(Chico, CA | June 25, 2008)  March of Dimes urges pregnant women and families with young infants to take special precautions as fires burn throughout Northern California. 

            “Expectant mothers and babies are at increased risk during disasters and we are doing all we can to provide information to help keep moms and babies healthy,” said Dani Montague, State Director of the March of Dimes California Chapter. “The entire country learned hard lessons from Hurricane Katrina.”

            City and County officials have urged pregnant women and babies to stay indoors or wear protective masks to avoid inhaling smoke and pollutants. For families who must leave home for the safety of an emergency shelter, March of Dimes provides the following guidelines to help protect the health of expectant mothers and infants:

Special information for Pregnant Women:

Bring copies of medical records, including prenatal medical records and contact information for your health care provider
Immediately notify shelter of your pregnancy and get information about the location of hospitals in the area
Ensure you have plenty of water and high-protein snacks
Bring with you any medications, including prenatal vitamins and prescriptions
Do all you can to reduce stress – stress is a major factor in preterm labor
Learn the signs of preterm labor and contact shelter officials immediately if you experience any of the following:
Contractions every 10 minutes or more
Leaking vaginal fluid or bleeding
Feeling that baby is pushing down
Low, dull backache
Abdominal cramps
 

Special information for Families with Infants:

Bring copies of baby’s medical records and contact information for health care providers
Pack a large supply of diapers (approximately 70 diapers per week for newborns)
Bring plenty of ready-to-serve formula – never use water treated with iodine or chlorine tablets to prepare powdered formula
Shelters can be loud, bring pacifiers and any other items that may soothe baby
Stress can affect a woman’s milk supply if breastfeeding. Even if breastfeeding, have on-hand ready-to-serve formula
 

For more information about caring for pregnant women and babies during disaster, visit marchofdimes.com/ca. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/facts.asp has more information about safety during wildfires.

The needs of a pregnant woman and babies during a disaster are unique. March of Dimes urges families to follow any evacuation and preparation instructions given by local state agencies. For questions about the health effects of the disaster, please talk with a health care professional.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies sm, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

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