Since February 24, life has not stopped in Ukraine. Many maternity hospitals continue to function, despite the risk of bombing, such as in Mariupol on March 9. More than 10 months after the Russian invasion, more and more babies are being born before term.
The number of premature babies has increased by 40% in some maternity wards, according to an official with the global health agency Unitaid. This is the case of Milana, born two weeks before term in the Pokrovsk maternity hospital, some fifty kilometers from the front line and the Russian artillery.
Conceived after February 24, this newborn will have known, in his mother’s womb, only the stress generated by the war.
“The proportion of premature babies is higher today”
“Of course it had an impact on my pregnancy. I was worried, stressed because one week is normal and the next week the bombings start again… I only want one thing: peace… so that all our children live in a world without war,” Yulia told BFMTV.
And this young mother is far from being an isolated case. “The proportion of premature babies is higher today,” admits Ivan Manuilovych, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the Pokrovsk maternity hospital.
“These women develop chronic stress, and that stress produces chemicals that affect the placenta. That is why many times the birth is premature, ”she said into the BFMTV microphone.
In order to care for mothers and children who are more vulnerable than others in all circumstances, the risk of a power outage cannot be ruled out. “We have a generator for the entire maternity ward and another one especially dedicated to this unit,” explains Ivan Manuilovych.
For several weeks, Russia has not hesitated to attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Hospitals are greatly affected.
Source: BFM TV
