Balanced News: Extreme heat is linked to higher risk of life-threatening delivery complications for pregnant people

Pregnant people exposed to extreme heat are at a higher risk of developing life-threatening complications during labor and delivery, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study, which analyzed over 400,000 pregnancies in Southern California between 2007 and 2018, found that both short- and long-term exposure to environmental heat during pregnancy was associated with severe maternal morbidity. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions for pregnant individuals with lower education levels who may have limited knowledge of the risks posed by extreme heat. Additionally, the study found associations between heat exposure and cardiovascular events during pregnancy.