El Niño will increase risk of death in childbirth for millions, say midwives

Effects of extreme weather expected in countries that already have high maternal and newborn death ratesEl Niño stokes a higher risk of death in childbirth for millions of women in the world’s harshest crisis zones, midwives have warned. Converging waves of weather – floods, cyclones and extreme heat – forecast to peak in the coming months will prove fatal for many, especially pregnant women, who face being cut off from hospital when in labour.