Climate Change and Its Rising Impact on Pregnancy Health Risks

Recent research highlights a concerning link between climate change and increased health risks for pregnant women worldwide. The study, conducted by the US-based organization Climate Central, reveals that rising global temperatures due to human-induced climate change are significantly elevating the number of days pregnant women are exposed to potentially dangerous heat levels. Analyzing data from 247 countries and territories, the report shows that in 222 locations, climate change has at least doubled the average annual days with extreme heat risk for pregnant women over the past five years.

The regions most affected include developing nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Pacific islands, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa—areas where healthcare access is often limited and the impact of heat waves can be especially severe. Exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy has been associated with various adverse outcomes, including premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects, and gestational diabetes.

While the study primarily measured the increase in hot days rather than direct health outcomes, experts emphasize the growing danger. Ana Bonell from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine pointed out that the findings underscore the increasing exposure risk to extreme heat. She also noted that vulnerable groups, like the elderly, are similarly at greater risk during heatwaves.

The physiological mechanisms behind how extreme heat affects pregnancy are still being studied, but recent research in Nature Medicine estimates that heat waves can increase the likelihood of pregnancy complications by approximately 1.25 times. Addressing this challenge requires broader efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing fossil fuel consumption and implementing community-level interventions such as greening urban environments, limiting pollution, creating shaded and cool areas, and raising awareness about risks.

Public health strategies should include specific warnings for pregnant women during heatwaves, as they are often overlooked despite their vulnerability. Experts argue that integrating pregnancy health risks into climate adaptation policies is crucial. Local and global actions aiming to curb climate change and protect vulnerable populations are essential for reducing these growing health hazards.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-climate-pregnancy-problems.html