The consequences of global warming are affecting all of humanity, and also those people who want to have children. Indeed, climate change affects pregnant women, who face premature births with the consequent risk to the baby's health. Motherhood in times of drastic climate change has become a topic of growing concern for health and environmental experts. To delve deeper into these concerns, it is essential to understand how climate change and pregnant women are interrelated.
In vulnerable regions like Nicaragua and the Caribbean, World Bank climate experts say temperatures will rise by an average of 4 degrees. This will bring more droughts and an 80% increase in the incidence of tropical cyclones, while glaciers will continue to disappear, generating a knock-on effect on the ecosystem and public health.
A recent study titled «Weather Shocks and Health at Birth in Colombia» revealed that the health of this group would be greatly affected. The findings indicate that the longer a heat wave lasts, the greater the likelihood of premature birth. Although the effects are not currently alarming, as they would reduce the probability of a natural birth by 0.5% and the probability of a healthy baby by 0.4%, the study warns that if temperatures continue to rise, there will be more heat waves, and therefore, the health risks for both mother and child are likely to increase as well.
Impacts on the health of pregnant women
To have healthy offspring it is crucial to be able to cope with climate change, and this means having sufficient financial resources to survive in an increasingly hostile environment. The emotional health of pregnant women is also a determining factor. If they suffer from stress or depression, this can negatively impact fetal development. A study in Kenya showed that A 1 millimeter annual reduction in rainfall causes a 0.9% increase in the stress hormone, cortisol. If this stress level remains elevated for days or weeks, the mother's likelihood of developing illnesses increases significantly.
To protect the health of mothers and children, it is imperative to support both increasing investments in public health to control pregnancy, such as facilitating access to food, especially for low-income families. Without this, the cycle of poverty and poor health can become a vicious cycle. It's vital to understand that they are intrinsically connected, which requires attention.
Heat waves and risks during pregnancy
The effects of heat waves on pregnant women are alarming. Being exposed to extreme temperatures Not only does heat directly affect your health, but also that of your fetus. Pregnant bodies produce more heat due to fetal and placental metabolism, which increases body mass and the need for physical energy. In situations of prolonged heat, this can result in pregnancy complications, premature births, and even stillbirths.
Studies indicate that rising ambient temperatures can increase the rate of premature births and related health complications. One of the most prominent studies reviewed more than 57 studies on the relationship between high temperatures and the health of pregnant women, concluding that extreme heat can increase the risk of premature birth by up to 21%. premature and 6% for fetal and neonatal death.
These conditions are particularly worrying in low- and middle-income countries, where many women continue to work in difficult conditions during pregnancy. According to the World Bank, Women represent 45% of the agricultural workforce in the worldThis reality exposes millions of pregnant women to outdoor workdays that are dangerous due to high temperatures. Climate instability puts women's health at risk, making these issues essential to address.
Proliferation of infectious diseases
Climate change is also related to the proliferation of infectious diseases, which pose a greater risk to pregnant women. Weather conditions such as heavy rains, hurricanes, and droughts foster the proliferation of vectors like mosquitoes that transmit diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Each of these viruses has devastating effects on maternal and child health.
Studies have shown that pregnant women with dengue fever are three times more likely to die than those without the disease. This infection can lead to severe complications, especially during the first days of recovery. The most severe form of this disease, dengue hemorrhagic fever, can increase the risk of maternal death up to 450 times.
In addition, Zika has been associated with Congenital malformations, such as microcephaly, which is associated with brain damage in newborns. A 2016 study in Brazil found that of 117 live-born babies born to 116 Zika virus-positive women, 42% had brain damage, demonstrating the impact of climate change on public health. These are critical issues we must address.
Water pollution and risk of hepatitis E
Climate change also affects the quality of drinking water, as rising sea levels, cyclones, and storms can contaminate freshwater sources with saltwater. This affects all people who depend on these sources, but pregnant women in developing countries face additional risks. Studies have shown hepatitis E fatality rates in pregnant women are ten times higher than in the general population, highlighting the need for health surveillance.
Hepatitis E, which is usually spread through contaminated water, can have fatal consequences. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, especially in the second and third trimesters, where case fatality rates can reach up to 20–25% during outbreaks of the disease. The relationship between maternal metabolism and infections can further complicate health during pregnancy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has forcefully pointed out that climate change has devastating effects on pregnant women, newborns, and children. A collection of articles from the Journal of Global Health has shown that pregnant women face a high risk of complications due to exposure to extreme weather events, such as heat waves, floods, and air pollution.
Experts like Bruce Aylward of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warn of the gravity of the situation, urging urgent action to protect the health of these vulnerable groups. Integrating maternal and child health into national climate change response plans is imperative to mitigate the risks and hazards arising from this environmental crisis.
Attention to risk factors such as air quality regulation And access to health services is essential to ensuring a healthy future for future generations. Pregnant women require a healthy environment that supports not only their health, but also that of their children.
Recommendations for pregnant women and families
The situation is complex and the challenges are multiple, but there are recommendations that can help mitigate the risks associated with climate change for pregnant women:
- Maintain rigorous medical monitoring during pregnancy, attending all scheduled appointments.
- Develop an emergency plan that addresses potential natural disasters and how to respond during them.
- Use repellents and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, especially in regions where diseases are prevalent.
- Stay well hydrated and have a balance diet that supports the health of both the mother and the fetus.
These recommendations should not only be followed by pregnant women, but are essential for them to become part of the overall public health approach. Only through collective efforts and the implementation of effective policies can we address the risks posed by climate change to the health of future generations.
Protecting maternal and child health in the context of climate change is a global challenge that requires immediate attention from both governments and society as a whole. The climate crisis is already a reality that threatens the future of new generations, and it is our responsibility to act now to ensure a healthy environment for all.
