By Beth Conover, APRN, Beth Kiernan, MPH, and Al Romeo, RN, PhD – Teratogen Information Specialists MotherToBaby
From images of buildings destroyed by high winds to families trapped on rooftops by flooding (and the rising death toll), to say hurricanes can be devastating would be an understatement. At MotherToBaby, we get questions from moms and moms-to-be in storm-hit areas about the potential exposures they may face as powerful forces of nature wreak havoc on their homes and communities. We just wanted to let you know – MotherToBaby is here for you, your unborn child and your baby. We can answer your questions about the known facts about these potential exposures related to natural disasters during your pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You can call us toll-free (866-626-6847), text us (855-999-3525), chat with us online, or send us an email through MotherToBaby.org. Here are some common questions we receive and answers to help us provide you with as much information as possible during this difficult time:
I am pregnant and worried about possible things related to a hurricane that could harm my baby.
Pregnancy can be a stressful time, without the added worries of a natural disaster like a hurricane! However, remember that many pregnant women have been in similar situations and had normal pregnancy outcomes and healthy babies. There are some common sense things you can do to keep you and your baby safe:
- Keep eating nutritious food… even if it’s canned.
- Drink safe liquids… bottled or boiled water, for example.
- Rest whenever you can and get the right amount of sleep.
- Don’t overdo it with weight lifting.
MotherToBaby has a newsletter on pregnancy during natural disasters:
I am concerned that industrial chemicals may be released into the air and water after a hurricane. Will this pose a risk to my pregnancy?
Local industry can be affected by heavy rain, wind, tornadoes, and hurricane flooding. Various chemicals (carbon monoxide, ammonia, chlorine, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid) can be released into the air or flood waters from damage to these industrial facilities. Local authorities often inform the public of potential chemical spills and explain what the public should do to avoid or reduce exposure (stay indoors, for example). If you think the smell is natural gas, go to a safe area away from the smell and call 911 or your local gas company.
You may want to start taking notes on paper or make some mental notes in case you have questions about how these chemicals might affect your pregnancy or your nursing baby. Contact your healthcare provider or MotherToBaby and be prepared to answer these questions:
- The names of the chemicals
- New or increased symptoms (vomiting, headache, dizziness, etc.)
- How you came into contact with the chemicals (breathing, touching, in your mouth or eyes, etc.)
- How long you were in contact with the chemicals
Fortunately, exposures like these are often small enough to not pose a risk to pregnancy. For example, sniffing something may not result in a significant amount being passed on to the baby. However, every chemical is different, so be sure to ask about any of your concerns.
I am worried about whether my drinking water is safe…could I get any contamination from it that could harm my pregnancy?
Infections are common after a natural disaster. These can include bacterial infections and parasites from dirty water. Many of these infections are important to treat and you should contact your obstetric health provider (Midwife or OB) if you think you have an infection. MotherToBaby has fact sheets on common infections and many medicines used to treat them:
All that water results in lots of mosquitoes! Not only are they unpleasant, but can’t they spread infections that could harm my pregnancy? Is it safe to use insect repellent in pregnancy?
You are right that mosquitoes can sometimes carry serious infections like Zika and West Nile. MotherToBaby has newsletters on these diseases and many more: and
There are also some things you can do to reduce your chances of being bitten by a mosquito:
- Stay indoors with appropriate screens during peak mosquito activity (usually overnight from dusk to dawn)
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors
- Consider using an insect repellent that contains an effective ingredient such as DEET or picaridin. Apply the repellent sparingly to exposed skin and outer clothing and wash it off when you’re back inside and no longer need it. MotherToBaby has a fact sheet on insect repellents at
I am very stressed by the whole situation! Our house has been destroyed and we are staying in a shelter. I have heard from my grandmother that stress can harm the baby. Is true?
Pregnant women often worry that stress can affect the pregnancy and cause miscarriage, premature birth or low birth weight. Fortunately, most experts agree that moderate levels of stress are unlikely to harm pregnancy. It’s even better to stay as calm as possible and try to stop worrying about the worry! It is normal to feel irritable and out of control and to be tearful and anxious. Stress can make existing medical conditions worse, so it’s important to take care of yourself, even when you’re caring for family members:
- Pay attention to your sugar levels and blood pressure.
- Do things to relax. Get some exercise, even if it’s just a short walk.
- Take deep breaths and think positive thoughts about your baby.
If you feel depressed, talk to someone like your partner, a relative or friend, or a health care provider. If you’ve been taking medication for mental health problems, keep taking it unless your doctor tells you to stop. It’s okay to ask for help. Treating depression and anxiety helps your baby. See this newsletter for more information:
The good news is that my house is still standing. The bad news is that the hurricane has caused real chaos in my house! What types of cleaners are safe to use while pregnant?
First of all, remember that you don’t have to take on everything… you are pregnant after all! Let others do the heavy lifting or handle potentially toxic cleaning chemicals. However, most household cleaners are very low risk. To protect yourself and your baby, wear gloves when using cleaners and try to keep fresh air circulating in your work area (think a fan and open windows).
What about mold? Hurricanes include rain and can cause flooding…and all that water in my house has caused mold on my walls. Will this harm me or my pregnancy?
After the rain stops and the floodwaters recede, mold can begin to grow on damaged homes, cars, and businesses. Whether you’re young or old, pregnant or not, exposure to mold can make you sick. However, there is no evidence that mold exposure increases the risks of birth defects or pregnancy complications. Companies can help with cleanup, but you can do some yourself if you take the right precautions. MotherToBaby has a newsletter about mold:
Here’s how you can learn about cleaning up mold in your home:
If you must live or work in a place where mold is removed, try to open windows so that you are less exposed to airborne mold spores. If you can sleep somewhere else at night and only come back to clean for a short time each day, this may be best for you.
What if I breastfeed my baby? Should I be worried about exposures or should I use formula?
Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby! It is even more important when there are concerns that the water used to make the formula may be contaminated. Be sure to keep yourself well hydrated and use common sense for your exposures. MotherToBaby has a newsletter on breastfeeding in a natural disaster:
Here’s another site to check out:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
More about MotherToBaby
MotherToBaby is a service of the Organization for Special Teratology Information (OTIS), a recommended resource from many agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you have questions about natural disaster exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding, call MotherToBaby TOLL FREE at 866-626-6847 or try the new MotherToBaby text information service by sending questions to (855) 999-3525. You can also visit MotherToBaby.org to browse a library of fact sheets about dozens of viruses, drugs, vaccines, alcohol, diseases or other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. MotherToBaby was able to launch new outreach efforts to reach underserved populations and launch new communication technologies through a cooperative agreement with the US Health Resources and Services Administration, as well as through generous donations from the public.
