The Dilemma Faced in Ukraine: Deciding Whether to Start a Family or Not

Yuliya Balahura, a mother in Ukraine, shares her experience of giving birth during times of war. Early in the summer, she traveled to a hospital in Kyiv, as her hometown of Bucha had no maternity hospital. However, while she was in the hospital, Russia began bombarding the Ukrainian capital with missiles and drones. Baby Mia spent her first night in the hospital's underground bomb shelter, with other women in labor. Despite the constant air raids and explosions, nurses encouraged the women to stay calm and provided support. The Russian attacks have caused power outages and cut off essential supplies, making it challenging to provide adequate maternity care. Yuliya, already a mother of two, acknowledges the additional risks of having a child during a war but says that you become hardened and stronger as you get used to the constant attacks. It is estimated that Ukraine's birth rate has decreased by almost a third since the conflict began, as the war has separated families and forced them to delay plans of having children. Many men have enlisted or been drafted to fight, and some young women have volunteered, while others have been forced to flee the country. The war's effects will last for years, even if it ends soon, as Ukraine rebuilds. Despite the challenges and uncertainty, some couples are choosing to have children now, believing there will never be an ideal time. Others, like Iryna, have decided to postpone having a baby due to the risks and uncertainty of war. Yuliya, on the other hand, remains hopeful and continues with her daily life, hoping to provide a safe future for her daughters.