Hurricane season is upon us, and pregnant women should take extra precautions to ensure their health and safety during a storm.

While making an emergency plan and knowing what to pack are great steps to being prepared, there are some simple tips to follow.

• Plan an alternate birth location in case of evacuation or problems with road travel.
• Have phone numbers and locations of local obstetricians in case you cannot reach your regular health care provider.
• If you choose to evacuate, have a paper copy of all medical documents, including prenatal care, immunizations and medications.
• Should you evacuate or go to a shelter, immediately notify necessary personnel that you are pregnant and gather information regarding local hospitals in the area.
• Take action to reduce stress, which is a major factor in preterm labor. By planning and preparing early, you can help reduce unnecessary stress.
• Create a family communication plan so everyone knows what needs to be done before, during and after the storm.

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