February 25 was the second day of war between Russia and Ukraine and the day 25-year-old Maria Shostak gave birth at the Kiev Maternity Hospital in Ukraine. Because of the war, Maria had to give birth to her son in a bomb shelter in the hospital, where she spent most of her pre-discharge, recalling all this with mixed feelings.
According to the Ukrainian "Kiev Independent Edition" reported on March 6, Maria was sent to the high-risk pregnancy unit for supervision the day before giving birth, when the news of the war was already overwhelming, although the doctor pretended to be relaxed and cheered her up, but from the whispers of the nurses, she knew that the medical staff was also at a loss and could only take one step at a time. When the alarm sounded, the nurses took Maria in a wheelchair to the bomb shelter, where she took shelter with the rest of the hospital and nearby residents, which was particularly crowded.
A few hours later, Maria returned to her hospital room, but was ready to go to the bomb shelter at any time, because of the pain of contractions and anxiety about the future, she could not sleep at all, and could only swipe her phone over and over again to read the news reports.
On the day of the 25th, Maria was again sent to the bomb shelter and told that she could only give birth here. Maria's husband went to help her buy some medicines and daily necessities, but because of the inconvenience of transportation, he could not rush to the hospital in time to accompany the delivery, and Maria was very angry about this, blaming her husband for not preparing in advance.
Maria originally wanted to give birth naturally, but after 5 hours of fruitless efforts, she chose to have a caesarean section, knowing in a daze that she had given birth to a fat son of 4.09 kg. The details of the birth, Maria could not remember, but she knew that it was the only moment since the war that she would not remember.
After giving birth, Maria could only stay in the bomb shelter with her husband and son, and she wanted to go back to the ward to rest, but on the one hand, she was in severe pain and could not walk, and on the other hand, the elevator was always overcrowded.
Although the medical facilities are well equipped, there is a shortage of food for babies. Because of stress and other reasons, many new mothers cannot breastfeed, and the hospital has to feed two or three babies at the same time with a bottle of milk mixture.
The days in the hospital were so difficult, and the coffee and biscuits borrowed from the nurses were one of the few solacees that Maria tried not to watch the news, but her ears were still filled with the sound of cannonballs.
By March 1, Maria was able to take her child out of the hospital, but unlike she expected it, there was no greeting from friends and family, no laughter and flower gifts, not even the opportunity to take photos to commemorate, she just rushed to the car and left the hospital accompanied by soldiers.