Which statement best describes a key objective in obstetric disaster preparedness?

• A. To ensure pregnant patients receive ongoing prenatal care, even during emergencies
• B. To evacuate all pregnant patients immediately
• C. To postpone all prenatal visits until stability
• D. To discontinue prenatal care during disasters

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to protect both mother and baby by ensuring access to safe, timely obstetric care even when the health system is stressed. Evacuating pregnant patients promptly to safer, well-equipped facilities moves them away from danger and potential disruptions in local care, so they can continue prenatal monitoring, labor and delivery services, and access to necessary resources (blood products, neonatal support, staffing).

This proactive evacuation helps prevent delays in emergency assessment and treatment that could occur if patients stay in an unsafe or overwhelmed location. It also reduces the burden on facilities that may be damaged or overwhelmed by the disaster.

Continuing prenatal care in place during a disaster, postponing all visits, or discontinuing care in general can lead to missed complications, unmanaged risk factors, and worse outcomes for both mother and fetus. Evacuation, when feasible and safe, aligns with the goal of maintaining continuity of obstetric services and safeguarding perinatal health during disasters.