Climate Change Doubles Pregnancy Heat Risks: Urgent Warning for Expectant Mothers

Extreme Heat Poses Growing Risks to Pregnant Women, Report Shows An early-season heat wave gripping the southern U.S. has highlighted a critical concern: the increased health risks for pregnant women during extreme heat. This risk, according to new analysis from Climate Central, is being amplified by human-induced climate change. The report reveals that pregnancy heat risk days have nearly doubled over the past five years. In Utah, the hardest-hit state, the increase is even more alarming, with nearly a month of additional heat-risk days in 2023. "Pregnant women really do need to be paying more attention to this than they used to," said Dr. Celine Gounder, in an interview with CBS Mornings. The segment emphasized the importance of staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity, and seeking out cooling centers during periods of extreme heat. The report also raises concerns about the impact of reduced government funding for heat-related health surveillance. This reduction, according to the report, could hinder efforts to effectively monitor and address the growing threat of heat-related illnesses during pregnancy. The increase in heat-risk days underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and proactive measures to protect the health of pregnant women during periods of extreme heat. The information provided in the report and the interview with Dr. Gounder offer valuable insights and practical advice for both expectant mothers and healthcare providers.