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Natural
Disasters and Special Populations |
Staying safe after the storm
If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, here are a few
important questions and answers to help protect you and your baby
after a hurricane or other major storm.
Infections
What is an infection?
An infection is caused by germs. Germs can make you sick. Living in
crowded spaces close to other people or near dirty water can make it
more likely that you pick up germs that can |
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make you sick. There are some things you can do to keep from getting
sick.
IIf you have any signs that you might
be sick, like diarrhea, rash, fever, cough, or anything unusual, talk to
a doctor or nurse right away.
What happens if I do get sick?
Will it hurt my unborn baby?
If you do get sick, talk to a doctor or nurse right away. Tell the
doctor or nurse you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Some
infections might harm your growing baby. The sooner you get the care you
need, the better. While you are sick, drink plenty of clean water and
follow the doctor’s or nurse’s advice. Drinking lots of water or other
fluids and resting as much as possible are very important for all
pregnant women, especially when they are sick.
For more information about whether or not an infection might harm your
baby, call toll free 1-866-626-6847.
Medications
I am pregnant. Is it okay to
take any medicine I need?
Some medicines are not good for women to take when they are pregnant,
but others are okay. Before you start taking any medicines, even ones
that you can buy at the store, talk with a doctor or nurse first. Make
sure to tell the doctor or nurse that you are pregnant or might be
pregnant. Let the doctor or nurse know if you have any health problems
that you were taking medicine for before the storm. If you are already
taking medicine, talk to a doctor or nurse before stopping the medicine.
I lost my medicine. Will it hurt
my baby if I don’t take my medicine?
For some medical problems, it is very important that pregnant women keep
taking the medicines they need. Tell a doctor or nurse about the
medicines you were taking before the storm, and be sure to let the
doctor or nurse know that you are pregnant.
I think I might be pregnant and
need to take medicine for a health problem. Do I need to tell someone
first?
Before you take any medicines, even ones that you can buy at the store,
talk to a doctor or nurse about them. Make sure to tell the doctor or
nurse that you might be pregnant. Some medicines are not good for women
to take when they are pregnant, but others are okay. Let the doctor or
nurse know if you have any health problems that you were taking medicine
for before the storm. If you are already taking medicine, talk to a
doctor or nurse before stopping the medicine.
For more information about which medicines are okay to take during
pregnancy, call toll free 1-866-626-6847.
Immunizations
What are immunizations?
Immunizations help protect the body from certain kinds of infections.
Immunizations are also called vaccinations or shots. Immunizations make
it less likely that you get sick from some kinds of infections like the
flu.
Do I need special immunizations
because of the disaster?
The fact that you lived through the storm or had to leave your home
because of the storm does not mean that you will get an infection. But,
living in crowded spaces close to other people or near dirty water can
make it more likely that you pick up germs that can make you sick. Some
people might need to have a vaccine to prevent some of these infections,
and others might not. It is best to talk with a doctor or nurse to find
out if you need a vaccine. Be sure to let the doctor or nurse know if
you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
If I am pregnant, can an
immunization hurt my baby?
Many immunizations are safe for you and your baby, but there are some
that might not be safe. If you are pregnant or think you might be
pregnant, tell the doctor or nurse before you get any immunizations.
For more information about which immunizations are safe during
pregnancy, call toll free 1-866-626-6847.
Environmental Exposures
I have been hearing about carbon
monoxide poisoning. Should I be worried about harm to my unborn baby?
Using generators, kerosene heaters, grills, or camp stoves indoors can
lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not use these machines in a closed
space. Always be sure that a window or door is open nearby. Carbon
monoxide is a gas with no color or smell. It is a poison for anyone,
whether you are pregnant or not. It can poison both you and your baby.
If you breathe it, it can make you feel like throwing up or feel very
tired. It can even kill you. If you are having problems and think you
may have breathed carbon monoxide, you should tell a doctor or nurse.
For more information about carbon monoxide and pregnancy, call toll free
1-866-626-6847.
What do I do if there is flood
water around me? I am worried that it will make me and my unborn baby
sick.
If possible, do not touch or walk in flood water. If you do touch the
water, make sure to use soap and clean water to wash the parts of your
body that came in contact with the water. Do not swallow any of the
flood water and be careful to keep it away from your mouth. If you feel
sick in any way, talk to a doctor or nurse right away. Remember to tell
the doctor or nurse that you are pregnant or think you might be
pregnant.
For more information about whether or not flood water can make you or
your unborn baby sick, call toll free 1-866-626-6847.
I have heard that mosquito bites
can make me sick and cause problems for my pregnancy. What can I do to
protect myself and my baby?
Getting mosquito bites can make it
more likely that you get sick with certain infections, such as West
Nile virus. There are some things you can do to keep from getting
mosquito bites.
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Stay inside during early morning and
early evening hours. This is when mosquitoes are most active.
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If you are outside, wear long sleeves
and long pants when possible.
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Mosquito repellents containing DEET
are good at preventing mosquito bites. It’s better to put the spray
mostly on your clothes. If you need to put it on your skin, use
small amounts on the areas that are not covered by clothing.
For more information about using
mosquito repellents during pregnancy, please see
http://otispregnancy.org/pdf/DEET.pdf or call toll free
1-866-626-6847.
Stress and Coping
I have been under a lot of
stress since the hurricane. Can stress hurt me and my baby?
It is common to feel stress after living through something like a
hurricane. Being aware of your feelings is important.
Stress can:
Most of the time, these feelings go
away in a short time. Sometimes these feelings don’t go away. It is
important for both you and your baby that you choose healthy ways to
deal with your stress. If you are worried about stress and want to know
how to cope with the stress you are feeling, talk to a doctor, nurse, or
counselor.
What are some ways I can cope
with the stress I am feeling?
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Understand that the stress you are
feeling is normal.
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Get plenty of rest — it is important
for you and your baby.
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Do your best to eat healthy foods and
drink lots of clean water.
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Find healthy ways to relax. Taking
just a few minutes a couple times during the day to close your eyes in
a quiet place can help. Reading, listening to music, or writing in a
journal can also help you to relax.
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Avoid the urge to drink alcohol,
smoke, or take drugs as ways of coping with stress.
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Talk to friends, family members, or
clergy for comfort and share your experiences and feelings with them.
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If you feel your friends or family
can’t help, talk to a counselor, doctor, or nurse right away.
For more information about stress and
pregnancy, please see
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_527.asp
or call toll free 1-866-626-6847
For general information about disasters and pregnancy, please see
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_21889.asp
Date:
July 10, 2007
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
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