Preparing for Winter: Black Maternal Health & Seasonal Stressors

As the year winds down and temperatures begin to drop, many people prepare for the transition into winter. At Spelman, I notice it every year: the energy that fills the air at the start of the fall semester slowly fades into something quieter and heavier. I always assumed the stress of finals and the emotional weight of the year coming to an end were the main reasons November and December felt overwhelming, but as I have learned more about health patterns in colder months, I have begun to understand that the weather itself plays a larger role than I once realized. For Black women, especially those who are pregnant, these seasonal shifts can have profound effects on our well-being.

Growing up, November and December always felt stressful, but I never considered how the cold weather might impact both my emotional and physical health. After spending most of my life in Houston, where winter is brief and barely noticeable, I never gave much thought to how the climate affects our daily lives. Living in Atlanta has made this clearer. Even though the winters are relatively mild, they are still cold enough to make simple tasks uncomfortable. For individuals without reliable transportation, walking to appointments, clinics, or even the bus stop becomes more daunting when the wind stings and the air is brisk. When someone is pregnant, already managing fatigue, nausea, sensitivity to cold, or joint pain, that discomfort can be magnified, turning a routine check-up into a major challenge.

A study from the National Institutes of Health found clear connections between cold weather and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including increased rates of preterm birth and variations in labor patterns based on temperature exposure. Seasonal changes can impact mood, stress levels, vitamin D levels, physical activity, and even access to regular prenatal care. For Black women, who already face structural barriers in maternal healthcare, the added weight of seasonal stressors can deepen disparities.

My experience as a labor support volunteer at Emory University Hospital Midtown has made these seasonal differences even more visible. During the warmer months, many of the pregnant women I encounter seem lighter, more relaxed, and more willing to smile or laugh through early labor. The atmosphere in the rooms feels brighter. As the weather shifts into colder temperatures, however, I notice subtle changes. The women I support in the winter months often arrive carrying a heavier emotional load. Their expressions are more tense, their voices quieter, and their movements more fatigued. These changes are not dramatic, but they are consistent enough to be noticeable, and they reflect how winter can intensify feelings of isolation, sadness, and stress, all of which can affect maternal health.

Winter also brings broader challenges. Transportation becomes more uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe, particularly for those who rely on walking or public transit to reach their appointments. Healthcare systems often experience holiday staffing shortages, longer wait times, and reduced availability, which makes it harder to maintain consistent prenatal care. Emotional demands increase as families prepare for the holidays, manage financial stress, and navigate the expectations that come with the end of the year. For Black women, who often hold significant emotional and caregiving responsibilities, these pressures compound the physical realities of winter.

Recognizing these seasonal influences allows us to rethink how we support Black mothers during this time of year. Community-based programs can offer warmth and connection during a season that can feel isolating. Partnerships that offer transportation assistance during colder months can help ensure that women continue to receive the care they need. Conversations about mental health, vitamin D deficiency, and the importance of consistent prenatal visits become even more essential. Year-round, culturally competent doula care and labor support programs can help bridge the gaps that often widen during the winter months.

I used to think I disliked winter simply because it meant final exams and the exhaustion that comes with closing out the year. Now, with a deeper understanding of how seasonal changes shape experiences of pregnancy and access to care, I see winter as a critical time that requires intentional support and attention. The shift from fall to winter is not just a change in weather; it is a shift in mood, mobility, and access, and it affects Black women in ways we cannot afford to overlook. Black mothers deserve warmth, care, and community during this season, and they should not be left to carry its weight alone.

¹ NIH Study: “The Effects of Seasonal Variation on Pregnancy Outcomes” (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4369543/)