Pregnant women in disasters and emergencies

1. Pregnant Women in
Disasters And
Emergencies

2. What is a disaster ?
 AS per DM act , 2005 Disaster means a mishap , calamity or grave
occurrence affecting any area from natural or manmade causes , or
by accident , which results in substantial loss of life or human
suffering , destruction of property and degradation of environment.
 Magnitude of disaster is normally measured in terms of death ,
damage or cost incurred by community.

3. What is an emergency ?
 It is potentially life – threatning situation , usually occurring suddenly
and unexpectedly. The term emergency refers to any extraordinary
event or situation that requires an intense, rapid response
 Three phases :
 The Response phase, where activities such as search & rescue,
rapid damage and needs assessments, and the provision of first aid
are conducted.
 The Rehabilitation phase where basic services and lifelines are
restored, even on a temporary basis, including the road network and
other essential facilities including bridges, airports, ports and
helicopter landing sites.
 The Recovery phase efforts are conducted to reconstruct
infrastructure when needed and to restore the livelihoods of those
affected.

4. Women and disaster.
 Disasters are categorized in two ways: “natural” disasters, a term
that traditionally refers to earthquakes, cyclones, volcanic eruptions,
floods, landslides, and “man-made” disasters, which include wars,
riots, industrial and biological accidents, droughts, famines, and
epidemics.
 It is widely known and accepted that disasters affect women and
men differently. In addition to the general effects of natural disaster
and lack of health care, women are vulnerable to reproductive and
sexual health problems, and increased rates of sexual and domestic
violence.

5. Effects of disaster on pregnant
women
 Many pregnant women lose access to essential reproductive health
services and give birth in appalling conditions without access to safe
delivery services and lifesaving care. With limited access to medical
facilities, women face complications that can cause obstructed
labor, or even death. Their babies have increased chances of
developing respiratory complications and infections.
 There is a risk of infection after a natural disaster. Drinking
contaminated water is a risk for infection. Mosquitoes or other
insects are also a risk for infection. Pregnant women are more likely
to suffer both physical and mental health problems as compared to
the general population during and after disasters.

6. Preparing women to overcome
disaster
• Encourage patients to develop an emergency birth kit.
• Encourage local and state governments to provide facilities that are
safe and secure for women.
• Raising awareness and motivating women to take action begins
with educating women and families to assess their personal and
community risks for disaster as well as to know what steps to take
that will lessen the impact of disaster during pregnancy.
• Be prepared for delivery – stress can do a number on the body and
can cause early delivery.
• Inform patients and be aware of the signs of mental distress.
Promote prompt attention to mental health needs.

7. Recommendations
The main strategies that could be suggested in order to reduce the
vulnerability of women in disasters include:
• increasing public education.
• activating women’s communication networks.
• reinforcing practical skills for women facing disasters.
• legislation for supporting women.
• training skills in all areas related to women’s health especially in
reproductive health in natural disasters and crisis situations.