Extreme heat threatens pregnancy, birth safety — UN official

United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell has warned that extreme heat is emerging as a potentially fatal threat to pregnant women, newborns, and maternal healthcare systems as climate change intensifies. Speaking at the Birthright event in Suva, Fiji, Stiell highlighted the link between rising temperatures and pregnancy complications, premature birth, stillbirth, and low birth weight, describing pregnancy and childbirth as a new fault line in the global climate crisis.

A survey commissioned by Wellcome of maternal health professionals across five countries found that 73% of respondents reported an increase in heat-linked cases or complications over the past five years, while 81% were concerned that extreme heat would increasingly put maternal, fetal, and newborn health at risk without greater action.

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