Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County
  • ABOUT
    • Mission & History
    • Our Team
    • Volunteer Executive Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Client Success Stories
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • PROGRAMS
    • Healthy Start
    • Connect
    • Save My Life
    • MomCare
    • Fetal & Infant Mortality Review
  • COMMUNITY ACTION
    • Addiction Support and Pregnancy (ASAP)
    • Breastfeeding Advocates of Sarasota County
    • Breastfeeding Friendly Sarasota Project
    • Breastfeeding Peer Counselors
    • Clean Start
    • IMPLICIT: Interconception Care Model for Vulnerable Populations in Sarasota County
    • Pump Up Sarasota
    • Safe Sleep Sarasota Initiative
    • Substance Exposed Newborn Prevention & Protection
  • FOR MOMS
    • Can Healthy Start Help You?
    • Breastfeeding Support & Resources
    • Clean Start – Protecting Your Baby from Drugs and Alcohol
    • Family Planning
    • Getting Healthy Before You Get Pregnant
    • Help to Quit Smoking
    • Hurricane & Disaster Preparedness
    • Safe Sleep for Your Baby
    • Text4Baby
    • Think 39 Weeks!
    • Zika and Pregnancy
  • FOR PROVIDERS
    • Prenatal Risk Screen
    • Infant Risk Screen
    • Provider Education & Resources
    • Your Community Liaison
  • EVENTS
    • Sarasota Drive-by Baby Shower
    • Fifth Annual Regional Summit 2023
    • Past Events
      • An Evening for Healthy Start 2023
        13th Annual Fundraiser
      • 2022 Breakfast of Champions
      • Run Baby Run! 5k
      • An Evening for Healthy Start 2022
      • Fourth Annual Regional Summit 2022
      • Free Virtual Webinar: Multiple Layers of COVID-19 From Birth to Grief
      • 2021 Parenting Series
        • 2021 Parenting Series – The Sleepy Tot
        • 2021 Parenting Series – COVID 19 Vaccination
        • 2021 Parenting Series – HypnoBirthing
        • 2021 Parenting Series – Resilient Retreat
        • 2021 Parenting Series – Potty Training
        • 2021 Parenting Series – Sound Beginnings
        • 2021 Parenting Series – Childhood Stress
      • 2020 Regional Summit Lunch and Learn Series
      • An Evening for Healthy Start 2020
      • “Giving Sarasota a Healthy Start” Luncheon 2020
      • North Port Community Baby Shower & Preschool Expo
      • Sarasota Community Baby Shower
      • SECOND REGIONAL SUMMIT: Substance Use Disorder in the Pregnant Patient and Substance Exposed Neonate
      • (Virtual) Breakfast of Champions 2020
  • DONATE
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Wishlist
    • Amazon Smile
    • Goodshop
  • ABOUT
    • Mission & History
    • Our Team
    • Volunteer Executive Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Client Success Stories
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • PROGRAMS
    • Healthy Start
    • Connect
    • Save My Life
    • MomCare
    • Fetal & Infant Mortality Review
  • COMMUNITY ACTION
    • Addiction Support and Pregnancy (ASAP)
    • Breastfeeding Advocates of Sarasota County
    • Breastfeeding Friendly Sarasota Project
    • Breastfeeding Peer Counselors
    • Clean Start
    • IMPLICIT: Interconception Care Model for Vulnerable Populations in Sarasota County
    • Pump Up Sarasota
    • Safe Sleep Sarasota Initiative
    • Substance Exposed Newborn Prevention & Protection
  • FOR MOMS
    • Can Healthy Start Help You?
    • Breastfeeding Support & Resources
    • Clean Start – Protecting Your Baby from Drugs and Alcohol
    • Family Planning
    • Getting Healthy Before You Get Pregnant
    • Help to Quit Smoking
    • Hurricane & Disaster Preparedness
    • Safe Sleep for Your Baby
    • Text4Baby
    • Think 39 Weeks!
    • Zika and Pregnancy
  • FOR PROVIDERS
    • Prenatal Risk Screen
    • Infant Risk Screen
    • Provider Education & Resources
    • Your Community Liaison
  • EVENTS
    • Sarasota Drive-by Baby Shower
    • Fifth Annual Regional Summit 2023
    • Past Events
      • An Evening for Healthy Start 2023
        13th Annual Fundraiser
      • 2022 Breakfast of Champions
      • Run Baby Run! 5k
      • An Evening for Healthy Start 2022
      • Fourth Annual Regional Summit 2022
      • Free Virtual Webinar: Multiple Layers of COVID-19 From Birth to Grief
      • 2021 Parenting Series
        • 2021 Parenting Series – The Sleepy Tot
        • 2021 Parenting Series – COVID 19 Vaccination
        • 2021 Parenting Series – HypnoBirthing
        • 2021 Parenting Series – Resilient Retreat
        • 2021 Parenting Series – Potty Training
        • 2021 Parenting Series – Sound Beginnings
        • 2021 Parenting Series – Childhood Stress
      • 2020 Regional Summit Lunch and Learn Series
      • An Evening for Healthy Start 2020
      • “Giving Sarasota a Healthy Start” Luncheon 2020
      • North Port Community Baby Shower & Preschool Expo
      • Sarasota Community Baby Shower
      • SECOND REGIONAL SUMMIT: Substance Use Disorder in the Pregnant Patient and Substance Exposed Neonate
      • (Virtual) Breakfast of Champions 2020
  • DONATE
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Wishlist
    • Amazon Smile
    • Goodshop

Hurricane Season-What You Should Know If You Are Pregnant

Hurricane

A hurricane is approaching. Hurricane season is here and can be a very stressful time for all Floridians, but especially for pregnant women. To help reduce your stress, and aid in preparation for a hurricane, here is a list of helpful suggestions and references. The more prepared you are the more comfortable, less stressed and safe you will be.

Before the Hurricane

Medications:

  • Prepare a current list of all prescriptions and prenatal
    vitamins you are taking and put it and the pills in a sealable plastic bag to
    keep them dry and in a secure place among the belongings you plan to
    take with you if you leave home.
  • Bring at least a two week supply of all medications with you if you choose
    to relocate (mom’s) or go to a shelter during a storm.
    Sarasota Memorial Hospital is NOT a shelter.
  • When possible, always bring medications in their original prescription
    bottle. In an emergency this makes it easier to refill.
  • Make sure you have an additional supply of equipment needed to
    administer medications. For example, if you are diabetic bring your insulin,
    testing equipment, sheet to record results and supplies; while those with
    asthma may need a nebulizer.

Call your Health Care Team:

Communicate to let them know where you will be; if you plan to leave town take a copy of your medical records.

Make sure they a current telephone number of where you will be staying.

If you had or are having complications in your pregnancy, check to discuss whether it is safe for you to leave prior to the storm or if it would be better for you to go to the hospital or a shelter during the storm.

If you have a chronic medical condition or pregnancy related complication and decide to leave town, it will be extremely important to bring your current medications, your recently updated medical record information, and the name and telephone number of your health care provider to assure proper treatment should you need it. Ask your provider for advice on care where you are headed.

If you choose to go to a shelter you will need to bring a few personal items, but remember space is usually limited. Check in advance to see who may come with you and which supplies you will need to bring. Communicate with your doctor on where you should or are going.

Healthy Start:

If you are part of Healthy Start, or have another case manager, let your care coordinator know where you are going. If you decide to leave town, provide a telephone number where you will be staying. If you are planning to go to a hospital or shelter, then let the care coordinator know where you will plan to go. Remember to bring your prenatal vitamins, medications, and any medical supplies or equipment.

If you go to a general shelter during the storm:

  • Do not go to the shelter until you know that they are accepting people. Call the shelter or emergency management in advance to verify that you can take shelter there; if you go, please follow the directions for that shelter.
  • Ask the shelter if you should bring food and water. They may recommend that you bring bottled water, non-perishable snacks, and/or money to buy food.
  • Bring all medications that you are taking as well as your prenatal vitamins.
  • Bring the following items unless the hospital or shelter facility gives you other directions: Blanket, pillow, sleeping bag, and any toiletries, flashlight,
    batteries, something to help pass the time, any additional items the hospital or shelter recommend that you to bring.

During the Hurricane

We all get concerned but rest and don’t stress out or be scared! Easier said than done.

There is NO evidence that the hurricane complicates or hurts your pregnancy or the baby.

If you feel you are having a complication, call the hospital or your health provider.

DON’T JUST GO TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM PLEASE!

Hunker down with family and/or friends.

After the Hurricane:

Once the hurricane has passed, there will be a period of cleanup and recovery. This is the time when you must be very careful not to become dehydrated and/or over-tired. Dehydration can be a contributing factor to premature labor.

To prevent dehydration and exhaustion:

  • Drink plenty of water or beverages that do not contain alcohol or caffeine.
  • Take a cool shower or sponge bath and try to stay in the shade or an air conditioned area if possible.
  • If you have to be outside in the heat, bring water and an umbrella to provide shade.

Do not lift heavy objects.

Be sure you do not over tire yourself, take frequent rests.

Try to eat a healthy diet as soon as possible.

Keep your next and all your doctor appointments if you can do that safely or call the office.

If you are concerned about the condition of your baby or yourself call your health care provider or OB emergency room immediately.


Adapted from the Florida Department of Health recommendations

For additional excellent Sarasota Memorial Hospital helpful information visit
https://www.smh.com/blog/hurricane-season-tips-for-pregnant-women

You got this!

Washington Hill, M.D., a member of the Gulf Coast Medical Society, a
Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist with CenterPlace Health and Sarasota
Memorial Hospital has been an obstetrician-gynecologist for 55 years,
almost 30 in Sarasota, Florida during hurricane season all within the
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System. He can be reached at
[email protected]

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About

“Our Mission is to Improve the Health and Well-being of Pregnant Women, Infants, and Young Children in Sarasota County.”

WHO WE ARE

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WHAT WE DO

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OUR MISSION

“Our Mission is to Improve the Health and Well-being of Pregnant Women, Infants, and Young Children in Sarasota County.”

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© 2017 The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc. Designed by Ciera Coleman. Photography by Peter Acker.