Maternal and newborn care during disasters: thinking outside the hospital paradigm

Emergencies that challenge the infrastructure of the current health care system require a shift in the standard of usual practice. Pregnant women and their newborns are intimately linked special populations that require continued care despite the community circumstances. Pre-event planning with community partners can generate a safer alternative for providing care during a public health emergency. Lessons learned from international and United States public health emergencies have resulted in a better understanding of the essentials of care and the development of resources to guide planning for these populations.