In the midst of ongoing conflict in Gaza, a harrowing reality unfolds for pregnant women and newborns. Recent reports highlight that these vulnerable populations are suffering immensely due to the destructive impacts of war and a relentless Israeli blockade. The dire conditions are exacerbated by a significant deficit in essential resources, leading to severe consequences for maternal and child health.
According to United Nations estimates, one in ten newborns in Gaza is classified as underweight or born prematurely. This alarming statistic highlights the nutritional crises affecting pregnant women, where increased reports of miscarriages, stillbirths, and congenital abnormalities paint a grim picture of the current scenario. For instance, Malak Brees, a mother-to-be currently in her seventh month of pregnancy, expressed deep fears regarding the repercussions of ongoing bombings and strict evacuation orders. The anxiety of losing her baby hangs over her, a weight compounded by her recent experiences with amniotic fluid loss that her doctors attributed to malnutrition and fatigue.
Malak’s plight reflects a broader issue faced by many women in Gaza: inadequate medical care. The total blockade imposed by Israel on March 2 created a severe shortage of medical supplies, including vital pain relief and hygiene products. Consequently, women often find themselves forced to give birth in unsuitable environments, such as makeshift shelters, deprived of any medical support. Sandra Killen, an American emergency and pediatric nurse working in Gaza, observes that mothers fortunate enough to reach hospitals are frequently discharged just hours after vaginal deliveries or within a day post-Cesarean, often with no proper postnatal care for either mother or baby.
The situation is particularly desperate at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which currently operates a fully booked neonatal intensive care unit due to the devastating impact of airstrikes on other medical facilities, such as the European Hospital, that was rendered inoperative following assaults from the Israeli military. Under an overwhelming influx of patients, healthcare providers acknowledge the tragic reality that, unlike standards elsewhere, premature infants born under 32 weeks are routinely sent home in Gaza, lacking space and resources for necessary care.
The psychological state of women expecting childbirth has reached a heartbreaking state, as articulated by Dr. Ahmad al-Farra, who heads pediatric and maternity care at Nasser Hospital. Many women harbor deep-seated fears that their newborns will suffer from complications stemming from inadequate prenatal monitoring and nutritional deficiencies. Worries extend not only to the health of their infants but also to the implications of food scarcity on breastfeeding practices. The ongoing lack of food in Gaza leaves mothers grappling with the challenge of feeding their babies, further heightening the mental toll during this critical period.
For many mothers, the struggle escalates even further when they face personal tragedies. Aya al-Skafi’s heartbreaking story mirrors this situation. After her daughter Jenan was born during a temporary ceasefire and initially appeared healthy, the increasing scarcity of food and clean water led to Jenan’s demise due to malnutrition and dehydration—a tragic outcome that Aya was desperate to prevent yet ultimately helpless to change.
The Gaza Infant Nutrition Alliance, a Scotland-based organization, is attempting to mitigate this crisis by training local medical staff to provide better support to mothers. Nurse Sandra Killen emphasizes the importance of encouraging breastfeeding even among malnourished mothers, as reliance on formula can lead to an unintentional cycle of dependency.
The stories of women in Gaza reveal a tapestry of trauma and resilience. Tragically, many women face childbirth not as a moment of joy but as a point of heightened stress and fear amid relentless violence. The essence of motherhood is being systematically altered as new lives are born into an environment that emphasizes survival over celebration, where the birth of a child is overshadowed by the unrelenting struggle for basic needs in a war-torn reality.
In summary, the risks surrounding pregnancy and childbirth in Gaza under the severe conditions of warfare and blockades are escalating. The health concerns for mothers and their newborns are amplified by inadequate medical care, severe nutrition shortages, and psychological distress—all contributing to a cycle of despair that raises profound humanitarian questions about the future of families in this region impacted by conflict.