India among five countries where doctors warn extreme heat is harming pregnancy and newborn health

Extreme heat is increasingly affecting maternal and newborn health, with healthcare professionals in India and four other countries reporting more heat-related complications among pregnant women and babies. A new Wellcome-commissioned survey found that 73% of maternal healthcare professionals reported an increase in heat-related cases affecting pregnant women over the past five years, while 76% reported a rise in impacts on foetal or newborn health.

The survey covered 1,000 healthcare professionals across India, Australia, Brazil, the UK and Zimbabwe, with 200 respondents from each country. Respondents included obstetricians, gynaecologists, doctors, midwives, nurses and other frontline maternal-health workers.

The findings suggest that extreme heat is no longer simply an environmental concern but is increasingly becoming a healthcare challenge for maternity services. Nearly all professionals surveyed said they had personally cared for a pregnant woman or baby whose health they believed had been adversely affected by extreme heat.

Pregnancy complications and newborn risks

The survey highlights several health problems that professionals associate with extreme heat. Around 23% said they had seen pregnancy complications requiring additional monitoring or treatment that they believed were linked to heat exposure.

Among newborns, healthcare professionals reported dehydration and heat-related illness (36%), low birth weight or restricted growth (34%), and difficulties with feeding, breathing and temperature regulation (33%).

Research cited by Wellcome has also linked heat exposure with preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and maternal complications. For every 1°C rise in heat exposure, the odds of preterm birth increase by around 5%, while exposure to heatwaves is associated with a 25% higher risk of obstetric complications.

Extreme heat and maternal health: key findings

Extreme heat can disrupt access to care

The impact extends beyond direct health complications. About 27% of respondents said extreme heat was making it harder for pregnant women and families to travel to or access healthcare, while 29% reported an increase in urgent or emergency presentations.

Healthcare professionals also expect the risks to increase. 81% said they were concerned that extreme heat would pose a growing threat to maternal, foetal and newborn health over the next five years unless further action is taken. Another 82% said policymakers and health-system leaders should give greater priority to protecting pregnant women and babies.

Call for stronger climate-health planning

Wellcome is calling for pregnant women, new mothers and babies to be explicitly included in national climate and health plans, supported by funding, clinical guidance and stronger health surveillance.

The organisation said 92% of surveyed professionals want more training and resources to protect pregnant women during extreme heat, while 55% believe clearer national or international guidance would help them provide better care.

With governments preparing for COP31, Wellcome is urging climate and health policymakers to treat maternal and newborn protection as a specific priority as extreme heat intensifies.