Summary of a life upturned
In the early days of October 2023, as missiles rained down over Gaza, a young mother, Hadeel Al Gherbawi, faced a reality no one should endure: giving birth not once, but twice, amidst the chaos of war. She was seven months pregnant when the conflict erupted and had spent months preparing for her son’s arrival. What followed was a sequence of medical uncertainties, evacuations, and the unwavering determination of a mother fighting to protect her child.
The first scare: pregnancy under siege
Hadeel’s pregnancy had already been classified as high risk. Regular checkups, a luxury in peacetime, were a routine in her life during the months leading to birth. Yet October 2023 altered those routines forever. As airstrikes intensified, access to clinics, hospitals, and even clean water became sporadic. The danger wasn’t only to the fetus; it was to every patient who searched for a glimpse of stability within crumbling walls. For families like Hadeel’s, the very act of seeking care could become an emergency in minutes.
The turning point: a second birth in perilous conditions
When medical centers managed to operate, doctors faced the grim reality that labor and delivery were now part of a larger conflict. For Hadeel, the possibility of delivering her baby in a safe, controlled environment diminished day by day. Then came the moment she hoped would not arrive — a second round of labor in the middle of an ongoing siege. Hospitals, strained beyond capacity, tried to provide care with missing resources, limited staff, and intermittent electricity. The birth required quick decisions, improvisation, and, above all, a steadfast belief that both mother and child could survive against overwhelming odds.
The medical front line: doctors and nurses under pressure
Medical teams faced every obstacle imaginable: supply shortages, power outages, and the constant threat of escalation. Yet many clinicians persisted, working around the clock to monitor fetal health, manage pain, and ensure safe deliveries when possible. In such environments, even routine procedures are reimagined in real time. Blood products, sterile techniques, and emergency transport become scarce commodities, forcing clinicians to improvise while upholding the standard of care their patients deserve.
The emotional toll: fear, hope, and the psychology of motherhood
Behind every medical statistic is a story of fear and fortitude. For Hadeel, the fear of losing her baby, the anxiety over the infant’s safety, and the stress of daily life under bombardment collided with the hope that guided her through late-night contractions. The experience underscores a broader truth: pregnancy in war zones is not only a physical struggle but a profound emotional journey. Mothers in such circumstances carry a burden that extends far beyond the hospital bed, shaping how they envision motherhood in a landscape marred by conflict.
What this means for Gaza’s families
Hadeel’s story isn’t a single anomaly; it reflects the ongoing challenges faced by countless families in Gaza. When a pregnant woman endures the threat of violence while attempting to bring a new life into the world, the impact ripples through households and communities. It highlights gaps in emergency medical access, the resilience of healthcare workers, and the urgent need for humanitarian corridors that can safeguard essential maternal health services even in times of war.
Looking ahead: supporting mothers in conflict zones
Humanitarian responses must prioritize maternal health as a lifeline for families in crisis. This includes securing reliable access to obstetric care, mental health support for mothers and families, and scalable emergency obstetric protocols that can be deployed in resource-limited settings. The human capacity to endure is remarkable, but it should never be left unassisted in the face of war. Hadeel’s experience serves as both a caution and a call to action: protect mothers, protect newborns, and protect the future they represent.
