Pregnancy Risks During Extreme Heat Waves: Causes and Safety Tips

Climate Change and Pregnancy Heat Risk

• 🌡️ Extreme heat is becoming more frequent, longer-lasting, and more intense due to human-caused climate change.
• 📈 The number of pregnancy heat risk days has doubled in the US and globally, translating to an additional 12 days per year on average.
• ⚠️ Utah has seen the most significant increase, with an average of 23 additional pregnancy heat risk days annually.

Health Dangers for Pregnant Women

• 🤰 Pregnancy increases the likelihood of complications such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• 💧 Pregnant women are at a higher risk of dehydration as their bodies work harder to cool themselves and the baby.
• ⚠️ Elevated body temperature or fevers during pregnancy have been linked to birth defects and other pregnancy complications.

Impact of Budget Cuts on Public Health Systems

• 📉 Proposed budget cuts threaten CDC surveillance systems that track heat-related pregnancy risks.
• 📢 These cuts also endanger public education efforts normally delivered by the CDC regarding these risks.
• 🛰️ NOAA, responsible for tracking extreme heat and issuing warnings, may also be impacted by federal budget cuts.

Staying Safe During Extreme Heat

• 🏠 Pregnant women and healthcare providers should stay informed about heat risks and follow local weather reports.
• ❄️ Prioritize staying indoors in air-conditioned spaces; know where to go if home AC is unavailable.
• 🚶‍♀️ Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day; if outdoors, stay in the shade and consider activities during cooler morning or evening hours.
• 🥤 Stay hydrated and limit intake of beverages containing added sugar, caffeine, or alcohol.