More hot days mean higher pregnancy risk, according to climate research
ALSO READ: In 2024, North Carolina saw 2nd warmest year and despite drought, Helene kept rainfall above average
The study tracked the number of days between 2020 and 2024 a country, state or city experienced temperatures above the 95th percentile of the 30-year average temperatures.
For example, in Charlotte, 95% of the time we should expect temperatures to be below 94 degrees. During the years in this study, the researchers found the city hit those temperatures about 13 times a year, 11 more days than researchers would expect to find if the city wasn't experiencing a warming trend due to climate change.
The more of these warmer days we see, the riskier things can get for vulnerable populations like young children and expectant mothers.
Dr. Melissa Woolworth, an academic specialist at OB/Gyn at Atrium Health, explains that due to the increased blood flow women experience during pregnancy, they're more at risk for heat stress and dehydration.
'If mom's really overheated, the body's really going to divert blood flow to the skin to try and cool her off better, and that's going to affect blood flow to the placenta,' she said. 'When mom's not feeling well, we definitely see that baby is suffering from those effects as well.'
This can lead to pre-term labor, lower weights and in the worst cases, higher risks of a stillborn birth. According to Woolworth, the risk is highest in the third trimester, but prolonged exposure to heat poses a threat at every stage of pregnancy.
'There are some effects for first trimester moms, as well,' she said. 'We know there's an increased risk for miscarriage and congenital anomalies.'
The Climate Central Study looked at 247 countries in total, finding the highest increases in pregnancy heat risk days in the Caribbean, parts of Central and South America as well as the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Across the United States, the study found on average pregnancy heat risk days doubled, but the worst increases were primarily concentrated in the Southwest.
To help pregnant patients cope with higher temperatures, Woolworth advises anyone expecting to limit their time outside, drink plenty of fluids and if they need to be outside to stick to shady areas.
She also advises medical providers to be aware of patients who may not have reliable access to air conditioning.
'A lot of our patients who are under resourced face these types of effects of dehydration and heat a little bit more profoundly,' she said. 'If they're feeling bad or their baby's not moving well, then definitely encourage them to seek medical attention.'
VIDEO: Heat and humidity to bring mosquitoes back to the Carolinas
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Journals
2 days ago
- Business Journals
A mother's path from patient to women's health advocate
When Lauren Burrow walked into her 20-week prenatal ultrasound appointment in March 2022, she had no idea that a routine scan would change the course of her pregnancy — and her career — forever. Lauren, a mother of two at the time, was preparing to welcome her third child. Having already experienced two cesarean births; she was receiving prenatal care with Dr. Laura Pekman at Atrium Health Women's Care Charlotte OB-GYN. Things were progressing normally, until a routine anatomy scan raised some concerns. To take a closer look, Pekman referred Lauren to Dr. Jennifer Philips at Atrium Health Women's Care Maternal Fetal Medicine, who confirmed a serious diagnosis: placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), a serious condition where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. Lauren's ultrasound revealed both placenta previa — where the placenta covers the cervix —and placenta percreta, the most severe form of PAS, in which the placenta penetrates through the uterus. 'Placenta accreta spectrum disorders used to be very rare, about 1 in 2,000 pregnancies, but we're now seeing them in about 1 in 500,' Philips says. 'It can be life-threatening if not caught early, which is why continuity of care and timely referrals, like Lauren's, are so critical.' expand Navigating a high-risk pregnancy Lauren hadn't experienced any symptoms, so the diagnosis came as a surprise. When she learned she had PAS, she took precautions like pelvic rest and lifting restrictions to minimize complications. At seven months pregnant, a sudden bleeding episode sent Lauren to the hospital for a five-day stay, where a specialized team worked around the clock to ensure both mother and baby were safe. 'The hardest part wasn't the physical challenges. It was the emotional weight, the unknowns,' Lauren says. 'But the entire team was incredibly sensitive and reassuring. They helped me feel supported and prepared.' A team effort Knowing the risks, Lauren's obstetric team developed a specialized delivery plan. At 35 weeks, Lauren underwent a cesarean hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus at the time of cesarean delivery of the baby, the standard and safest treatment for severe PAS cases. A treatment that saved Lauren's life as she welcomed her new, beautiful baby daughter. Dr. Melissa Woolworth at Atrium Health Myers Park OB-GYN, director of complex delivery planning and placenta accreta center of excellence, performed Lauren's surgery, with Pekman assisting. This approach allowed her to remain in the care of her trusted physician while benefiting from the specialized expertise of Atrium Health's PAS team. 'Lauren's surgery was quite challenging due to the placenta percreta. But with our carefully curated protocol in place, we were able to complete the operation without complications,' Woolworth said. Philips adds, 'She didn't require a blood transfusion, which is quite rare for this condition. This goes to show that her surgical team did an exceptional job.' Lauren's recovery, however, wasn't easy. 'It was much tougher physically than my previous c-sections,' Lauren says. 'And emotionally, I was working through birth trauma and the loss of fertility. Even though a hysterectomy had been my plan, facing that reality was still hard.' As she healed, Lauren leaned on the support of her care team — not just for her physical recovery, but also for her emotional well-being. Their compassion, presence and attentiveness made a lasting impression during one of the most vulnerable times in her life. expand That care didn't just help Lauren safely welcome her daughter — it ignited something deeper that was connected to her emotional, as well as physical, journey. Though she had studied pre-med in college, Lauren pursued a career in law, working as a biomedical and pharmaceutical patent attorney. But during each of her pregnancies, especially her experience with PAS, she felt an undeniable pull back to medicine. 'I couldn't ignore it anymore,' Lauren says. 'I realized I was staying in a career that didn't fulfill me when I had a clear passion for women's health.' While still practicing law, Lauren became a certified birth doula and began taking courses to prepare for medical school. She officially left the legal field at the end of 2023. Now she supports women in childbirth and is preparing to apply to medical school. Philips, who has since developed a close friendship with Lauren, couldn't be prouder. Lauren remains active in the world of advocacy and has included both Woolworth and Philips in these events. 'It's been such a beautiful extension of our relationship to continue to work together to support maternal and reproductive health,' Woolworth says. 'It's incredibly rewarding to see how her experience shaped her purpose,' Philips says. 'Atrium Health's approach to maternal care is deeply rooted in collaboration, and Lauren's story is a testament to how that teamwork makes a difference — not just in outcomes, but in lives.' Today, Lauren is healthy and thriving, raising her three children — two sons and her youngest, affectionately known as her 'percreta princess,' who is now three years old. 'I'm just so grateful,' Lauren says. 'Not only did Atrium Health help save my life, they helped give me direction. The care I received was everything I needed, both as a patient and as a person.' Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is an integrated, nonprofit health system with more than 70,000 teammates serving patients at 40 hospitals and more than 1,400 care locations.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Summer nights are getting warmer due to climate change, sparking health concerns
When you typically think about extreme heat, a sweltering, sunny day may come first to mind. But climate scientists are also sounding the alarm on warm summer nights, saying they are quietly becoming a worrisome consequence of climate change -- and a serious public health concern. When nighttime temperatures don't drop low enough relative to peak daytime heat, it is harder for people to cool off, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that analyzes and reports on climate science. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, with heat waves responsible for more deaths than other extreme weather events like tornadoes, flooding, or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. This week, more than 200 million people across the U.S. from South Dakota to Florida and up the East Coast to Boston, are on alert for widespread, dangerous heat. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for large cities from Iowa to Florida, including New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Savannah, Raleigh, Charleston and Sioux Falls. In these areas, feels-like temperatures are forecast to soar into the triple digits during the afternoon hours, with the dangers remaining even after the sun sets. A dangerous temperature trend From 1970 to 2024, Climate Central analyzed average summer nighttime temperatures in 241 locations across the U.S. The organization found that these temperatures have warmed in nearly all locations, increasing by 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit on average. MORE: Heat indices could hit 120 as sweltering temperatures grip eastern half of US Looking to the future, warm summer nights are expected to become increasingly frequent in the coming decades, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In many regions across the country, the EPA reports nighttime temperatures are projected to remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit more often. Health risks The most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures, the EPA warns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes these warnings, saying if the air stays too warm at night, the body faces extra strain trying to regulate body temperature. Without this crucial drop in temperature, vulnerable populations -- including elderly people, children, and those with pre-existing conditions -- face heightened health risks, according to the agency. MORE: Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Safety tips as dangerous temperatures hit US Prolonged exposure to high heat in the evenings has been linked to poorer sleep quality, which can impair immune function, exacerbate mental health issues, and increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, according to the CDC. While extreme heat and triple-digit temperatures frequently are the focus of attention and grab headlines, the lack of adequate overnight cooling is also a serious concern that amplifies the impacts of heat. Overnight cooling is essential for not just the human body, but infrastructure and ecosystems to recover after a hot day. Cities feel heightened temperatures Warmer overnight temperatures are also fueled by urban development. Cities with heat-retaining concrete and asphalt are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures when vegetation is lost to more paved surfaces and buildings, according to the EPA. Compared with surrounding rural areas, urban locations have higher overall temperatures, especially at night. This is known as the "urban heat island" effect. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases and increased atmospheric moisture are major contributors to the ongoing rise in nighttime temperatures seen in recent decades. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which functions like an insulating layer, trapping heat and significantly limiting the amount of cooling that can occur at night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
5 days ago
Summer nights are getting warmer due to climate change, sparking health concerns
When you typically think about extreme heat, a sweltering, sunny day may come first to mind. But climate scientists are also sounding the alarm on warm summer nights, saying they are quietly becoming a worrisome consequence of climate change -- and a serious public health concern. When nighttime temperatures don't drop low enough relative to peak daytime heat, it is harder for people to cool off, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that analyzes and reports on climate science. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, with heat waves responsible for more deaths than other extreme weather events like tornadoes, flooding, or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. This week, more than 200 million people across the U.S. from South Dakota to Florida and up the East Coast to Boston, are on alert for widespread, dangerous heat. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for large cities from Iowa to Florida, including New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Savannah, Raleigh, Charleston and Sioux Falls. In these areas, feels-like temperatures are forecast to soar into the triple digits during the afternoon hours, with the dangers remaining even after the sun sets. A dangerous temperature trend From 1970 to 2024, Climate Central analyzed average summer nighttime temperatures in 241 locations across the U.S. The organization found that these temperatures have warmed in nearly all locations, increasing by 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Looking to the future, warm summer nights are expected to become increasingly frequent in the coming decades, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In many regions across the country, the EPA reports nighttime temperatures are projected to remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit more often. Health risks The most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures, the EPA warns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes these warnings, saying if the air stays too warm at night, the body faces extra strain trying to regulate body temperature. Without this crucial drop in temperature, vulnerable populations -- including elderly people, children, and those with pre-existing conditions -- face heightened health risks, according to the agency. MORE: Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Safety tips as dangerous temperatures hit US Prolonged exposure to high heat in the evenings has been linked to poorer sleep quality, which can impair immune function, exacerbate mental health issues, and increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, according to the CDC. While extreme heat and triple-digit temperatures frequently are the focus of attention and grab headlines, the lack of adequate overnight cooling is also a serious concern that amplifies the impacts of heat. Overnight cooling is essential for not just the human body, but infrastructure and ecosystems to recover after a hot day. Cities feel heightened temperatures Warmer overnight temperatures are also fueled by urban development. Cities with heat-retaining concrete and asphalt are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures when vegetation is lost to more paved surfaces and buildings, according to the EPA. Compared with surrounding rural areas, urban locations have higher overall temperatures, especially at night. This is known as the "urban heat island" effect. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases and increased atmospheric moisture are major contributors to the ongoing rise in nighttime temperatures seen in recent decades. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which functions like an insulating layer, trapping heat and significantly limiting the amount of cooling that can occur at night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
