Do hurricanes induce labor in pregnant women?

As if hurricanes aren’t stressful enough, it seems the last thing you’d want to do is sleep under a desk in a crowded hospital to wait out the storm.

That’s what my very pregnant friend had to do as Hurricane Wilma bore down on South Florida in 2005. Doctor’s orders. (The hospital; not the sleep-under-the-desk part.)

I am now in my 34th week of pregnancy, at the height of hurricane season. South Florida dodged a Category 4 bullet this week with Hurricane Bill. But it got me thinking. (It doesn’t take much; I thrive on worrying.) Why and when do pregnant women become a concern during a hurricane?

There is widespread debate about whether a rapid and steep drop in barometric pressure -- the weight of the atmosphere pushing on the surface of the Earth -- can induce labor in women who are at or near term. The lower the barometric pressure, the more intense the storm. And, according to several local hospital accounts in past years, the higher the number of deliveries. Broward General Medical Center received 17 babies in a 24-hour period during Hurricane Frances. Holy Cross Hospital delivered 21 babies in one day.

Official studies are inconclusive. But, in my humble arm-chair estimation, I can see how there’d be some kind of effect with such a dramatic change in pressure. Right now, I feel like I’m headed for the delivery room every time I stand up quickly after sitting down for a long period of time.

In any case, if you’re pregnant, here are some things to keep in mind before and immediately after a hurricane:

- Talk to your doctor well in advance about what precautions you should take. I called my doctor’s office this week, and they faxed me a notice from my hospital stating that pregnant women who are considered high risk or are within 1-2 weeks of their due dates are encouraged to sit out an approaching hurricane in the hospital lobby. The main concern is that you avoid having to travel during a storm if you go into labor. Hospitals usually don’t allow spouses and others to stay during a storm.

- Careful what you drink. Everyone needs to be mindful of boil-water advisories that tend to pop up following big storms. But pregnant women, in particular, are at greater risk of complications if they get sick, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Better just to stick with bottled water.

- Carbon monoxide poisoning. The CDC, in its advisory on hurricanes and pregnant women, warns moms-to-be of steering clear of generators, kerosene heaters or camp stoves indoors. Those pieces of equipment should not be used in a closed space. The colorless, odorless gas is toxic for anyone. And it can poison both you and your baby.

POSTED IN: Anne Vasquez (43)

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Comments

Congrats! And thanks for the info. I, too, am 34 weeks and was wondering what will happen if a storm heads our way. I'm dreading the idea of waiting it out in a hospital packed with other pregnant women but better safe than sorry. Let's hope no hurricanes this way for at least the next 6 weeks! Good luck with your pregnancy!!! :)

Posted by: Crystal | August 19, 2009 11:27 AM

There is lots of chatter among pregnant women these days about this issue. I posted on Facebook last night and immediately heard from three pregnant friends all worried about the same thing.

Posted by: Anne Vasquez | August 19, 2009 12:04 PM

I'd be interested to see why lower atmospheric pressure would result in more child deliveries since the weight of the atmosphere above someone is less when low pressure is nearby and more atmospheric mass is present with high pressure overhead or nearby. It kinda goes against reasoning.

Posted by: Amy | August 19, 2009 1:49 PM

Hello. I work with Broward Health and our two hospitals that deliver are Broward General Medical Center and Coral Springs Medical Center. I thought I would share with you some of our Hurricane info to help you prepare!

In the event of a hurricane warning, the Chris Evert Women’s Center at Broward General Medical Center and Coral Springs Medical Center will accept women who are 38 weeks or more pregnant or who have been identified as having a high risk pregnancy. Patients must be preregistered for delivery at one of these two places in order to be accepted during a hurricane.

You must consult your physician before coming to the hospital. Physicians are responsible for determining if it is appropriate for you to be housed at the hospital for the hurricane event.

Please call the hospital prior to coming to be sure the hospital is accepting patients. In an emergency situation, please consult your physician or call 911.

Please bring with you these items:
• Only one adult (besides yourself)
• All registration information
• Bedding (air mattress, sleeping bag, pillow)
• Water and food (for approximately four days)
• Change of clothing (for approximately four days)
• Toiletries
• Books and magazines for entertainment
• Any necessary medication
• Children and pets are not permitted

Again, you should check with your physician before coming to the hospital.

Hopefully, this will help you prepare. I can imagine how stressful it is to be worries about your home, family and your pregnancy during this hurricane season. Just be prepared!

We are very lucky - because we have a dedicated Emergency Preparedness department who makes sure we are all prepared for possible disasters and situations such as hurricanes. We also have Newborn Intensive Care Units at our hospitals that deliver and they are excellent and provide even more piece of mind when you are delivering your baby...knowing we have them here for you and your baby - should you need them. Good luck and I hope this helped with some of your concerns and questions.

Posted by: Sara Howley | August 20, 2009 8:22 AM