Fleeing Barcelona when you get pregnant

BarcelonaPregnancy is a very important stage in a woman's life. Many changes occur on different levels—physical, emotional, social, etc.—and, especially, self-care becomes crucial. Some aspects of this attention to personal well-being are within the control of the pregnant woman and her immediate environment, but others, in many cases, are beyond their reach. This is the case with the effects of climate change and pollution, especially relevant in urban contexts, which can affect pregnancy and early childhood, and which are of increasing concern to these groups.

This is confirmed by the study Experiencing pregnancy in Barcelona: women and pregnant people facing the climate emergencyA study developed by the AFIN Group of the Anthropology Department at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) indicates that pollution, heat waves, and precarious housing conditions, among other factors, directly affect the well-being of pregnant women and families with children in the Catalan capital. The research project, led by Professor Diana Marre and funded by the Barcelona City Council in collaboration with the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, and the Hospital del Mar, aimed to understand how women experience environmental changes and the climate emergency, especially during pregnancy, and how these factors impact the daily lives and life plans of people living in the city.

“The women we surveyed told us that, despite making many efforts to avoid certain risks, the urban environment in Barcelona is organized in a way that isn't always the most suitable for experiencing such important stages as pregnancy and raising children,” notes Carolina Remorini, anthropologist and project coordinator. Thus, a large majority of the mothers surveyed in Barcelona indicated that they would like to live in a place with better environmental and living conditions. 15.3% of those surveyed have already moved in search of a healthier environment, 26.8% intend to do so, and 40.6% would like to, but cannot for financial reasons. In the in-depth interviews conducted for this study, numerous participants expressed a desire to move outside the city center or to the suburbs, in search of a more suitable environment for raising children. The study indicates that their reasons are related to expectations of what a healthy environment should be: reducing exposure to environmental and noise pollution, improving thermal comfort inside the home, and having more contact with nature and green spaces, which, according to the respondents, are insufficient and lack a source of drinking water. In the warmer months, many people also have to forgo the sound insulation provided by windows and open them to combat the sweltering nights. Therefore, whenever possible, they prefer streets with little crowding, tranquility, and an absence of recurring noises. "We found that most women have a very high level of environmental awareness. Furthermore, there is a latent idea of prevention and transgenerational change, since you are not only responsible for your health right now, but also for that of future generations," adds Remorini.

Causes and effects

Exposure to adverse environmental conditions resulting from climate change, such as extreme temperatures, droughts, or extreme weather events, increases the risk of pregnancy complications. As the study points out, for example, increased levels of stress hormones during pregnancy affect gene expression, which, in turn, can influence the baby's brain development. The same occurs with high levels of pollution. "It has been observed that all these pollutants reach the placenta and the fetus, and can cause hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (preeclampsia) and affect fetal growth, resulting in smaller babies. We are also seeing some changes in neurodevelopment based on ultrasound scans of fetuses living in more or less polluted areas," explains Lola Gómez Roig, head of the obstetrics and gynecology department at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona.

The research project also highlights that several medical studies have demonstrated that some chemicals present in the air, water, or objects we use every day can mimic the action of natural human hormones and even prevent them from functioning properly. These endocrine disruptors are linked to menstrual disorders, fertility problems, and cardiovascular diseases, among other effects on maternal and infant health, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, premature births, and even stillbirths. Furthermore, breast milk can contain residues of these contaminants, which affect the immune and digestive systems of newborns and have been linked to allergies and neurodevelopmental disorders. "And in the case of boys, we're seeing an alarmingly high rate of infertility. It's increasing dramatically, and many studies show that it's caused by pollutants," adds Montserrat Fàbregas, head of pediatric and newborn nursing and a member of the Health & Care research group at Hospital del Mar.

Care strategies

The study has revealed that many mothers employ strategies to protect their health and that of their children, but that these strategies are sometimes limited by financial constraints. Some, 27.2% of those surveyed, resort to temporary relocations such as trips to second homes or visits to relatives outside the city during the hottest months.

"Some mothers express their distress about living in poorly insulated apartments, especially given the harsh summers we're experiencing now. At the same time, many women tell us that Barcelona isn't a city designed for young children because of the amount of concrete, the heat, and the lack of green spaces." This anxiety leads them to implement various strategies, such as adapting their routes to avoid noisy streets with heavy traffic or little shade. Others reorganize household chores, adjust family routines, or make small changes to their consumption habits.

"As professionals, we also have a responsibility to understand all these issues so we can explain them better. In my case, I teach nursing at the university, and I think I'll have to talk to students about pollutants, climate change, and its impact on health," explains Fàbregas. In fact, the study participants, through their responses, demanded access to clear, understandable, and useful information on environmental health from healthcare professionals and institutions, since, as they stated, the information they currently receive is often scarce, contradictory, or impractical. In this sense, the research concludes with the urgent need to develop environmental health and risk prevention policies and strategies that do not rely exclusively on changing individual habits and that acknowledge social, economic, and territorial inequalities.