Healthcare Workers Warn of Rising Heat Risks for Mothers, Newborns

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review International Team | Monday, 5 October 2026

Extreme heat is becoming a bigger health concern for pregnant women and newborns, with doctors and other healthcare professionals seeing more heat-related cases in recent years.

A global survey of 1,000 healthcare professionals in India, Australia, Brazil, the UK and Zimbabwe found that nearly three in four had noticed an increase in heat-related health problems among pregnant women over the past five years. Commissioned by Wellcome, the survey included obstetricians, gynecologists, doctors, midwives, nurses and other frontline healthcare professionals.

The concern extends to babies as well. Around 76% of those surveyed said they had seen more health problems affecting unborn or newborn babies during periods of extreme heat.

Almost all the respondents had come across such cases themselves. About 98% said they had cared for a pregnant woman whose health they believed had been affected by extreme heat. For newborns, the figure was 99%.

Key Highlights

• More pregnant women are being treated for heat-related problems
• Newborns are also showing signs of heat-related health problems
• Healthcare professionals want better support during extreme heat

High temperatures can be difficult for pregnant women, particularly during prolonged heatwaves. Earlier research has linked extreme heat with premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and other pregnancy-related complications.

The survey found that 23% of healthcare professionals had dealt with pregnancy complications that they believed were connected to excessive heat and required additional care or follow-up.

Newborn babies can be affected in several ways. Healthcare professionals mentioned dehydration, low birth weight, restricted growth and heat-related illness. Some also reported feeding and breathing difficulties. Keeping a newborn's body temperature under control can become harder when temperatures remain high.

Heat can make it difficult to reach healthcare facilities too. About 27% of respondents said they had seen cases where extreme temperatures made it harder for pregnant women and their families to access medical care. Nearly 29% reported an increase in urgent or emergency cases.

Many healthcare professionals are worried about what could happen if temperatures continue to rise. Around 81% said they expect extreme heat to pose a greater risk to maternal, fetal and newborn health over the next five years unless more action is taken.

There is also a clear demand for better preparation. Nearly 92% of those surveyed said they would like more training and resources to help them care for pregnant women during periods of extreme heat. About 55% said clearer national or international guidance would help them manage these cases.

Julia Gillard, president of Wellcome and former Australian prime minister, said the experiences shared by healthcare professionals show that the effect of extreme heat on mothers and children needs greater attention.

“Extreme heat is an invisible killer, but pregnant women can no longer be invisible,” Julia said.

Dr Madeleine Thomson, Head of Climate Impacts and Adaptation at Wellcome, said many countries were still not ready for the health effects of rising temperatures. She pointed to early warning systems and cooler healthcare facilities as measures that could help protect people at greater risk.

The Censuswide survey was conducted online between September 17 and October 1, 2026, with 200 healthcare professionals surveyed in each of the five countries. The findings were released ahead of COP31, with a call for maternal and newborn health to be given greater attention in climate and health planning.