The ongoing heatwave has worsened the difficulties faced by everyone in the nation, but expecting mothers are particularly struggling.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant women are more susceptible to heat-related ailments such as fatigue and heatstroke compared to other females.
This is because their bodies must exert more effort to regulate both the mother's and the developing baby's temperatures.
Consequently, the present heatwave has introduced a heightened level of discomfort and challenge for numerous expecting mothers, including first-time expectant mother Sajida Islam Parul, a journalist expected to deliver in early May.
Despite already contending with a high-risk pregnancy due to gestational diabetes, thyroid complications, and cystic fibrosis, Sajida has been battling dehydration, aversion to food, and insomnia over the past week.
"I struggle to consume anything. I'm persistently thirsty, but the water is tepid, and I'm perspiring profusely, leading to symptoms resembling a cold and fever. I've been strictly advised against consuming chilled water," she revealed.
"I remain awake throughout the night, and due to sleep deprivation, I've noticed decreased movements in my baby. Additionally, I'm experiencing continuous skin irritation with blisters forming on my neck," she added.
This reporter has interviewed 15 pregnant women for this article -- all of them cited experiencing dehydration, insomnia, migraines, food aversion, constipation, and skin irritation during this heatwave.
More than three mentioned experiencing abdominal discomfort due to constipation.
According to obstetricians and gynecologists, expecting mothers endure heightened heat due to increased metabolic activity while nurturing a developing baby inside.
This frequently results in dehydration, restlessness, urinary tract infections, constipation, fever, and other complications.
Excessive heat can also lead to decreased fetal movement, potentially triggering premature labor and low birth weight in infants, cautioned the specialists.
According to an examination of 70 studies conducted since the mid-1990s and published in the British Medical Journal in 2020, for every 1 degree Celsius (1.8F) increase in temperature, the occurrence of stillbirths and premature deliveries rises by approximately 5 percent.
Professor Dr. Ferdousi Begum Flora, an obstetrician and gynecologist and former president of the Obstetrical & Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB), advised expecting mothers to maintain hydration, as excessive perspiration can deplete salt and minerals from their bodies.
"We advocate for ample water intake (at least 12 glasses daily) and consumption of fruit juice for non-diabetic mothers, in addition to selecting liquid-rich foods," she recommended.
"Furthermore, expecting mothers should remain indoors and get adequate rest, wear loose and comfortable attire, and undergo regular check-ups. If any complications arise, they should promptly seek medical attention."
Dr. Ferdousi also underscored the significance of avoiding sunlight exposure, unnecessary outings, and physical exertion that may induce excessive sweating.
Dr. Helena Jabeen, a former senior consultant at Mohammadpur Fertility Services & Training Centre and 100 Bedded Mother and Child Hospital -- presently in PRL but still fulfilling responsibilities -- informed The Daily Star that they have observed many expecting mothers presenting with symptoms of cold and fever following the recent Eid holidays, likely due to abrupt weather changes.
She also recommended maintaining proper hydration, donning breathable clothing, consuming small, easily digestible meals frequently throughout the day, taking regular showers, getting sufficient sleep, and avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight, especially at midday.
Dr. Jabeen emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical attention in emergency situations, as heat-related problems can pose dangers to pregnancy.
