Disaster Preparedness During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Pregnant women and families with babies can benefit from taking additional safety measures during this time. Severe weather, power outages, flooding and evacuations can happen with little warning, so taking time to prepare now can help protect your health and your family's safety during an emergency. 

Prepare Now

Create a Family Emergency Plan 

Create a family emergency plan and make sure everyone knows it. Include these topics in your plan: 

• How family members will contact one another if you are separated (use this Family Emergency Communication Plan to ensure your family members have each other’s contact information) 
• Where you would meet if you must leave your home 
• A list of where you could go if you had to evacuate 

The CDC’s webpage Prepare Your Health offers more tips. 

Gather Important Information 

Have electronic and/or paper copies (in a waterproof container) of important documents:  

• Prenatal, postpartum or infant medical records 
• Health insurance information 
• Contact information for your health care providers 
• A list of medications, allergies and medical conditions 
• Emergency contact information 

Plan for Feeding Your Baby 

If you are pregnant and deciding how you will feed your baby, consider breastfeeding. Your breast milk is the best food for your baby, and it’s often the easiest option in a disaster. Breastfeeding provides a safe, readily available source of nutrition for your baby. 

If you store expressed breast milk in a freezer, plan how you will keep that milk frozen if you experience a power outage. 

What to Do When a Hurricane or Disaster is Expected

• Follow local emergency alerts and weather updates. 
• Charge phones, medical devices and backup batteries. 
• Fill prescriptions and collect any medical supplies you need. 
• Know the fastest route to your hospital or evacuation destination. 
• Think about other hospitals or birth centers where you could receive care if you could not reach Texas Children's Pavilion for Women. 
• Keep your hospital bag, medical records and baby supplies ready to go. 
• Contact your health care provider if you have questions about your care plan. 

During and After a Disaster

If you must evacuate before a disaster or leave your damaged home after a disaster, be sure those who are giving you shelter know you are pregnant, had a baby recently or have an infant with you.  

Pregnant and early postpartum people should stay cool, rest often, drink plenty of clean water and eat throughout the day.  

Contact your medical provider or go to the nearest hospital if you experience: 

• Pre-term labor (before 37 weeks) 
• Labor  
• An increase in vaginal mucus or bleeding 
• Your water breaks or you are leaking vaginal fluid  
• Your baby is moving less than normal 
• A very bad headache  
• Vision changes such as blurred vision, flashing lights or spots 
• Severe swelling of the face or hands 
• Severe abdominal pain 
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher 
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

As soon as it is safe to do so, resume your prenatal or postpartum care visits and keep your baby’s normal doctor visits. If necessary, figure out how to get care while you are away from home. 

Emergency Contacts

Keep these numbers saved in your phone and written down in case no cell service is available: 

• Your obstetric provider 
• Your baby's pediatrician 
• Your hospital or birth center 
• Emergency contact person 
• Local emergency management services 

More information 

Disaster Safety for Expecting and New Parents – Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 

Disaster Preparedness – March of Dimes