Climate Change and Women’s Health: Why Pregnancy Must Be Part of the Climate Conversation

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Sadia Khalid, a Scientist-Physician (MBBS, MD) at Tallinn University of Technologye. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

The climate crisis is no longer only an environmental issue. It is a growing public health emergency, and one of its most overlooked consequences is the threat it poses to women’s health, especially during pregnancy. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, polluted air and water, and food insecurity are affecting maternal and fetal health in ways that are increasingly difficult to ignore. For healthcare professionals, policymakers, and societies at large, the message is clear: protecting pregnant women must become central to climate action.

A growing body of research shows that climate change influences pregnancy outcomes both directly and indirectly. Extreme heat, for example, has been associated with miscarriage, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter and black carbon, has also been linked to low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and developmental complications. Meanwhile, polluted water and chemical exposure from industrial contaminants such as PFAS, phthalates, and BPA add to the burden, affecting fertility and obstetric outcomes. These risks do not exist in isolation. They often work together with poverty, poor nutrition, and limited access to healthcare, which makes the burden even heavier in low-resource settings.

Climate-related disasters deepen these problems. Floods, droughts, wildfires, and heatwaves can interrupt prenatal care, damage hospitals, disrupt supply chains, and increase stress in pregnant women. In some cases, the health effects are long-lasting, not only for mothers but also for babies exposed in the womb. The evidence is still developing, but what is already known is concerning enough to demand urgent action.

At the same time, healthcare systems themselves contribute to the climate problem. Globally, the healthcare sector is responsible for a significant share of carbon emissions. This creates a difficult but important reality: the systems meant to protect health must also become part of the solution. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service has become a leading example with its net zero strategy, showing that large-scale decarbonization is possible. Changes such as low-carbon anaesthesia, virtual consultations, reusable equipment, and greener surgical practices can reduce emissions without compromising care.

Obstetric and gynaecological services have opportunities to lead. Caesarean sections, labour analgesia, and surgical procedures all carry environmental costs, especially when single-use materials and high-emission gases are involved. Replacing disposable items where safe, reducing waste, and choosing lower-emission anaesthetic options can make a meaningful difference. Even seemingly small changes, when adopted across entire health systems, can reduce the carbon footprint of maternity care.

But sustainability should never come at the expense of women’s comfort or dignity. Women should not be asked to bear extra burdens in the name of green healthcare. Sustainable care must remain patient-centred, safe, and equitable. Innovations such as improved speculum design, self-sampling methods, and better-informed decision aids show that environmental responsibility and quality care can go hand in hand.

Professional leadership is essential. Organisations such as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are already highlighting the need to address climate change as a women’s health issue. Their work reflects a broader truth: climate change is not only an environmental or technical challenge, but also a matter of justice, rights, and equity. Women, particularly those in poorer communities, are more vulnerable because they often have fewer resources to adapt, recover, and protect themselves.

Healthcare professionals have a vital role to play as educators and advocates. They can help patients understand climate-related health risks, encourage sustainable choices, and champion policies that protect maternal and fetal health. They can also serve as “green champions” within hospitals, promoting waste reduction, energy efficiency, and climate-conscious practice. Just as importantly, they can speak to policymakers about the need for cleaner air, better disaster planning, stronger nutrition support, and resilient healthcare systems.

The future of women’s health cannot be separated from the future of the planet. Climate change is already shaping pregnancy outcomes, exposing inequalities, and testing the limits of health systems. Responding to it will require more than individual action. It will require coordinated policy, scientific research, institutional change, and international cooperation. If climate justice is to mean anything, it must include the right of every woman to a safe pregnancy and every child to a healthy start in life.

The climate crisis is a health crisis. And women’s health, especially maternal health, must be placed at the heart of the response.

About the author

Sadia Khalid is a Scientist-Physician (MBBS, MD) at Tallinn University of Technology. She is driven by a commitment to advance public health and scientific understanding. With research interests spanning molecular medicine, infectious diseases, bacteriology, hepatology, and gastroenterology, she aims to contribute meaningful, evidence-based insights that support health, safety, and community awareness.