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Miscarriages, preterm births: Extreme heat risks US pregnant farmworkers; immigration fears silence them

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Pregnant agricultural workers in the U.S. are increasingly at risk as climate change drives higher temperatures, with low-income Latino immigrants among the hardest hit, reported news agency AP .

“Some days it feels like the sun is burning you alive. I’ve wanted to leave this work, but I have to fight for my children,” one Florida nursery worker told AP.

Heat exposure during pregnancy has been linked to miscarriages, preterm births, stillbirths, low birth weight, and other severe complications. Experts say existing protections are limited and poorly enforced.

Last summer, Clarisa Lugo, eight months pregnant, collapsed while inspecting corn and soybean fields in Illinois as the heat index reached 105°F (40.5°C). She experienced vomiting and weakness but recovered along with her baby. Others have faced tragic outcomes.

In Florida, one nursery worker lost her baby at four months, and another gave birth prematurely at seven months, citing dehydration and overexertion.

Temperatures are rising across major farm states: California is nearly 3°F (1.67°C) hotter since 1900, Iowa over 1°F (0.56°C), and Florida more than 2°F (1.11°C). Even small increases strain the body’s cooling system. Farmworkers face more than 35 times the risk of heat-related deaths compared with other occupations, reported AP.

Immigration fears and limited rural healthcare access further worsen the problem. “Patients are missing vital care because they’re too afraid to travel or seek help,” said Dr. Katherine Gabriel-Cox , an obstetrician at Salud Para La Gente .

Poor shade, limited water, and inadequate bathroom facilities compound the risks, particularly for women who have experienced harassment.

Some farm workers also told AP that employers refused to provide accommodations, water, or protective gear against heat and pesticides, forcing them to continue working during pregnancy out of necessity.
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