Gaza War: C-Sections Surge Amidst Conflict

Gaza's healthcare system is experiencing a significant increase in caesarean section deliveries, now accounting for 25% of all births, up from 23% before the conflict. This rise is attributed to several factors, including delayed hospital access for pregnant women due to travel difficulties, a surge in high-risk pregnancies among older women seeking to compensate for family losses, and a critical shortage of medical supplies and equipment.

Dr. Fathi al-Dahdouh, head of obstetrics at Al Helou International Hospital in Gaza City, noted that the conflict's impact on infrastructure and resources has led to more emergency surgeries.

Dr. Ruba al-Madhoun, an obstetrician-gynaecologist at an International Medical Corps field hospital, highlighted that many pregnant women arrive with injuries from bombardments, necessitating immediate surgical intervention.

The absence of continuous fetal monitoring devices and labor-inducing medications further limits options for natural births.

Post-operative complications, particularly infections, have also escalated. Displacement, malnutrition, and unsanitary living conditions in overcrowded shelters contribute to poor wound healing. Hospitals face shortages of appropriate antibiotics and lack the capacity for bacterial identification, exacerbating the risk of infection for mothers recovering from caesarean sections.