• Extreme heat could raise risk of preterm births and stillbirths
• Drought, food insecurity and disease outbreaks may worsen maternal health
• Midwives step up advice for pregnant women amid harsh weather

Maternal and foetal health could come under increasing pressure as the country grapples with the effects of the prevailing El Niño weather conditions, with extreme heat, drought, food insecurity and disease outbreaks potentially raising the risk of serious pregnancy complications, a leading obstetrician and gynaecologist has warned.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (3), former President of the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (OBGYNs), Prof Sanath Lanerolle, said that although El Niño is not a disease but a climatic phenomenon, it could directly and indirectly affect maternal and foetal health.

He said that the effects could occur mainly through extreme heat, drought and flooding, water shortages, food insecurity, an increase in infectious diseases and disruptions to healthcare services.

“Extreme heat can cause dehydration during pregnancy. Heat stress and dehydration can contribute to uterine contractions and preterm labour. Exposure to heat has also been associated with preterm births, stillbirths, low birth weight and gestational diabetes mellitus,” he said.

Prof Lanerolle said that food insecurity could cause malnutrition due to shortages of calories, protein, iron and other micronutrients, which could lead to maternal anaemia and foetal growth restriction.

He said that lactating mothers could also be affected by inadequate hydration and nutrition.

“Food insecurity can cause maternal malnutrition and reduced energy levels. This can affect breastfeeding, reduce milk production and result in mothers producing less breast milk. Mothers should have adequate safe fluids, rest and breastfeeding support,” he said.

Prof Lanerolle said that water scarcity could reduce access to sanitation and hygiene, increasing the risk of diarrhoea and other water-borne infections among pregnant women.

“Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases are common, while diarrhoea and other water-borne infections could also increase due to the El Niño crisis,” he said.

He said that disruptions to healthcare services caused by drought, flooding, transport difficulties, electricity failures and water shortages could result in mothers reducing their clinic visits.

“This would reduce access to medicines and could also lead to fewer hospital deliveries,” he said.

Fielding questions, Prof Lanerolle said that such complications had not been reported in Sri Lanka so far, although there are affected areas such as Anuradhapura and several other parts of the country.

“If such conditions occur, mothers should be protected from excessive heat. They should also be given more beverages, including water and nutritious drinks containing adequate calories,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President of the Government Midwifery Services Association, Devika Kodithuwakku, said that midwives are currently placing greater emphasis on educating pregnant women on how to protect themselves from the prevailing weather conditions.

“At every clinic conducted by midwives, we provide health education talks. These days, we are paying greater attention to advising pregnant women on how they should take care of themselves due to the prevailing weather conditions,” she said.

She said that pregnant women are advised to drink more water and to go out for work only when necessary.

“Some people can’t drink water properly. Therefore, we advise them that it does not have to be only water. They can have a good-quality drink, such as a drink made with oranges, or something similar,” she said.

She further said that attention is also being given to their nutritional status.