By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Rising Temperatures and Increased Risks for Expectant Mothers
Mounting evidence indicates that extreme heat poses significant risks for pregnant women and their unborn children. Edrisa Sinjanka, a midwife in the rural village of Keneba in The Gambia, has observed firsthand the detrimental effects of heat on his patients. Many pregnant women come to him dehydrated, with symptoms like cracking lips and severe fatigue, often too exhausted to push during labor. Sinjanka suspects that Gambia's soaring temperatures, which can reach 45°C (115°F), contribute to these issues, particularly affecting subsistence farmers who toil under the blazing sun.
In 2019, Sinjanka joined a local research project led by Ana Bonell from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The study focused on understanding how heat stress impacts pregnant subsistence farmers and their unborn children. The findings were alarming, for every 1°C (1.8°F) increase in temperature, fetal stress, indicated by rapid heart rates and reduced placental blood flow, rose by 17%. A third of the mothers experienced such symptoms. These extreme temperatures, exacerbated by climate change, are not limited to The Gambia. Worldwide, 2023 was the warmest year on record, and 2024 is likely to surpass it. Pregnant women, particularly those in vulnerable regions, face increased risks of hypertension, preeclampsia, cardiac events, gestational diabetes, and even stillbirth due to heat stress.
From Research to Action, Protecting Vulnerable Populations
Despite the growing body of evidence, practical support for pregnant women dealing with extreme heat remains limited. Many nations, including the UK, do not specifically address the needs of pregnant women in their public heat guidelines. Kristie Ebi, an epidemiologist from the University of Washington, emphasizes the need to move from problem identification to intervention. Gloria Maimela, leading the climate and health group at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, echoes this sentiment. She is spearheading projects to test various interventions, such as equipping pregnant women with cameras to document their heat experiences and integrating their feedback into tailored heatwave early warning systems.
In rural Kenya, Adelaide Lusambili from Aga Khan University launched a public awareness program to educate expectant mothers about the dangers of heat and practical measures to stay cool. These initiatives, including limiting outdoor activities during peak heat, wearing fewer layers, and staying hydrated, are vital. Yet, significant challenges remain, particularly in areas with entrenched cultural practices and limited resources.
Internationally, efforts are underway to incorporate heat awareness into maternal care. In Florida, the Metro Mommy Agency is training doulas to provide heat safety guidance to low income pregnant women. Some regions, like India's Andhra Pradesh state, are already offering targeted heat guidance and support. Researchers like Bonell and Maimela continue to gather evidence and advocate for policies that protect pregnant women from extreme heat. Bonell's upcoming study in The Gambia will further investigate the effects of heat on fetal development, aiming to translate research into actionable policies.
As global temperatures rise, the urgency to protect vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, intensifies. Sinjanka remains committed to providing supportive care for his patients in Keneba, believing that research driven action is key to ensuring safe and healthy pregnancies amidst increasing heat stress.
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