Parenthood has become a dream in Lebanon, especially with the rising costs, the lack of medicines, milk, and other essentials. The cost of healthcare alone is exorbitant and exceeds the means of many. Current circumstances have prevented many couples from having children, with hopes of improvement in the future. Hassan Badr refuses to have a child during this period, as he has been married for seven years. He states, "I refuse to have a child and subject him to suffering; what I produce is not enough for me and my wife, so how could it be for a child?" He does not hide his desire to hear the word “dad,” but current conditions have dashed his dreams. He insists that circumstances may deprive him of fatherhood entirely, especially as he ages. "But how can I have a child when I cannot afford medicine or treatment if he gets sick or meet his needs? It's a shame; they have done us a disservice with our dearest wishes."
"It's not the time; it's too early," is a phrase echoed these days, as many married couples refuse to have children. The cost of prenatal care is high, as is the cost of childbirth and preparing for a child, including medications. A single doctor visit costs 500,000 Lebanese pounds, in addition to laboratory tests costing no less than 600,000 pounds, and medications that have skyrocketed in price.
Dr. Hassan Ibrahim, a gynecologist, confirms this situation, stating that "many cases refuse to have children, and some women request abortions because they cannot afford the child's treatment or nutrition." He mentions a case of a woman who rushed to him after unintentionally getting pregnant and taking several medications to abort the fetus without success, as she wanted to terminate it because her husband's financial situation was dire. "She cannot even afford diapers for her one-year-old, let alone two children."
Dr. Hassan does not hide the fact that the birth rate has decreased compared to previous years, with many women hesitant about the idea of having children due to living conditions. Farah Ahmad sits in the waiting room, having come for a routine check-up, and has been delaying pregnancy for several months. "We can hardly establish our future; how could we do so with a child?"
According to Sirin Ayoub, she is very worried these days, "I got pregnant by mistake, but what worries me is the cost of monthly treatment. The medications alone require a budget; the cheapest medication costs no less than 400,000 pounds, while my salary does not exceed 3 million pounds." Sirin calculates the high costs of pregnancy, estimating monthly expenses at around one to two million depending on tests and medications, in addition to the increased doctor's fees. This does not include the costs for the baby, as children's clothing is extremely expensive, with the cheapest outfit costing $20. Nonetheless, she says, "God help us."
While pregnancy is a concern for women in Lebanon, pregnant displaced women seem to be more stable, with higher birth rates these days. International organizations cover all costs in dollars, and doctors prefer Syrian patients over Lebanese ones. Dr. Hassan confirms this, noting that "pregnant displaced women are more profitable for doctors as they receive their fees in cash and dollars." He points out that the majority of pregnant women in his clinic are Syrian, with fewer Lebanese women due to the decline in pregnancies among them due to financial conditions.
