Heatwave pregnancy risks: AIIMS doctor's essential safety tips
Synopsis
An AIIMS Delhi obstetrician has issued a pointed warning: heatwave conditions pose a compounded danger to pregnant women, who face elevated dehydration and exhaustion risk. With Gujarat recording temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius and no relief in sight, doctors are urging expectant mothers to hydrate with ORS and electrolytes, rest frequently, and stay indoors during peak heat hours.
Key Takeaways
Anubhuti Rana of AIIMS Delhi has warned that heatwave conditions significantly heighten health risks for pregnant women.
Expectant mothers are advised to drink water, coconut water, shikanji , and ORS solutions, and to eat fresh food with frequent rest.
Pregnant women must avoid going outdoors between 12 noon and 4 pm during heatwave conditions.
Neeraj Nishchal (AIIMS) cautioned that plain water alone is insufficient — ORS or electrolyte solutions are more effective during extreme heat.
Piyush Ranjan (AIIMS) warned that dehydration can escalate to heatstroke ( 'loo lagna' ) and even loss of consciousness.
Gujarat recorded peak temperatures of 43.8°C in Surendranagar; the weather department forecasts no major relief over the next week.
With temperatures surging across India, Dr. Anubhuti Rana, Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has flagged heatwave conditions as a serious health risk for pregnant women, urging expectant mothers to adopt targeted precautions immediately.
Why Pregnancy and Heatwaves Are a Dangerous Combination
'Pregnancy is anyway a special condition for women where there is an increased demand for the mother and the baby,' Dr. Rana said. She noted that heatwave conditions compound this vulnerability significantly. 'Heatwave can cause exhaustion and dehydration, which affects both the mother and the foetus,' she added. The dual physiological burden — supporting a growing foetus while managing extreme heat — makes pregnant women considerably more susceptible than the general population.
What Pregnant Women Should Do
Dr. Rana recommended that expectant mothers drink generous quantities of water, coconut water, and shikanji (a traditional lemon-based drink), and supplement their intake with salt and lemon water to replenish electrolytes lost through sweating. She also advised frequent rest breaks and consumption of fresh, nutritious food. At home, she recommended opting for soft and loose clothing to reduce body heat retention. 'Such precautions are manageable,' she emphasised.
Avoid Peak Heat Hours Strictly
Most critically, Dr. Rana advised pregnant women to avoid stepping outdoors between 12 noon and 4 pm — the peak sunlight window — without exception. This recommendation aligns with broader public health advisories issued during heatwave alerts across Indian states.
Broader Medical Warnings from AIIMS
Dr. Piyush Ranjan, Additional Professor in the Department of Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, separately cautioned that cases of dehydration and heatstroke rise sharply whenever temperatures climb. He warned that dehydration can escalate into heatstroke — commonly referred to as 'loo lagna' — and in severe cases may cause loss of consciousness. Dr. Neeraj Nishchal, Professor in the same department, stressed that plain water alone is insufficient during extreme heat. 'During extreme heat, the body loses not just water but also salt through sweating. Therefore, ORS solutions or electrolytes are considered more beneficial,' he said.
Heatwave Conditions Across India
Temperatures have been particularly intense in Gujarat, where Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar recorded highs of 43.3 degrees Celsius, and Surendranagar touched a maximum of 43.8 degrees Celsius. According to the meteorological department, temperatures are likely to remain elevated over the coming week, with only isolated light-to-moderate rainfall expected in parts of Gujarat and Saurashtra. With no significant relief forecast, health authorities are expected to maintain advisories for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, the elderly, and outdoor workers.
Point of View
But the deeper concern is structural: India's public health infrastructure has no standardised protocol for communicating heatwave risks to pregnant women at scale, leaving awareness dependent on sporadic media cycles. With heatwave intensity increasing year on year, a one-time advisory is not enough — antenatal care guidelines need to formally incorporate seasonal heat risk counselling. The fact that three senior AIIMS faculty members are speaking out simultaneously signals that clinical caseloads are already reflecting the strain. Policymakers should treat this as a prompt to issue coordinated state-level advisories, not just a seasonal news story.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are pregnant women at higher risk during a heatwave?
Pregnancy increases the body's physiological demands for both the mother and the foetus, making it harder to regulate temperature and maintain hydration. According to Dr. Anubhuti Rana of AIIMS Delhi, heatwave conditions can cause exhaustion and dehydration that adversely affect both mother and foetus.
What should pregnant women drink during a heatwave?
Doctors recommend water, coconut water, shikanji, and ORS or electrolyte solutions. Plain water alone is insufficient, as the body loses both water and salt through sweating — making electrolyte replenishment essential, according to Dr. Neeraj Nishchal of AIIMS Delhi.
What hours should pregnant women avoid going outside during a heatwave?
Dr. Anubhuti Rana advises pregnant women to strictly avoid stepping outdoors between 12 noon and 4 pm, when sunlight and heat intensity are at their peak.
What is heatstroke or 'loo lagna' and how serious is it?
Heatstroke, commonly called 'loo lagna' in India, is a severe progression of dehydration caused by prolonged heat exposure. Dr. Piyush Ranjan of AIIMS Delhi warned that in serious cases it can cause loss of consciousness, making early hydration and rest critical preventive measures.
How bad is the current heatwave in India?
Temperatures have been particularly severe in Gujarat, with Surendranagar recording a high of 43.8 degrees Celsius and Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar touching 43.3 degrees Celsius. The meteorological department has forecast that temperatures will remain elevated over the next week, with only isolated rainfall expected in parts of Gujarat and Saurashtra.
