Can Climate Change Increase Risk of Prolonged Pregnancy? Study Sheds Light - Video

New Curtin University research has found exposure to outdoor air pollution and extreme temperatures during pregnancy may increase the risk of prolonged pregnancy, offering new insights into the impact of climate change on maternal health. Findings are published in urban climate.

The study analysed data from nearly 400,000 births in Western Australia and found that higher exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and biothermal

stress was associated with pregnancies lasting beyond 41 weeks.

Lead author Dr Sylvester Dodzi Nyadanu from Curtin’s School of Population Health said

“Our findings show that exposure to air pollution and biothermal stress during pregnancy increases the likelihood of prolonged pregnancies, particularly among mothers over 35 years old, first-time mothers, those living in urban areas, and those with complicated pregnancies.

Dr Nyadanu said prolonged pregnancy can have serious health implications for both mother and baby, including the need for medical interventions such as labour induction or caesarean sections, increased risk of stillbirth, birth complications, child mortality, early childhood behavioural and emotional problems, and emotional impacts on families.

Reference: Nyadanu, S. D., Tessema, G. A., Dunne, J., Roy, A., & Pereira, G. (2025). Maternal climate-related exposures and prolonged pregnancy: Findings from a statewide population-based cohort study in Western Australia. Urban Climate, 59, 102316.