| March of Dimes urges pregnant women and families with young infants to take special precautions as flooding becomes eminent throughout North Dakota.
Health professionals urge pregnant women to follow evacuation orders from emergency management officials. Pregnant women living in flood prone zones who have not had to leave their homes should take this time to prepare themselves in the event flooding forces them to do so. For families who must leave home for the safety of an emergency shelter, or other alternate housing arrangements, 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:
o Contractions every 10 minutes or more
o Leaking vaginal fluid or bleeding
o Feeling that baby is pushing down
o Low, dull backache
o Abdominal cramps
Special information for Families with Infants:
Bring copies of babys 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 womans 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
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.
Prepare for Disaster: Special Information for families with Infants or Caring for a Newborn
www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/298_16943.asp
Prepare for Disaster: Special Information for Pregnant Women
www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_21889.asp
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