Extreme heat putting pregnant women, newborns at risk

Pregnant women and newborns face growing risks from extreme heat, according to the United Nations climate chief. Simon Stiell warned about the dangers during a pre-COP summit in Nadi, Fiji. A survey revealed that over two-thirds of health professionals in five continents have observed complications due to intense heat in the past five years.

Rising temperatures intensify the risk of premature birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, and maternal complications. Climate change is making extreme weather events more severe, leading to record-breaking heat. In July, 33 countries experienced their hottest month since records began. The survey of 1,000 midwives and doctors in the UK, Australia, India, Brazil, and Zimbabwe found that nearly all healthcare workers had encountered mothers or babies affected by extreme heat.

About a third of respondents reported cases of low birth weight, restricted growth, feeding difficulties, dehydration, and heat-related illness. Stiell emphasized that pregnancy should be a time of hope, but millions are now facing anxiety due to climate impacts. He urged leaders to act on the available evidence and solutions, as the issue is a faultline in the global climate crisis, potentially leading to suffering, inequality, and injustice.