Skip to content

Republish This Story

* Please read before republishing *

We’re happy to make this story available to republish for free under an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives Creative Commons license as long as you follow our republishing guidelines, which require that you credit The 19th and retain our pixel. See our full guidelines for more information.

To republish, simply copy the HTML at right, which includes our tracking pixel, all paragraph styles and hyperlinks, the author byline and credit to The 19th. Have questions? Please email [email protected].

— The Editors

Loading...

Modal Gallery

/

Menu

  • Our Mission
  • Our Team
  • Latest Stories
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Donate
  • Work With Us
  • Fellowships
    • From the Collection

      Changing Child Care

      Illustration of a woman feeding a baby a bottle
      • As climate change worsens hurricane season in Louisiana, doulas are ensuring parents can safely feed their babies

        Jessica Kutz · May 5
      • Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito argued abortion isn’t an economic issue. But is that true?

        Chabeli Carrazana · May 4
      • Pregnant people are at 'greater risk' in states hit hard by wildfire smoke, air pollution, new report shows

        Jessica Kutz · April 20
    • From the Collection

      Next-Gen GOP

      Illustration of a woman riding an elephant
      • Mayra Flores’ victory set a record for women in Congress. It also reflects the growing visibility of Republican Latinas

        Candice Norwood · June 21
      • A banner year for Republican women

        Amanda Becker · November 11
      • Republican women could double representation in the U.S. House

        Amanda Becker · November 4
    • From the Collection

      On The Rise

      Illustration of three women marching
      • Biden’s new environmental justice office aims to tackle the health impacts disproportionately faced by people of color

        Jessica Kutz · June 2
      • Jessica Cisneros takes on the last anti-abortion U.S. House Democrat

        Amanda Becker · February 25
      • Meet J. Michelle Childs, South Carolina judge and possible Supreme Court contender

        Candice Norwood · February 18
    • From the Collection

      Pandemic Within a Pandemic

      Illustration of four people marching for Black Lives Matter with coronavirus as the backdrop
      • Some LGBTQ+ people worry that the COVID-19 vaccine will affect HIV medication. It won’t.

        Orion Rummler · November 23
      • Why are more men dying from COVID? It’s a complicated story of nature vs. nurture, researchers say

        Mariel Padilla · September 22
      • Few incarcerated women were released during COVID. The ones who remain have struggled.

        Candice Norwood · August 17
    • From the Collection

      Portraits of a Pandemic

      Illustration of a woman wearing a mask and holding up the coronavirus
      • For family caregivers, COVID is a mental health crisis in the making

        Shefali Luthra · October 8
      • A new database tracks COVID-19’s effects on sex and gender

        Shefali Luthra · September 15
      • Pregnant in a pandemic: The 'perfect storm for a crisis'

        Shefali Luthra · August 25
    • From the Collection

      The 19th Explains

      People walking from many articles to one article where they can get the context they need on an issue.
      • The 19th Explains: How pregnant people can prepare for a summer of heat waves

        Jessica Kutz · June 17
      • The 19th Explains: How new Title IX guidelines on sexual misconduct may give more help to survivors

        Nadra Nittle · June 14
      • The 19th Explains: How would overturning Roe v. Wade affect IVF?

        Jennifer Gerson · May 27
    • From the Collection

      The Electability Myth

      Illustration of three women speaking at podiums
      • Mayra Flores’ victory set a record for women in Congress. It also reflects the growing visibility of Republican Latinas

        Candice Norwood · June 21
      • Stepping in after tragedy: How political wives became widow lawmakers

        Mariel Padilla · May 24
      • Do term limits help women candidates? New York could be a new testing ground

        Barbara Rodriguez · January 11
    • From the Collection

      The Impact of Aging

      A number of older people walking down a path of information.
      • 'I'm planning on working until the day I die': Older women voters are worried about the future

        Mariel Padilla · June 3
      • Climate change is forcing care workers to act as first responders

        Jessica Kutz · May 31
      • Woman alleges that an assisted living facility denied her admission because she is transgender

        Sara Luterman · November 8
    • From the Collection

      Voting Rights

      A series of hands reaching for ballots.
      • Florida’s redistricting fight continues. The head of the state League of Women Voters talks about what’s at stake.

        Barbara Rodriguez · April 19
      • Women have been sounding the alarm ahead of Texas’ first-in-the-nation primary

        Barbara Rodriguez · February 28
      • LGBTQ+ people of color are at risk from rising voter restrictions as federal protections falter in the Senate, advocates say

        Orion Rummler · January 19

    View all collections

  • Explore by Topic

    • Abortion
    • Business & Economy
    • Caregiving
    • Coronavirus
    • Education
    • Election 2020
    • Elections 2022
    • Environment & Climate
    • Health
    • Immigration
    • Inside The 19th
    • Justice
    • LGBTQ+
    • Politics
    • Race
    • Sports
    • Technology

    View All Topics

Home
  • Our Mission
  • Our Team
  • Latest Stories
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Donate
  • Work With Us
  • Fellowships

We’re an independent, nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy. Read our story.

Support The 19th

As a nonprofit newsroom, members are critical to our sustainability. Your financial support helps make our journalism possible.

Become a Member

Donate to support our mission

The 19th thanks our sponsors. Become one.

The sun sets behind people walking an afternoon hike.
The sun sets behind people walking an afternoon hike in Los Angeles in July 2021. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

Environment & Climate

The 19th Explains: How pregnant people can prepare for a summer of heat waves

A growing body of research over the last decade points to the impact extreme heat has on maternal and fetal health.

Jessica Kutz

Gender, climate and sustainability reporter

Published

2022-06-17 05:00
5:00
June 17, 2022
am

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

A heat wave rolling across the country has sent temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in many cities this week.

This is especially dangerous for pregnant people, who along with the elderly and young children are particularly vulnerable to heat illness and exhaustion. A growing body of research also indicates that heat has been correlated with an increased risk of negative birth outcomes, including preterm birth, lower birth weight and stillbirth. 

While this is the first heat wave of 2022 in the United States, climate change is making these events more frequent, and already this summer has broken records across the country. This is in line with an increase in average summer temperatures in the last several decades, with the West and Southwest experiencing the biggest changes, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit climate communication organization. 

The 19th thanks our sponsors. Become one.

In the United States, disasters worsened by climate change, like heat waves, hurricanes and wildfires, disproportionately impact low-income communities of color, where people also have less resources like air conditioning to cope with the changing climate. 

The 19th spoke with experts to better understand just how dangerous heat can be to pregnant people and to provide information on how a pregnant person should navigate the upcoming summer. 

Why are pregnant people more at risk during heat waves or extreme heat?

The ability to maintain a consistent and safe body temperature, or what’s known as thermoregulation, is more complicated for pregnant people. Heat from a growing fetus, a larger body-mass-to-surface-area ratio and a harder-working heart all make regulating body temperature more challenging during a pregnancy, said Amelia Wesselink, a research assistant professor of epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health in an email.

Adding extreme heat to that challenge makes everything that much more difficult. “If we think about it really simply, your body is cooling for two, your body is in overdrive working really hard to create the next generation,” said Adelle Monteblanco, an assistant professor of sociology at Middle Tennessee State University. “That increased exposure [to heat] puts them at even more risk for heat-related illnesses.” According to a review of the latest research, it can lead to a “reduction in placental blood flow, dehydration, and an inflammatory response that may trigger preterm birth.”

  • More from The 19th
    Illustration composed of dollar icons, tampon icons and baby bottle icons in different colors.
  • A tampon shortage, during a formula shortage, during a child care shortage
  • Pushed by lawmakers and the formula shortage, FEMA boosts efforts to support breastfeeding families during disasters
  • As climate change worsens hurricane season in Louisiana, doulas are ensuring parents can safely feed their babies

When during pregnancy should someone be most concerned about extreme heat or heat waves? Does it change by trimester? 

There are risks throughout pregnancy associated with heat exposure, but there are limits to what experts know, Wesselink said. Little confirmed data is available about the risk of heat exposure early in pregnancy. 

Some information becomes clearer a few months down the line.

“We know that exposure to extreme heat during the second half of pregnancy is associated with higher risk of preterm delivery, lower birth weight and stillbirth,”  Wesselink said. “There is also some evidence that mid-pregnancy exposure can influence maternal health outcomes like preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.”

Dr. Nathaniel DeNicola, an obstetrician who is also an environmental health expert for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said extreme heat was found to be a risk factor for premature birth, particularly near the end of a pregnancy.

What temperature is considered too hot for a pregnant person? 

There is no one temperature that researchers can pinpoint as being dangerous, though experts say that duration of exposure is likely one factor. 

What’s considered a dangerous temperature could be different for different people as well. “There is this concept called heat tolerance which refers to how your body adapts to a rapid change in temperature,” DeNicola said. For every person this tolerance is different. 

So if someone lives in an already hot climate, higher temperatures could be less noticeable than for someone experiencing a big spike in temperature. “Your body will feel more of a shock,” he said. “That 15-degree change will be more impactful on your health.” Experts said that, in general, it is a good idea to check the weather forecast to get a sense of upcoming temperature spikes. 

It also matters how a pregnant person is taking care of themselves during a heat wave. Are they able to stay indoors and find shade? Are they drinking enough water? The ability to take these measures can be complicated by other factors, including whether someone works outdoors for example.

A newsletter you can relate to

Storytelling that represents you, delivered to your inbox.

You have been subscribed!

Submitting…

Uh-oh! Something went wrong. Please try again later.

What are some signs of overheating?

Pregnant people tend to feel warmer than someone who isn’t pregnant, in part because of the increased blood volume. While it may be difficult to distinguish from regular pregnancy discomforts, DeNicola said, all the standard warning signs apply, including feeling more fatigued, dehydrated or lightheaded. On the more extreme end, contractions can be brought on because of dehydration, he said.

Generally speaking, anyone having contractions at five-minute intervals for more than an hour should call a doctor, DeNicola said. 

What can pregnant people do to stay safe during a heat wave?

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Because pregnant people’s blood volume can increase by up to 50 percent, they need more water than usual and are more sensitive to becoming dehydrated. “There is no exact amount of water that I can say to hit every day, but they need to be well ahead of thirst, said DeNicola. “If they are feeling thirsty, they are behind.”  

Monteblanco also suggests having on hand water-rich snacks like watermelon and cucumber. Putting wet washcloths in the fridge or freezer that can later be placed on the wrists or the neck can also be handy, she said. 

For those with no or limited access to air conditioning, check local government websites for a list of cooling centers. These are air-conditioned places where people can go for free, usually during the day, to escape the heat. Other options are libraries, malls and movie theaters, said Monteblanco. If they can, “they need to take the opportunity to slow down, stay inside and avoid strenuous activities,” she added.  

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email

Support The 19th

As a nonprofit newsroom, members are critical to our sustainability. Your financial support helps make our journalism possible.

Become a Member

Donate to support our mission

From the Collection

The 19th Explains

People walking from many articles to one article where they can get the context they need on an issue.
  • The 19th Explains: How new Title IX guidelines on sexual misconduct may give more help to survivors

    Nadra Nittle · June 14
  • The 19th Explains: How would overturning Roe v. Wade affect IVF?

    Jennifer Gerson · May 27
  • The 19th Explains: The governor’s races we’re watching in 2022

    Barbara Rodriguez · May 3

Up Next

Shanelle Casuga and her children watch the coast on an ATV before the arrival of a hurricane.

Environment & Climate

Pushed by lawmakers and the formula shortage, FEMA boosts efforts to support breastfeeding families during disasters

The agency makes it more clear that parents qualify for reimbursement if they need breast pumps and other resources to keep their babies fed.

Read the Story

The 19th
The 19th is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Our stories are free to republish in accordance with these guidelines.

  • Donate
  • Subscribe to the Newsletter
  • Attend an Event
  • Jobs
  • Fellowships
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Community Guidelines
  • Membership
  • Membership FAQ
  • Major Gifts
  • Sponsorship
  • Privacy
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram