Mothers in the hot seat: Impacts of climate change on pregnant women

Climate change is impacting the world with rising temperatures, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and heavy rains. Pakistan, too, is experiencing these changes with record-breaking heat but how climate change, particularly rising temperatures, affects the health of pregnant women and their babies?

Geo Digital interviewed Professor and Gynecologist Nadeem Zuberi from Aga Khan University. He explained that continuous temperature fluctuations have severe effects on pregnant women and the unborn babies, potentially endangering their lives.

"During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes various changes. All organs work differently, but during heatwaves, their breathing pattern changes. As women go through the process of becoming mothers, their oxygen demand and heart rate also change".

According to medical experts, these body changes make pregnant women especially vulnerable during heatwaves.

"Lack of oxygen affects the baby's development, increases chances of premature birth, and raises the risk of miscarriage," Dr Zuberi said.

A 2020 study in The Lancet, involving World Health Organisation, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) and a London-based research institution, identified Pakistan among eight countries with the highest pre-term deaths amongst them. 

Other countries include India, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, China, and USA and others, but as per the study, Pakistan alone reported 14.4% mortality rate for pre-term births in 2020.

Primarily, pregnant women exhibit symptoms similar to those affected by heatstroke.

Symptoms for Pregnant Women:

• Excessive sweating
• Feeling hot
• Drowsiness and weakness
• Increased thirst
• Reduced urine output with colour change

Professor Zuberi emphasised that temperature fluctuations are more harmful than high temperatures alone. He also shared some precautionary measures for expecting mothers.

Precautionary measures for pregnant women in heatwaves

Avoid peak heat hours: Many women work outdoors, which is challenging in urban areas and extremely difficult in rural areas where women often work under the open sky.

Keep cool: This is crucial but challenging in both urban and rural areas due to issues like power outages and water shortages. Lack of amenities such as air conditioners and cold water also poses problems.

Wear loose clothing and stay hydrated: Essential for managing heat stress during pregnancy.

A few days ago, Muhammad Saleem Sheikh, the media spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change, advised avoiding unnecessary outdoor activities during day time. 

Sheikh also warned that heatwaves could severely impact pregnant women.

However, heat is not the only threat to pregnant women's health. The broader impacts of climate change, including air and water pollution, also significantly affect the health and well-being of both mother and child.

These environmental factors can lead to respiratory issues, developmental problems, and increased risk of complications during pregnancy. 

Addressing these concerns is crucial to safeguarding maternal and child health in the face of ongoing climate challenges.