Lived experiences of displaced pregnant women during armed conflict in Gaza: Implications for trauma-informed maternity care

INTRODUCTION: Armed conflict disrupts maternity care and exposes pregnant women to substantial physical, psychological, and social risks. Although increasing evidence has documented the effects of armed conflict on maternal health, little is known about the lived experiences of displaced pregnant women during the ongoing armed conflict in Gaza. This study explored the lived experiences of displaced pregnant women living in Gaza. METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with 25 displaced pregnant women residing in the Gaza Strip. Data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews between December 2024 and March 2025. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method. RESULTS: Pregnancy was experienced as a multidimensional process shaped by conflict-related disruption of healthcare, displacement, deprivation, and chronic insecurity. Participants described substantial barriers to antenatal care, shortages of medications and nutritional support, unsafe shelter conditions, financial hardship, and persistent fear for their own safety and that of their unborn children. Psychological distress, uncertainty, and limited access to formal psychosocial support were pervasive throughout pregnancy. Despite these challenges, family support and religious faith emerged as important sources of resilience. DISCUSSION: Pregnancy during armed conflict extends beyond a biological event to become a complex biopsychosocial experience shaped by armed conflict -related trauma and the collapse of essential services. These findings highlight the need for integrated trauma-informed, woman-centered maternity care that combines accessible antenatal services, psychosocial support, nutritional assistance, and coordinated humanitarian responses to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in conflict-affected settings. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Problem or issue Displaced pregnant women living during armed conflict experience severe disruptions in maternity care, safety, nutrition, and psychological wellbeing, yet their lived experiences remain insufficiently understood. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN: Armed conflict increases maternal health risks and psychological distress and disrupts access to maternity services. However, qualitative evidence describing the lived experiences of displaced pregnant women during the ongoing armed conflict in Gaza remains limited. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: This phenomenological study provides firsthand accounts of displaced pregnant women in Gaza, highlighting barriers to maternity care, food insecurity, psychological trauma, and resilience. The findings support the development of trauma-informed, woman-centred maternity care and humanitarian interventions in conflict settings.