Extreme heat, worsened by climate change, is harming pregnant women and newborns by increasing rates of preterm birth, stillbirth, and pregnancy-related hypertension, according to Human Rights Watch. In Sierra Leone and other affected regions, women report exhaustion, disrupted sleep, and difficulty caring for infants due to high temperatures. Health workers also struggle to provide quality care in overheated, under-resourced facilities. Ongoing research and new tools aim to help, but experts stress that governments must act to address climate change and protect maternal and newborn health.
Compiled from: “New Research on Extreme Heat Harm During Pregnancy,” Human Rights Watch, May 27, 2025