Amit Baijnath Garg
As Rajasthan swelters under relentless heat waves, the toll on pregnant women is profound, amplifying health risks and straining grassroots healthcare efforts. In this arid state, where temperatures soar to punishing highs, the Medical and Health Department has issued advisories to mitigate the crisis. Yet, for pregnant women and the ASHA workers tasked with their care, the heat wave presents a formidable challenge, complicating access to essential medical services and exacerbating risks like premature births and fetal developmental issues.
A Growing Threat to Maternal Health
Doctors warn that heat waves disproportionately impact pregnant women, triggering dehydration, exhaustion, and high blood pressure. These conditions can lead to severe complications, including premature delivery, low birth weight, and impaired fetal development due to reduced blood flow to the placenta. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, heat waves claimed 6,751 lives nationwide between 2009 and 2022, while the National Disaster Management Authority estimates over 11,000 deaths, underscoring the crisis’s severity. In Rajasthan, where heat waves are among the country’s most intense, pregnant women face heightened vulnerabilities.
ASHA workers, the backbone of rural healthcare, bear the brunt of these challenges. Tasked with ensuring pregnant women receive regular checkups, vaccinations, and counseling, they encounter resistance from both expectant mothers and their families. Rekha Joshi, an ASHA worker at Green Park Anganwadi in Jaipur, explains, “Many women conceal their pregnancies for the first eight weeks, especially in summer, finding hospital visits in this heat daunting.” Convincing families, particularly mothers-in-law, to prioritize early checkups before the critical 12-week mark is an uphill battle, as the scorching weather discourages travel.
Grassroots Struggles and Resilience
The reluctance to seek care is compounded by cultural and logistical barriers. Gyanbati Sharma, an ASHA worker in Jamdoli, Jaipur, notes that pregnant women often suffer from low hemoglobin, iron, and calcium deficiencies during summer, necessitating urgent medical attention. “We recommend hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon, and buttermilk,” she says, emphasizing the need for vaccinations and seasonal diets. Yet, persuading families to comply remains a struggle, with many viewing hospital visits as an unnecessary burden in the heat.
For pregnant women, the physical toll is undeniable. Monu Kumari Saini, a 23-year-old from Lavan, Dausa, who recently delivered at Bassi’s Community Health Center, recalls battling dizziness and dehydration during her pregnancy. “The hospital staff took good care,” she says, now recovering with her newborn. Similarly, 21-year-old Dholi Meena of Nayagaon, Bassi, endured weakness and thirst while pregnant with her second child. “Traveling in this heat was exhausting, but I’m better now,” she shares.
Hospital Efforts Under Pressure
Hospitals are stepping up to meet the crisis. Nursing officer Sushila Sharma emphasizes the importance of maintaining normal body temperatures for mothers and babies, as failure to do so risks complications. Facilities like coolers, clean water, and nutritious meals—milk, porridge, fruits, and juice—are prioritized for pregnant women. Dr. Vijendra Singh Meena, medical in-charge at Bassi, confirms that staff are trained to handle heat-related symptoms like excessive thirst, headaches, and fainting. “We ensure ORS, essential medicines, and cooling facilities are available,” he says, urging pregnant women to seek immediate care for any distress.
Expert Warnings and Solutions
Medical experts highlight the risks of heat exposure during pregnancy, including high blood pressure, eclampsia, uterine bleeding, and early cervical dilation, all of which elevate the chances of premature birth or miscarriage. Prolonged heat can also harm mental health, causing irritability and anxiety. To counter these risks, experts advocate hydration, light clothing, avoiding sun exposure, and a nutritious diet. Yoga and exercise are recommended to bolster resilience, alongside urgent policy action to address climate-driven heat waves.
A Call for Collective Action
As Rajasthan grapples with escalating temperatures, the plight of pregnant women underscores the need for robust public health measures. ASHA workers, hospital staff, and families must work together to prioritize maternal care, while governments are urged to innovate solutions for climate resilience. In this searing heat, safeguarding pregnant women is not just a medical necessity—it’s a moral imperative.
(Note: Amit Baijnath Garg is an acclaimed journalist-writer based in Jaipur, Rajasthan, recognized with international and national awards for his incisive reporting on social and health issues. Residing at Raj Aangan, Shri Rani Nagar, Jaipur, he continues to shine a light on critical challenges facing vulnerable communities.)
