From the hospital to a tent in hours — what it’s like giving birth in Gaza now
Giving birth in Gaza under the current circumstances is an incredibly challenging and often traumatic experience.
AFP via Getty Images
The healthcare system in Gaza has been severely affected due to the ongoing conflict. Only about a third of the hospitals are partially functioning, leading to limited access to even basic medical services for pregnant women. This has resulted in women having to give birth in extremely difficult conditions, often without adequate medical care.
Many women are giving birth in tents or in makeshift shelters, with little to no access to medical facilities. In some cases, due to the lack of resources and the devastation of medical facilities, expectant mothers are unable to receive necessary prenatal care. This includes basic assessments and scans, and in some instances, even anesthetics and other medications are not available.
The psychological impact on these women is significant. They often have to endure the trauma of giving birth amid the sounds of war, without their loved ones, and in fear for their own safety and that of their newborns. The stories of women like Aya Deeb, who had to move from one shelter to another while pregnant and eventually gave birth in a school clinic, highlight the dire conditions. Aya’s experience of giving birth to her daughter without her husband, who died in an attack, and without proper medical assistance, underscores the extreme challenges faced by expectant mothers in Gaza.
In addition to the physical challenges, the emotional and mental toll on these women is immense. They live in constant fear and uncertainty, often mourning lost family members while trying to care for their newborns in incredibly difficult conditions.
The situation is further exacerbated by shortages in medical staff, including doctors and midwives, and the lack of essential supplies like vaccines and baby formula. The healthcare system’s collapse and the ongoing conflict have created a crisis for pregnant women and newborns in Gaza, making childbirth a time of fear and uncertainty rather than joy [❞] [❞] [❞].
About The Author
