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PREGNANT WOMEN AT HIGHER RISK OF EARLY-TERM LABOUR ON ABNORMALLY HOT DAYS
The increased frequency and intensity of heat waves due to climate change puts women at a higher risk of experiencing preterm and early-term labor
By Sigrid Vestergaard Frandsen, Director of Environmental Health
04/30/2026
Heat waves is one potential risk factor in early-term births because heat exposure can increase the mother's level of oxytocin, a hormone that regulates labour. One study compiled 56 million birth records from the U.S. between 1969-1988
Source: WMO 'State of the Global Climate' Report 2025
Air conditioning is likely the solution to this problem, but will
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