The climate crisis is undermining the work of midwives around the world, according to a new survey of 74 midwives from more than 30 countries done by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).

The report highlights several hazards: from flooding and wildfires cutting communities off from midwives’ care, including deliveries and contraception, to pregnancy nutrition being degraded by drought. Midwives spoke about sweltering heat adding to their exhaustion as well as contributing to increasing rates of preterm birth and heat rash in newborns.

Human Rights Watch provided support for the survey, based on our work on climate and reproductive rights.

ICM sees how midwives’ work is interlocked with the climate crisis, and the group wants more resources to support midwives; both because essential midwifery services may “have the potential to save lives of women and children at a scale unmatched by other health interventions” even in “normal” circumstances, but also because midwives are well positioned to be a key part of the climate crisis response. At the same time, ICM urges states to meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement and other climate treaties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.