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Pregnancy & Emergency Preparedness

9/5/2017

10 Comments

 
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If you live in the southeast United States, it's safe to say that you've heard about the imminent threat from a wandering monster of a hurricane named Irma. There's a meme floating around Facebook that says something along the lines of "you know you're a Floridian if you find out a hurricane is now a category 3 or higher and now you have to care." While winging it *might* be a (sometimes misguided) option for some folks, parents of small children and pregnant women should be especially prepared for whatever emergency situations they might face--especially with the hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, and wildfires happening around the United States right now.

Evacuation
Usually evacuation wouldn't be the first thing on the list of things to consider, but this may be on the top of the list for pregnant moms who are especially vulnerable in situations where access to emergency services, basic utilities, or safe travel cannot be guaranteed. For instance, a strong hurricane can produce extremely low barometric pressure, which in turn can produce labor (even prematurely). Being caught in a situation where the baby might be born without access to emergency services, the hospital, or even electricity is certainly not the safest option--especially if there are birth complications. So what is a mom to do if she needs to evacuate for emergency reasons, especially if her due date is looming?
  • Get access to your medical records. Most hospitals and care providers now provide remote access to records, virtually. Contact your provider and hospital to find out how to get access so that you can "take" your records with you wherever you go. Some hospitals are now part of a care network--meaning that if you go to another hospital elsewhere within that same network, the providers there would have immediate access to your records (i.e., the Ascension Network that Sacred Heart Hospital is now a member of). Call your hospital to find out if they have network partner facilities and where they are. 
  • Plan your destination. Go where you will have the most support if you do go into labor, and find out what your birthing options are where you're going in case labor does start while you're away. Calling facilities ahead and speaking to labor and delivery about your situation will help you get a feel for what it would look like if you walked in laboring without any prior care history there. (If you need help connecting to resources where you're heading, please contact us!)
  • Take your hospital bag, and supplies for a baby for 7 days. Packing for your baby seems to ward off the evil emergency spirits--hopefully you'll never need it, just like insurance! (Don't forget the car seat and sleeping arrangements for baby!)
  • Make sure that you have all your important documents--ID, birth certificate, social security card, insurance cards, and birth preferences with you to make any prenatal or birth care as seamless as possible.
  • Leave ahead of the crowd. Generally, the last 48 hours before a storm or fire requires mandatory evacuations is the worst time to leave. Deciding on evacuation sooner rather than later helps you avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic and reduces your stress levels. If nothing else, it just gives you more relaxation time!

If You Stay...
For some, staying put may be the only option. If you do, consider the following, with the understanding that emergency services and utilities may still be spotty or nonexistent for hours, days, or even weeks after a disaster. Most local government agencies recommend preparing just like you will be on a camping trip in a remote area for at least 72 hours, if not longer.
  • Check with your doctor or midwife to see if your birthplace offers a shelter of some kind for pregnant women and their families. One of our local facilities provides this for women who are 36+ weeks pregnant and planning to give birth there.
  • Having a well-stocked emergency kit is absolutely necessary. Overstock it if needed. Here is a great kit list!
  • Water. Pregnant women need more water than the average joe, so stock up on more water than you ever thought you'd need. The usual recommendation is 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking, 1 gallon per person per day for hygienic needs and cooking. Definitely stock that much if not more! You can fill up your bathtubs and sinks as well and use that water for bathing, or for drinking if you boil it. The waterBoB is fantastic for this! Also consider filling empty milk jugs or soda bottles almost all the way full (leave some room for expansion) and filling all the empty spots in your freezer with them. This will extend how long your freezer remains cold and then the water in the bottles can be drunk when the ice thaws.
  • Food. This is somewhat obvious, but considering what to stock is even more important since a lack of electricity may impact how you will be able to prepare food. Having a grill and propane, sterno cans, or simply food that needs no preparation will make life easier.
  • Light. Stock up on batteries and flashlights, and consider getting solar powered lights (the garden variety) or solar powered hand-crank lanterns.
  • Emergency birth kit. Whether or not you ever need it, having an emergency birth kit could be invaluable in an emergency situation. Emergency birth kits can be purchased at www.preciousarrows.com.
  • Supplies for baby. Go ahead and have a few baby supplies on hand--just in case. This would include diapers, wipes, and even some premade formula in the event that baby is born and breastfeeding isn't going well for some reason--you would at least have something to fall back on! And remember that not all water, even bottled, is safe for formula prep, so having premade formula insures that it is sterile.
  • Radio. Keeping up to date with the weather when the electricity goes out is imperative. A hand-crank radio is a necessity for this.
  • Support. Don't sit a disaster out alone if you can avoid it! No matter who you are, pregnant or not, pairing up to ride out an emergency with someone else can be a literal life saver.

And always remember--don't be scared, just be prepared!!
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10 Comments
Metal Roofing Spanish Fort Al link
1/15/2022 08:58:40 am

And delivery about your situation will help you get a feel for what it would look like if you walked in laboring without any prior care history there. Thank you for taking the time to write a great post!

Reply
Daphne Al Roofing Companies link
1/16/2022 06:42:23 am

Using a risk matrix to evaluate all the potential emergencies your facility may face will give you a head start on many things, including being prepared to meet with management in support of any funding requests for emergency preparedness.

Reply
Braden Bills link
1/16/2023 08:12:47 am

My wife is pregnant, and we want to make sure that we're ready for anything. It makes sense that we would want to ensure that we plan things ahead of time just in case there's an emergency. It's definitely better to be safe than sorry.

Reply
Best Maternity Hospital link
2/5/2023 01:15:39 pm


Your blog really provides the best piece of information, Looking forward to reading more stuff like this. Also check <a href=”https://motherhospitals.in/ ”> Best Hospital For Normal Delivery | Mother Hospitals </a>

Reply
Adeel Siddiqui link
2/13/2023 03:30:05 am

An IVF treatment can be a blessing for many women struggling with fertility issues who dream of having children.

IVF can provide pregnant women with an extra layer of protection during natural disasters, such as hurricanes. Thanks to modern medical technology, couples may no longer have to worry about their chances of conceiving a baby and ensuring their safety during such events.

By accessing medical records remotely and planning ahead – like packing hospital bags, supplies for the baby, important documents and leaving 48 hours ahead of mandatory evacuations – these couples can remain stress-free in the face of emergency situations.

Furthermore, stocking up on water, food that needs no preparation, batteries & flashlights/solar-powered lights, an emergency birth kit, diapers & wipes plus premade formula just in case are all necessary steps that must be taken prior to evacuation or staying put during an emergency situation.

With the help of IVF treatments couples can enjoy their own family despite all odds coupled with a little extra preparation during natural disasters will make the journey even easier!

Reply
Sweet Parfaits link
5/9/2023 10:31:31 am

Great post thaank you

Reply
best hospital for normal delivery link
5/11/2023 11:23:36 pm

I came across your website while looking for the <ahref ="https://motherhospitals.in /"> best hospital for normal delivery </a>, and I must say, I was impressed by the services you offer. As an expectant mother myself, I understand the importance of finding a hospital that provides quality care and support during this special time.

Your website showcases a wide range of maternity services, including pre-natal care, delivery, and post-natal care. I particularly appreciate the emphasis on natural birthing techniques and the use of advanced technology to ensure a safe and comfortable delivery experience.

I would love to hear more about your experiences with normal delivery and how you strive to make it a positive and empowering experience for mothers. Do you offer any special programs or classes to prepare mothers for delivery? I would be interested in learning more about these.

Thank you for your commitment to providing quality healthcare to mothers and babies. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Reply
Maternity Hospital link
6/13/2023 01:30:09 pm

Pregnant women and parents of small children need to be prepared for emergencies like hurricanes. Evacuation is crucial, and it's important to have access to medical records, plan a destination with birthing options, and pack essential supplies. If staying put, check if a shelter for pregnant women is available and have a well-stocked emergency kit with ample water, food, light sources, an emergency birth kit, baby supplies, a radio, and seek support from others. Being prepared and taking necessary precautions can ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and baby during emergencies.

Reply
Eli Richardson link
8/30/2023 04:14:42 pm

Last week, my wife found out that she's pregnant, and we're very excited and frightened about the news. We have a bunch of different questions, and we want to be ready to face any situation that we'd experience, so we're looking for an OBGYN to help us. In the meantime, we'll prepare an emergency bag in case of a disaster.

Reply
zoihospitals link
9/26/2024 10:00:23 pm

Find the best knee replacement hospital in Hyderabad at Zoi Hospitals. Trusted surgeons offering advanced knee replacement procedures for improved mobility."

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  • Hello
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