Hot weather dangerous for moms-to-be

It is well known that climate change and the associated prolonged periods of hot weather pose a serious threat to human health, especially for young children, the elderly and patients with chronic medical conditions. However, a growing body of scientific evidence also points to the harmful effects of high temperatures on pregnant women and their unborn children. Are there effective methods to protect this particularly vulnerable group from the negative effects of hot weather?

Climate is changing, temperatures are rising

Human-induced climate change has led to an increase in global annual temperatures of about 1.2°C, compared to the pre-industrial period. By contrast, according to data in a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report, 2023 was the warmest year ever measured. Unfortunately, the current year also has the potential to break this infamous record.

Melting glaciers, rising ocean temperatures and increasingly prolonged periods of drought are just some of the effects of a warming climate, which also has a significant impact on human health, especially for pregnant women. A study conducted in The Gambia by the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) found significant relationships between exposure to extreme temperatures and the health of pregnant women, revealing the effects of heat stress on the mother and fetus.

Ninety-two pregnant female farmers from Keneba and the surrounding area who were exposed to extreme temperatures while working in the fields and carrying out daily chores were studied for seven months. The aim of the study was to determine physiological changes in the mother and fetus under extreme heat stress. This stress was defined as exposure to high temperatures, humidity, solar radiation and wind speed.

High temperatures are a serious threat to pregnant women

Research led by Ana Bonell of LSHTM has shown that each 1°C rise in temperature negatively affects fetal parameters. It is then increasing by 17 percent. The likelihood of an accelerated heart rate and reduced blood flow to the placenta. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of heat stress due to the increased physiological needs of the placenta and fetus. More than half of the women surveyed (58 percent) reported symptoms of heat stress, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, weakness and muscle aches.

Ana Bonell also refers to other studies that show that exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, pre-eclampsia, premature births, miscarriages and stillbirths. Despite this, support for pregnant women to cope with high temperatures is still minimal, both in Third World countries and in more developed regions such as the United States.

How to protect pregnant women from the heat?

To protect pregnant women from the effects of hot weather, multi-level measures must be taken. Research on the effects of extreme temperatures on maternal and child health, conducted in The Gambia, is providing valuable data for developing strategies to protect against heat stress.

Increasing pregnant women’s awareness of the dangers of high temperatures and educating them on methods to prevent heat stress is key. In regions particularly vulnerable to the heat, such as parts of Africa and Florida, it is necessary to provide access to air conditioning, fresh drinking water and financial support for low-income families to cover the costs of maintaining cooling systems. Working with local doulas can be an effective way to reach those most in need.

Authorities should implement programs that offer guidance on protecting pregnant women from high temperatures and provide drinking water in public places. Early warning systems for impending heat waves can also help. In the long term, on the other hand, it is necessary to optimize urban design for natural ventilation of apartments and create cooling points for communities. These solutions are already being tested in the Pakistani cities of Karachi and Matiari.

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