Early births rising during conflict

Beirut: The Israeli war has traumatised Lebanese mothers-to-be and is forcing them to give birth early.

Dr Saad Eddine Itani, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Section of Al Makassed Hospital in Beirut, told Gulf News the war has introduced new psychological, medical and social pressures against pregnant women who felt afraid and went for early delivery.

"Since the war started on July 12, we have noticed a 50 per cent increase in the number of pregnant women giving birth. This has been the case in several hospitals," he said.

According to recent statistics obtained by Gulf News, 83 babies were delivered during April, 85 during May, 87 during June and 115 during July, in Al Makassed Hospital.

"The percentage has increased during the first four days of August as well," he remarked.

"We are sending out special after-delivery follow up teams to watch over the newborns and their mothers. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Section is checking on more than 135 outsourced patients," Dr Itani said.

Kawthar Hashem, a 34-year-old mother, said, "I went for an early delivery…. We left our house in Beirut's southern suburb and stayed at my sister's in Hamra. Thank God, I delivered four weeks before time and [the newborn] Samah is in healthy condition."

Kawthar gave birth in an obstetrics and Gynaecology private hospital in Beirut. The hospital refused to give any statistics or even an interview to Gulf News.

"We did have a noticeable increase in deliveries, and particularly in early ones. I believe we calculated an easy 40 per cent increase," said a female doctor.