How Climate Changes Affect Pregnancy
It seems hard to believe that climate changes in pregnancy can affect, but these can be detrimental to the proper development of the baby. The weather can have various effects on our body and health; the gestation stage is no exception to this. What are the risks it causes? These are some of the most common effects.
Effects of climate change on pregnancy
Climate changes in pregnancy can make extreme heat events more frequent and severe, which could lead to dehydration and kidney failure during pregnancy.
If this happens early in pregnancy, it can affect the baby’s development; if it happens later, it can cause premature labor and low birth weight.
On the other hand, there are also other risks that are produced by the interaction itself with the environment in which we live. These are the most frequent consequences of changes in the climate:
- Air pollution can cause respiratory illnesses in pregnant women.
- Climate change could worsen air quality due to high temperatures, which favor the formation of the ozone layer.
- Climate change increases the intensity of hurricanes and rains, making floods more frequent. They increase exposure to toxins and mold.
- The quality of the feed can be affected due to contamination; This can lead to stomach problems in pregnant women.
- Natural disasters can affect both pregnant women and women who have recently given birth, causing them serious stress. Thus, premature births can be generated.
Diseases generated by climate change
Climate changes in pregnancy can be really dangerous. There are many diseases that can be generated as a result of these natural phenomena, which by the way are really unavoidable. However, it is necessary to be alert to any symptoms of any of these diseases.
Rift Valley fever
As indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is a viral zoonosis that mainly affects animals, but can also reach humans. The virus is usually transmitted through the bite of the mosquito, which with the onset of the rains tends to spread more quickly.
Avian flu
Storms and dry spells don’t keep pace, they are changeable. So, it is not known when the rainy season will start or when the drought will appear. This directly influences the movements of the birds and their natural course, which causes the avian flu to spread.
Anger
It is commonly known as “the disease of the poor”, which is caused by the bacterium “ Vibrio cholerae”. It is usually transmitted through contaminated food and water. The generalized increase in water has as a consequence an increase in the spread of the disease.
Yellow fever
Changes in temperature and rains spread the arrival of these insects, which infect through bites. Currently there is a vaccine to prevent contagion, but everything will depend on what the family doctor indicates. It is best not to visit areas where it is most likely to be infected.
Intestinal parasites
These parasites are transmitted through aquatic environments. Changes in sea level and temperatures allow them to survive longer and this causes the infection to spread further.
Lyme’s desease
This bacteria is transmitted through tick bites, as well as others that are spread in the same way. Increasing temperatures make it possible for them to survive more easily. This disease is characterized by a rash and symptoms very similar to the flu.
Sleeping sickness
Sleeping sickness is transmitted by the tsetse fly, which inhabits 36 countries. Herds are often the most prone to infection, but so are wild animals and people.
This fly is usually found in rivers, lakes, forests and in the savannah. Climate changes greatly influence the spread of this disease.
In short, in pregnancy, it is essential that the mother remains healthy and distant from any type of disease that may affect her health or that of the baby. Noticing too many climate changes in the area you are in or an environment where viruses can easily spread, it is important to take preventive action.
