Vulnerability and Complexity: Wartime Experiences of Arab Women During the Perinatal Period

Pregnancy and transition to motherhood are significant experiences accompanied by manifold changes, particularly during times of crisis, such as exposure to traumatic events, which involve further levels of complexity and vulnerability. This is especially true for Arab women in Israel, considering the interactions between their physical, mental, and social environments, and their impact on health during pregnancy and childcare in wartime. This study sought to examine the experience of Arab women in Israel, who experienced intersectional marginalization as women in a traditional patriarchal society who belong to a minority group, during the perinatal period, following the events of 7 October 2023, and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with ten participants in different stages of pregnancy and young mothers to infants up to a year old. The thematic analysis revealed four main themes: <i>The impact of the war on intrapersonal identity</i>; <i>The impact within the couple's relationship identity</i>; <i>The impact on family identity</i>; <i>Socio-political identity</i>. Shining a spotlight on the experiences of Arab women in Israel and their daily functioning in the current complex reality reveals unique challenges, encompassing profound feelings of fear, anxiety, and imposed silence. Deepening the understanding of marginalized women's experiences can help policymakers in the field of women's health to design tailored adaptations in health policies for Arab women from minority groups, navigating the complexities of transitioning to motherhood during periods of social instability and wartime challenges.