Emergency Preparedness While Pregnant

By Tyra Baird

Congratulations you’re pregnant! (Hopefully you still feel excited after the morning sickness and exhaustion. Its worth it I promise, I’m on number 5). As if you didn’t have enough to prepare for on the home front with cribs, clothes, diapers, etc; you now have to think about how to prepare for an emergency. Don’t panic! There’s really just a few simply things to add or rotate in your emergency plans and than you have one less thing to worry about. Preparing for an emergency while pregnant is as simple and easy as 1, 2, 3.

Emergency Planning and Pregnancy

Always start with your family emergency plan. Now that you’re expecting you have another emergency to add to your plans – child birth. So include your birth plan as soon as you have one on paper. Also add hospital routes and maps to your emergency plans and binder. Be sure to have an alternate route and hospital marked as well. Its important to designate a good friend or family member that lives close by that can come help in a disaster. On-call help is important since you may be unable to pick up anything including a child.  Update your helper of any changes in conditions (bed rest, c-section, etc) and be sure they have a copy of your emergency plans also. This person needs to know that they are not to wait for a phone call for help in a disaster, but simple to come as quickly as possible after one has occurred. Add your baby to your emergency plans now rather than later. Who is responsible for grabbing the baby when evacuating, where will the baby be sleeping, and what exit routes are available for that location (and how do we get to the baby of the route through the house is blocked)? These are all things that are best to answer now while you’re still preparing your home for your little pumpkin.

Since labor is an emergency event prepare for that accordingly as well. Have your hospital bag packed by the beginning of your 3^rd trimester. Also line up your babysitters and any rides you may need at that time as well. Practice labor techniques and take a birthing class sometime in your 2^nd trimester as well, since labor never comes at a convenient time. Lastly, get to know your neighborhood midwives – if there is a disaster they may be able to get to you faster than most emergency personal and faster than you can get to a hospital.

Putting It All Together

Be sure to include your spouse and children in your preparations. Your spouse should be an active participant in creating your birth plan as well, since he will be one of your advocates and you may be unable to communicate. Besides its his birth too, even if he doesn’t do most of the “work,” he would take over that for you if he could. Have your children help you choose babysitters, and help in making a plan for when you go into labor. What they can do, where they will go, how they can help you. Having mom go into labor and suddenly every thing goes crazy can make children very nervous and scared. Having them aware of what’s happening and that its all a natural process will calm their fears and help them to feel excited about the new baby. All these things will help them be more mindful of your family’s emergency plan, but also give them a sense of security and safety, during and after the disaster as well as when you go into labor.

72 hour kits and Pregnancy

Now that you have your emergency plans updated it’s time to start at the basics – your 72 hour kit. So if you haven’t started your kits yet, now is the time to start (click here for more information on basic DIY 72 hour kits). If your kits are already to go that we’ll have you ready for the next 9-10 months in a jiffy.

The first thing to consider is mobility. Remember that you aren’t going to be able to carry as much weight (or at least its not considered safe) so you may want to consider changing what you pack your kit(s) in. I would recommend the suitcase, the only time you’d have to pick it up would be putting it in your car, which although its heavier than a back pack you’ll be lifting less frequently and for a smaller duration than trucking multiple backpacks to your car. The suitcase is also smaller and easier to move and lift than the tub, which is NOT going to be easy or safe while your pregnant. Safety is the first priority.

Like I said there’s only a few extra considerations and rotations that need to happen to update your kit for pregnancy, and delivery (yes you need to prepare for both).

Food

You are now eating for two so plan accordingly. The food your pack needs to be high in calcium and protein. It’s important to include fruits and veggies as well. Remember to pack for a high calorie diet. However if you haven’t noticed already you are eating with a different set of taste buds (or so it seems). Your stomach and nose are more sensitive to everything so going through your pack now to make sure you can handle eating what you have packed is important, along with being sure you can handle what every one else is eating from their packs since you’ll be in cramped conditions. If you suffer from morning sickness than include what you can to help alleviate your symptoms; add foods that will settle your stomach (mint & ginger tea, soda crackers, and mint gum). Also include unisom (an over the counter sleep aid that is recommended for morning sickness) or any other medication for morning sickness that is recommended by your doctor. Packing a Vitamin B Complex helps too. Don’t forget to pack for cravings! If possible – look for alternatives (watermelon flavored gum instead of the watermelon).  You’re going to need a list of approved medications and prenatal vitamins. This list is just as important since there is a lot of over the counter medications and pain killers that are off limits and it’s important to know what those are and when you can use them. I recommend keeping a copy of this list with your home and portable first aid kits as well. Lastly WATER! Pregnancy and nursing require a lot more water, as does formula feeding (not recommended in a disaster but always best to be prepared). Therefore double the drinking water in your kit for you.

Clothes

You may be able to fit into the clothes in your closet or kit right now, but I guarantee that will be short lived. Maternity clothes are an essential update for your kit. I would recommend packing a size too big, so it should last throughout the entire pregnancy, along with any swelling that could be caused by traveling. Just like packing for kids, you may want to include 2-3 outfits extra, as bladder control decreases as baby gets bigger (if you’ve had multiple children you know what I mean) and in case your water breaks. Extra underwear and feminine napkins will be a must after your baby comes, so include these as well.

Other Considerations

• —Include a copy of your medical records and all medical contact information
• Be prepared for delivery – stress can do a number on the body and can cause early delivery. My midwife always warned me that storms and full moons mean an increase in deliveries. Besides it may be a while before emergency personal can reach you or due to triage you could get delayed for help.
• Nursing bra and nursing pads, along with feminine supplies
• Birth control – sounds crazy as I’m sure you’re thinking that a new baby, and a disaster are going to kill your libido, but surprises happen. Nursing is not a form of birth control and it’s better to be prepared than surprised by an unplanned pregnancy.

Emergency birthing kit – add this to your stash at the beginning of the third trimester (at the latest). I recommend having 2 one for your home and one for your car (its far more likely that you will deliver there than in a disaster. you can download a complete guide to emergency child birth including instructions for making an emergency birthing kit. I would think about adding an extra shower curtain and a paper tape measure so you can measure your little bundle of joy. You can also order a ready made emergency birthing kit online (just be sure its for emergency birthing and not home birthing which is on purpose). If you have friends or family that are all expecting at different times – consider working together to put one together and pass between each other at the 3^rd trimesters.

Infants

If you are preparing now for delivery then it’s important to prepare now for baby. If you’re using the suitcase method we discussed above than you’ll have plenty of room for baby’s kit, and more diapers.

Here’s a basic 72 hour kit guide for infants (newborns):

• 96 ozof water (can cover a baby drinking up to32 oza day)
• formula –POWDERED ONLY – be sure you have at least 48 scoops worth
• 2-5 bottles and nipples (the more you have the less you have to boil and wash them)
• a pack of newborn (N) diapers That should last you about a week)
• 2 packs (72 count) of Diaper wipes – they can be used for cleaning as well as diaper changes
• 5 onsies premie/0-3 month sizes
• 5 footie pajamas premie/0-3 month sizes
• 6-10 pairs of socks – they can double as mittens for keeping hands warm too
• 2-3 pairs of pants
• burp rags, or smaller blanket (my kids were talented puckers and a burp rag was never big enough
• 2 emergency blankets they retain more heat and can be used outside of the more comfortable receiving blanket
• hand warmers
• Thermos (acts like a mini fridge or can keep formula warmer longer)
• a couple rolls of toilet paper
• teething tablets or gel (for older infants you can add this latter)
• pedialyte or singles equivalent
• 1-2 boxes of nursing pads (if disposable, reusable will require laundry and bleach daily)
• sunblock
• hand sanitizer
• baby carrier/sling (THIS IS A MUST)
• Baby wash and lotion
• tissues
• 2 pacifiers (even if you don’t plan on using them pack them desperation may change your mind and nipple confusion is more likely to happen if they pacifier is introduced later)
• infant Tylenol
• bulb syringe
• baby powder
• diaper rash cream
• 2-3 receiving blankets
• ziplock baggies (gallon size) for stashing dirty clothes and diapers
• If you haven’t nursed before than pack a nursing guide from the la leche league
• Consider packing a small camp stove for boiling water for sanitizing

An infant kit should be added at the beginning of the first trimester, but no later than the beginning of the third trimester. Be prepare to breastfeed, even if this isn’t your first choice – this is the safest food for your baby in a disaster. Even if using bottled water and washing and boiling, nothing beats the built in sanitation of breastfeeding, not to mention the antibodies that are passed to the infant during breastfeeding that will be invaluable in disaster situations.

• Even if you aren’t planning on breastfeeding take a class and be prepared so you have an understanding if you need to breastfeed.
  • A mother can re-lactate even months after birth. It takes some more work but is possible- success is more likely the younger the infant is.
    • To re-lactate (not a guarantee but possible)
      • Frequent skin to skin contact (every 2 hours) with sucking
      • Gradual increase in supply is expected
      • You’ll need lots of extra support and encouragement
  • Not only does it help your baby but it also releases a hormone reducing maternal stress, and anxiety. Besides it gives you an excuse to rest and relax while you feed the baby (or escape into a good book)
  • Pack for soreness – lanolin and soothies or gel packs
  • Extra water and calories for mom (nursing requires more than pregnancy)
  • http://bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/BD58DB77-BFB3-43F1-B34F-DB5BE9129420/0/InfantNutritionDisaster.pdf
• Still pack water and formula (powdered) – liquid formula requires refrigeration once opened.
• Have a baby carrier, wrap, or snuggly – an infant reacts to trauma as well and will have an increased need to be held, this also mimics the womb for a newborn and is very comforting all while leaving you with 2 hands free. Think Sacagawea!

Food Storage and Pregnancy

Once again updating your food storage for your little bun in the oven is as simple as making a few changes. Here are some things to consider adding to your food storage.

• nausea relief foods- ginger and mint tea, soda crackers
• extra water (increase water again for breastfeeding and formula needs)
• Store highly craved foods when possible, your husband will appreciate not having to run to the store every time you “need” something.
• Begin storing for baby while pregnant
  • Diapers, formula, wipes, nursing pads
  • It also prepares your budget for another person
• Prenatal vitamins and b-vitamins (help with nausea as does Unisom)
  • Zinc and magnesium can help with post-partum depression and baby blues

Unlike in your 72 hour kit I wouldn’t worry about removing items that you suddenly can’t stand any more. Chances are after the baby comes they will be just as delicious if not more so from the absence. If they are going to expire before your baby comes, consider giving them away or having your husband eat them while you’re out of the house (and do the clean up on it as well).

You are now set for baby and disaster. Take a deep breathe, put your feet up, and relax. You can tackle the rest of your baby to-do list tomorrow.

Other Resources

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/pregnantfactsheet.asp

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/MaternalInfantHealth/PregnancywildFires.htm

http://womenshealth.gov/emergency-preparedness/make-a-plan/ Insludes considerations for making an emergency plan for pregnancy and special needs.