How to stay safe in the summer heat while pregnant

Heat takes a toll on our bodies, and pregnant patients are even more vulnerable to excessive heat.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that persistent high temperatures during the summer likely contribute to more premature births, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
In North Texas, temperatures have reached triple digits for days on end, excessive heat warnings have been issued and last week, Dallas County confirmed the first heat-related death of the summer. Scientists say the heat is only getting worse as climate change and global warming contribute to higher temperatures.
Here’s how to protect your health and the health of your baby during the hottest days of summer.
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The CDC recommends pregnant people stay in the shade as much as possible and wait until the coolest parts of the day to go outdoors. Stay in air conditioning, if possible, and drink plenty of water.
Pregnant people should wear light, loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs, a hat with a brim that shades the face, ears and back of the neck, sunscreen and sunglasses, according to the CDC.
The center recommends using fans, but only if indoor temperatures are less than 90 degrees. In temperatures above 90, a fan can actually increase body temperature.
Heat can make air quality worse, according to the CDC, and poor air quality can worsen symptoms. If the Air Quality Index is more than 100, consider limiting outdoor activity.
Dallas County Health and Human Services offers services to protect low-income residents in the county from heat through the Weatherization Assistance Program. Residents can apply for home repairs and installations to help reduce their energy usage and utility costs.
Residents are eligible once every 15 years and can apply for air conditioning unit repairs, solar screen installation, duct work and more, according to the county’s website.
The county will also receive funding for the Healthy Start program, according to Dr. Phillip Huang, the director for the county’s health and human services department. Healthy Start is a federal program that seeks to help women, babies and families receive better care and access resources to improve their health. The county applied for a grant for Healthy Start and was notified this summer that Dallas will be awarded the funds, Huang said.
“We are trying to increase our maternal child health activities,” Dr. Huang said. “[Healthy Start] is something that is new … to help improve health outcomes before, during and after pregnancy.”
The City of Dallas encourages residents to use any of the city’s public facilities for temporary relief from the heat during business hours, such as the Dallas Public Library or the city’s recreation centers.
Other organizations are also stepping in to help. The Salvation Army operates cooling centers throughout North Texas. Cornerstone Baptist Church is offering free air conditioning units to eligible applicants. OurCalling, an outreach center near downtown Dallas, offers resources to protect from heat and operates a women’s center for women experiencing homelessness.
More work needs to be done to learn how heat affects pregnancies and how to protect the most vulnerable groups, according to Lyndsey Darrow, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Nevada. Her research found that heat waves in U.S. cities were associated with earlier births.
“There’s a vulnerable population that we simply cannot identify with ease,” Darrow said. “I think that’s an interesting area for more work to really understand the vulnerable subgroups and tailor ways for them to have mitigating options.”