Expectant mothers along the Gulf Coast now have resources in place to better prepare for and cope with disasters - such as hurricanes.

Today, doctors at the University of South Alabama along with officials from the Alabama Chapter of the March of Dimes, the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Mobile County Emergency Management Agency unveiled a plan - which is the first of its kind -designed especially for pregnant women who find themselves in the middle of a disaster.

“We learned some valuable lessons from hurricane Katrina and how we, as a community, can better care for women during their pregnancy,” said Dr. Kathy B. Porter, chair of the USA department of obstetrics and gynecology. “Our workgroup has enthusiastically supported this project, and together, we have accomplished what individually was impossible,” added Porter, who specializes in the care of women who have complicated pregnancies.

In 2007, the Alabama Chapter of the March of Dimes funded a $9,000 grant at USA to underwrite a series of meetings with medical professionals and community organizations responsible for responding to disasters. What came out of these meetings was a preparedness plan specifically for pregnant women. Prior to this, no such plan existed.

“The March of Dimes views this as a tremendous opportunity to respond to an unmet need in our area and in all areas of the world that are subject to disasters,” explained Robin Allison, state director for program services for the Alabama Chapter of the March of Dimes. “Our mission is to save babies and we are proud to support the health of all newborns, especially those whose health is threatened by events like hurricanes.”

According to John Kilkeillin, plans and operations officer with the Mobile County Emergency Management Agency, another lesson provided by Katrina was the importance of coordinating disaster relief efforts. “During a disaster, the most profound impact is felt by those who are most vulnerable, underscoring the importance of this plan,” he added.

Because this plan is a first of its kind, the hope is that it will serve as a model for other communities.

“The Alabama Department of Public Health applauds the University of South Alabama for taking the lead on this very important initiative that will help safeguard the health of mothers and babies during disaster,” said Dr. Thomas M. Miller, director of the bureau of family health services for the Alabama Department of Public Health.

For details on the plan please visit http://adph.org/perinatal/.