Vancouver hospitals are preparing for the Olympics, staff say. (CBC)

Hospitals in Vancouver are making plans to ensure pregnant women don't end up giving birth while stuck in Olympic-induced traffic chaos.

Olympic road closures will be in force for most of February, and during that time the B.C. Women's Hospital on Oak Street is expecting about 550 births.

The hospital's spokeswoman, Pam O'Sullivan, said they have setup early-labour rooms so women who arrive early and are not fully dilated don't have to return home if they live a long distance away.

They've also told doctors and midwives to warn expectant mothers about the delays.

"If they do live a fair distance from the hospital, and they know based on the road closures, they should allow themselves a little extra time. So obviously, if someone is contracting, they may want to think about coming a little bit sooner to allow for extra time on the road," said O'Sullivan.

'If someone is contracting, they may want to think about coming a little bit sooner," — Pam O'Sullivan, B.C. Women's Hospital

St Paul's Hospital, which is located on Burrard Street within walking distance of the main Olympic venues downtown, is expecting about 150 births in February.

Staff there are also warning patients about road closures and have set up special drop-off zones for those patients who don't have time to park.

Hospitals are also preparing for increased volume from pregnant tourists, although they say at the Salt Lake Games in 2002, such visits rose only one or two per cent.