Childbirth In Gaza: Navigating Shelling And Power Cuts

(CTN NEWS) – Just one month ago, Jumana Emad, a resident of Gaza, was on the cusp of welcoming her baby girl into the world.

She joyfully shared pictures of her heavily pregnant belly, eagerly anticipating the arrival of her new family member.

Her husband was equally excited, her hospital bag was meticulously packed, and her four-year-old daughter, Tulin, was brimming with anticipation at the thought of meeting her baby sister.

The Emad family was on the brink of a new chapter filled with love and laughter.

However, in the blink of an eye, their world was upended.

On October 7th, a tragic and cataclysmic event unfolded.

Hamas, a Palestinian militant organization, executed a devastating attack that resulted in the loss of more than 1,400 lives in Israel and the horrifying abduction of over 200 individuals.

In response to this act of aggression, Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza.

The Hamas-run health ministry reported that these airstrikes have caused the deaths of nearly 7,000 people.

In the midst of this chaos, Jumana found herself in the most vulnerable of situations: she was in labor, and her surroundings were filled with continuous shelling.

Fear and uncertainty pervaded her every thought and action.

Facing these dire circumstances, the 25-year-old freelance journalist heeded Israeli evacuation orders, leaving her home in the northern part of Gaza.

Just two days after the Israeli airstrikes commenced, she embarked on a perilous journey southward, away from the tumultuous heart of Gaza City.

With a heart heavy with anxiety, Jumana took her daughter to the refuge of a relative’s house, bearing just a single piece of clothing, a box of milk, and a small bag for her young daughter.

In a voice message, Jumana painted a poignant picture of the immense hardships, fear, and uncertainty that had suddenly become her reality.

The story of Jumana Emad reflects the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on the lives of innocent civilians in Gaza.

It serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the toll such conflicts take on individuals and families, especially those in the most vulnerable stages of life.

Jumana’s Journey to Motherhood Amidst the Chaos of Conflict

Jumana’s messages vividly painted a portrait of the harrowing reality she and many others faced during this period of conflict.

Sleepless nights were marked by incessant shelling, making it impossible for pregnant women like Jumana to even step outside for a simple walk, let alone procure basic necessities.

The war had turned the ordinary rhythms of life into a nightmare.

Amidst her messages, Jumana repeatedly highlighted the additional hardships brought about by power outages, internet disruptions, and water shortages.

These were not just inconveniences but critical challenges faced by families struggling to survive and expectant mothers preparing to give birth.

On a fateful Friday, the 13th of October, Jumana went into labor.

Her initial plan was to head to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, a large medical facility.

However, she received word that the hospital was under immense pressure due to the ongoing conflict. As a result, Jumana made her way to Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, a smaller hospital located in the heart of the Gaza Strip.

But the journey there was anything but straightforward.

In the throes of labor pains, Jumana faced the challenge of finding transportation to the hospital.

Taxi drivers were gripped by fear, and ambulances were preoccupied with more critical emergencies.

Her recollection of those hours of labor was a chilling account of terror and uncertainty.

The hospital itself faced the peril of intense shelling in the vicinity.

The deafening sounds of explosions made Jumana fear for the safety of the hospital itself.

Injured individuals were constantly arriving, and the echoes of screams filled the air.

Amidst all this chaos, Jumana’s foremost concern was for her first daughter, who was miles away from her.

Despite the overwhelming fear, Jumana’s unwavering determination was clear: she was resolute in her desire to bring her baby into the world.

Jumana experienced a profound sense of shock and relief when, several hours later, she gave birth to a baby girl whom she named Talia.

The sound of her newborn’s cries brought solace, signifying that they had all survived.

However, the challenges persisted. There was no immediate bed available for Jumana following childbirth.

She was left in pain and bleeding, waiting for a bed to be located. In cramped quarters, she had to wait for her turn, while other women who had also just given birth found themselves lying on couches and the hospital floor.

The conditions were far from ideal, but they were a stark reflection of the challenging circumstances in which these women had to welcome their newborns into the world.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) provides a stark estimate that approximately 50,000 pregnant women are currently in Gaza, with 5,500 of them expected to give birth within the next 30 days.

These figures reveal the staggering scale of the challenge that Gaza’s healthcare system faces.

Hospitals are stretched to their limits and are grappling with severe shortages of medical supplies and essential resources.

A day after giving birth, Jumana shared a video of herself in a taxi, cradling her newborn daughter wrapped in a white blanket.

Her journey back to her family was not without its tribulations.

The hospital’s elevator had been disabled due to a power outage, forcing Jumana, still in pain after childbirth, to descend multiple flights of stairs, holding her newborn in her arms.

Jumana’s Harrowing Journey: Finding Hope Amidst the Shadows of War

Once outside the hospital, Jumana was confronted with the daunting task of securing transportation back to her place of residence.

This endeavor was marked by a frustrating hour-long search for a taxi. Many drivers were hesitant, fearing the proximity of a recent shelling incident in the area.

Eventually, they found a taxi, albeit at a higher fare, and it did not drop them off directly at their destination.

The arduous journey of childbirth amid such challenging circumstances took a toll on Jumana, leaving her emotionally drained.

She confessed that she no longer had the desire to engage in daily activities.

However, she reassured that baby Talia was thriving, reflecting a blend of features from her, her sister, and her father.

Jumana’s reflections on the situation were poignant.

In a different world without the shadow of war, she would have aspired to celebrate the birth of her daughter with a joyful event.

Her plans would have included inviting all her family members and hosting an Aqiqah, a traditional Islamic celebration.

These aspirations, now suspended, serve as a stark reminder of the deep impact of conflict on the lives of ordinary families.

Despite the uncertainty that clouds her family’s future, Jumana finds solace and hope in the presence of her new arrival.

She poignantly describes her newborn daughter as “my hope in this life of war and death,” illuminating the enduring resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

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