Janet's story

Communities report that extreme heat during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period affects women’s health, limits access to care, and disrupts daily tasks like cooking and infant care. Homes and hospitals are often described as “unbearably hot”.

Researchers Dr Adelaide Lusambili and Dr Cherie Part are investigating these challenges. Their study monitors temperature and humidity in homes and hospitals, while conducting regular interviews and health check-ups with mothers to understand the impact of heat on maternal and newborn health.

Janet, a mother of five, is one of the participants in this study. Each week, the research team visits her home to check her baby’s health, collect her diaries, and gather data from two monitoring devices - one inside her home and one outside - tracking heat and humidity levels.

Janet shared her experience with us (translated from Swahili):

“The heat has hugely affected me and my child during my pregnancy, delivery and after birth.

Whilst I was pregnant, I was in pain most of the time and couldn’t walk well, especially when doing household chores.

When I was giving birth, it was too hot and I also didn’t have enough water. I was in an almost semi-conscious state and had to be put on a drip - I was given three bottles of IV fluid.

Now, my baby cries a lot because of the heat. Whenever it’s a bit colder, her crying reduces - that’s been the trend even now.

This means both of our sleeping patterns are very erratic - when it’s hot, the baby keeps crying, and so it’s difficult to sleep.

I also have four other children, aged 14, 12, eight and five. It’s stressful balancing taking care of the baby as well as all the other family members.

One of the most glaring difficulties is that our nearest health facility is very far - around seven kilometres away. Going there is strenuous, especially with a baby on your back, so you have to take a motorbike. Some pregnant women in my community have ended up delivering on their way to the facility.”

Taking part in the research project

For Janet, participating in the study has brought reassurance. Weekly visits from the research team mean her baby’s weight, feeding patterns and other health markers are regularly checked. If anything isn’t right, she knows immediately - reducing her anxiety about her youngest child’s wellbeing.

Janet also values having her voice heard. She explained that she felt safe taking part, understood her rights, and appreciated being able to share her opinions. The monitoring equipment outside her home has even sparked curiosity among neighbours, helping spread awareness about the study.

What’s next?

The research team is working with dozens of mothers across rural Kenya, comparing different home structures and building types. Their findings could help identify designs that keep homes cooler - vital knowledge as heatwaves become more frequent and intense.

By listening to women like Janet, this research aims to shape practical solutions that protect maternal and newborn health in a changing climate.

Dr Cherie Part said, "Our research addresses the urgent health risks posed by extreme heat, to mothers and babies in rural Kilifi, Kenya. As global temperatures continue to rise, we’re gathering evidence and finding solutions to help vulnerable families and shape policies for climate resilient housing."