A recent global survey has highlighted the severe and growing threat that extreme heat poses to maternal and newborn health. Doctors and healthcare professionals across five countries—India, Australia, Brazil, the UK, and Zimbabwe—are reporting a significant increase in heat-related complications affecting pregnant women and their babies.
Commissioned by Wellcome, the survey gathered insights from 1,000 maternal healthcare professionals. A striking 73% of respondents observed a rise in heat-related cases among pregnant women over the past five years. Even more concerning, 76% reported increased impacts on foetal or newborn health during the same period.
Rising Risks for Expectant Mothers and Infants
The findings paint a stark picture of the health challenges emerging due to escalating temperatures. Among newborns, healthcare professionals frequently reported dehydration and other heat-related illnesses (36%), low birth weight or restricted growth (34%), and difficulties with feeding, breathing, and temperature regulation (33%).
Pregnancy complications are also on the rise. Approximately 23% of professionals indicated they had managed cases requiring additional monitoring or treatment directly linked to heat exposure. Research cited by Wellcome further connects heat exposure to adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and various maternal complications. Studies suggest that for every 1°C rise in heat exposure, the odds of preterm birth increase by about 5%, while heatwave exposure is associated with a 25% higher risk of obstetric complications.
Barriers to Healthcare Access Amid Extreme Heat
Beyond direct physiological impacts, extreme heat is also disrupting healthcare delivery. Roughly 27% of surveyed professionals noted that high temperatures made it harder for pregnant women and families to travel to or access necessary medical care. Additionally, 29% reported an increase in urgent or emergency presentations, indicating a strain on healthcare services.
Urgent Call for Policy Action
The healthcare community is deeply concerned about the future. A vast majority, 81%, of professionals anticipate that extreme heat will pose an even greater threat to maternal, foetal, and newborn health over the next five years if no significant action is taken. Consequently, 82% believe policymakers and health system leaders must prioritize protecting these vulnerable groups.
Wellcome is advocating for the explicit inclusion of pregnant women, new mothers, and babies in national climate and health plans. This requires dedicated funding, clear clinical guidance, and robust health surveillance systems. Furthermore, 92% of professionals expressed a need for more training and resources to effectively protect pregnant women during periods of extreme heat, with 55% believing clearer national or international guidance would enhance their ability to provide care. As global governments prepare for upcoming climate conferences, Wellcome urges that maternal and newborn protection be treated as a specific and urgent priority.