Increasing global temperatures threaten gains in maternal and newborn health in Africa: a review of impacts and an adaptation framework

Anatomical, physiological and socio‐cultural changes during pregnancy and childbirth increase vulnerability of women and newborns to high ambient temperatures. Extreme heat can overwhelm thermoregulatory mechanisms in pregnant women, especially during labour, cause dehydration and endocrine dysfunction, and compromise placental function. Clinical sequela include hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and stillbirth. The overall package of interventions, ideally selected following cost‐effectiveness and thermal modelling trade‐offs, needs to be co‐designed and co‐delivered with affected communities, and take advantage of existing maternal and child health platforms. Robust‐applied research will set the stage for programmes across Africa that target pregnant women.