We are in the midst of hurricane season, and we are still in a pandemic. For pregnant women and families with small children, it’s important to take extra steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly, whether you are evacuating or staying. This can be a scary situation but preparing now can spare you from unnecessary worries during a power outage, an evacuation or storm recovery.

To help prevent any stress that may occur down the road, try these helpful tips so you can have an evacuation plan already in place.

What expecting moms should know to be prepared

1. Create a family communication action plan so everyone is clear about what needs to take place before and during evacuation.

2. Create a birth plan. It is highly recommended to plan an alternate birth location in the event of road problems or evacuation, especially if it’s close to your delivery date or if you are considered high-risk. Communicate with your doctor’s office to let them know where you will be and discuss whether it is safe for you to leave prior to the storm. Also, you should make sure that your physician has a current phone number from you.

3. Create an evacuation checklist. Your checklist should include the following items:

• A copy of your prenatal care record and immunizations.
• Two weeks’ worth of medications, including prenatal vitamins and prescriptions 
• Phone numbers and locations for local obstetricians and midwives in the event you cannot reach your regular provider during evacuation.
• Your birth bag. In addition to the normal items, be sure to also pack a mask for you and anyone else in your family that you are evacuating with.
• Be sure to include your breast pump if you plan on breastfeeding.

If you know your evacuation location, go to www.acog.org to find an OB/GYN in your state and country.

4. We are also still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are evacuating, it is important to contact the local hospital where you plan to evacuate to and ask questions on how they are handling COVID-19. Some questions should include:

• How are they handling/testing for COVID-19?
• What safety measures do they have in place? Are they doing temperature checks, what are their masking policies, etc.
• What is the visitor policy? Depending on the policy, if you are evacuating with your entire family or if you plan to stay in town and have other children with you, it is important that you have the appropriate childcare in place. 

5. If you seek help at a shelter, immediately notify them of your pregnancy and get information about the location of hospitals in the area.

6. Floodwaters after a storm may carry all forms of infectious agents and toxic chemicals, which can harm both you and baby. If you are in a flood-prone area, it’s a good idea to evacuate so you can avoid being put in such a situation.

Learn the signs of preterm labor

Hurricanes do not directly cause labor to happen. Labor is expected anytime between 37 and 42 weeks and should be planned for accordingly. However, stress is a major factor in preterm labor, but early preparation and planning can help reduce stress levels.

If you experience any of these signs, please contact help as soon as possible.

• Contractions every 10 minutes or more
• Leaking vaginal fluid or bleeding
• Feeling that baby is pushing down
• Low, dull backache
  
• Abdominal cramps

Tips for feeding your family

1. Create a food hurricane kit for your entire family that can either be used at home or during a car ride to safer ground.

2. If you are pregnant, make sure you have enough high-protein snacks and clean water to drink to prevent dehydration. Also, try to maintain a healthy diet during and after the storm.

3. For babies less than six months old, breast milk is recommended when possible. It’s always available and sterile. To maintain breastmilk during an evacuation, remember to pack a battery-operated quality pump or hand pump, clean storage bottles or bags and a method of freezing or cold storage. Talk to your doctor or schedule time with a lactation consultant if you have difficulty breast feeding.

4. Pumped milk will last about eight days refrigerated; previously frozen milk will last about 24 hours in the fridge. Pack at least three full days and nights worth of pre-washed bottles, nipples and formula.