India ranks among five nations where medical professionals say extreme heat is directly harming pregnancy and newborn outcomes, based on a survey by Wellcome. The results highlight a steep increase in heat-related complications over the past five years, with doctors in India, Australia, Brazil, the UK, and Zimbabwe observing clear effects on maternal and infant care.
The study surveyed 1,000 healthcare providers, including obstetricians, midwives, and nurses, with nearly all reporting direct experience treating patients affected by high temperatures. 73% noted a rise in heat-related cases among pregnant women, while 76% identified growing dangers to fetal and newborn health. The evidence positions extreme heat as more than an environmental concern but a pressing challenge for maternity services worldwide.
Clinicians connected heat exposure to specific health threats. Over one-fifth reported pregnancies requiring closer monitoring due to heat, while newborns suffered dehydration (36%), low birth weight (34%), and breathing or feeding issues (33%). Research referenced by Wellcome links heat to preterm deliveries, stillbirths, and maternal complications, each 1°C rise in temperature raises preterm birth risk by 5%, and heatwaves correlate with a 25% higher chance of obstetric emergencies.
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Access to medical care is also declining. Nearly 27% of respondents said extreme heat forces patients to delay clinic visits, and 29% reported a surge in emergency cases. The outlook is grim: 81% of professionals expect risks to worsen over the next half-decade without policy intervention.
Healthcare workers are calling for immediate changes. 92% advocate for expanded training and resources, while 55% believe clearer national or international guidance would help them provide better care. 82% insist policymakers must address maternal and infant protection in climate strategies. Wellcome is advocating for explicit inclusion of pregnancy and newborn health in national climate plans, supported by dedicated funding and updated clinical protocols. As governments prepare for COP31, the organization stresses that these risks must be treated as a separate priority as heat becomes more severe.