Border News Agency
Ponnakyun, September 21.

Due to junta airstrikes, ongoing armed conflicts, shortages of medicine, and difficulties in accessing basic necessities in the Arakan region, pregnant women are reportedly worried about giving birth.

As a result, with travel being difficult during emergencies and concerns over their safety, pregnant women are increasingly anxious about childbirth, they said.

“When you’re pregnant, it’s extremely difficult to run to safe places whenever you hear the sound of planes. It’s not easy to move quickly with a heavy belly. No one knows where the bombs will be dropped or whether they’ll drop at all. With the life inside me so fragile, I can’t help but feel anxious and terrified every time I hear the sound of aircraft. Because of this stress, my blood pressure rises, which can cause the baby to not get enough blood supply, putting both of us at risk. I’m living my pregnancy with overwhelming fear,” a pregnant woman from Ponnakyun Township told Border News Agency.

The junta forces have been deliberately carrying out airstrikes targeting hospitals and clinics in the Arakan region, leaving pregnant mothers terrified about giving birth, locals said.

In addition, with trade routes and waterways blocked, hospitals and clinics are facing severe shortages of medicine and are being forced to shut down, according to residents of the region.

As a result, pregnant women fear they may have to give birth without access to proper medical care or support, they said.

Due to these fears, pregnant women are forced to give birth with the help of nearby traditional birth attendants in their villages or neighborhoods, as there is no access to proper medical facilities. As a result, some mothers have lost their lives during childbirth, women in the area said.

“As a pregnant mother, my biggest fear is not being able to receive medical care in an emergency. First-time mothers can’t give birth safely with the help of traditional birth attendants alone. It’s only safe to give birth at a hospital or clinic with proper medical support. Now, with hospitals shut down and medicine in very short supply, both the mother and baby are at serious risk during childbirth. That’s why many women are afraid of becoming pregnant,” a woman from Ponnakyun Township told Border News Agency.

Displaced women are facing tremendous challenges and hardships when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, on top of the struggle to meet basic needs for their families, they said.

In addition, due to financial difficulties, many displaced pregnant women are unable to afford prenatal vitamins or iron supplements, they added.

“Times are extremely difficult during the war. We can barely manage to have enough food to avoid going hungry. I don’t have money to give birth safely or to go for regular checkups at clinics during my pregnancy. With prices rising, I can’t even afford nutritious food. Every time I hear the sound of aircraft, my heart races, and I can’t feel at ease. I don’t want to give birth while living in fear like this. It’s best to have a baby only when everything is safe and stable,” a displaced woman from Ponnakyun Township told Border News Agency.

Since the beginning of the decisive war in Arakan, pregnant mothers and newborn babies have not received a single dose of vaccinations, causing fear and anxiety among women about becoming pregnant or giving birth, they said.

Because of the lack of vaccinations, pregnant women are deeply worried about both their own health and the future of their children, they added.

Although some local public health departments are still operating to a limited extent, no vaccinations have been provided for pregnant women or infants yet, according to pregnant women in the region.

Due to the ongoing war in Arakan, there has been very little support from civil society organizations and international agencies, locals said.

As a result, pregnant women are not receiving the necessary medicines or medical assistance, leaving people deeply concerned about potential loss of human lives, they added.