT WIC Program: Frequently Asked Questions: Breastfeeding During Emergencies
  • The FAQ sheet was created by the State of Connecticut Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program to answer questions about what women can do for breastfeeding during emergencies or disasters.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Disaster Safety for Expecting and New Parents
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a webpage to assist pregnant women to prepare for an emergency or disaster.
• Preparedness for Moms – Packing and Planning for Disasters while Pregnant
  • The infographic guides pregnant women on how to pack and prepare for a disaster.
• Reproductive Health in Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • The CDC has prepared safety messages for pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women during disasters. The information also includes the impact of public health emergencies on reproductive health.

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Access and Functional Needs Toolkit: Integrating a Community Partner Network to Inform Risk Communication Strategies. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).