Romance with love. Story of Tetyana & Roman

March 14th. Stoyanka, Ukraine

"I gave birth during terrible sirens of the air raid warning. In the city that was mine. Because it constantly bombed each day. In the maternity hospital, I did not plan to because it is partially shielded. In the city which is daily bombed".

The city of Pushcha-Vodytsya is a famous climate resort in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Normally citizens come here to do cycling, forest picnics, hunt some mushrooms, and take a cafe tram tour through the forest. 

These days, maternity hospital Leleka is under the constant shields of russian troops. Tetyana planned to give birth to her baby here. The maternity hospital was built in 2014 and is very easy to find - a colorful building with a pacifier sculpture in the front yard. The windows of the hospital rooms are covered with webs of cracks from the bullets. Evacuation and fire equipment can be easily found in the corridors. 

"Newborns scream are louder than explosions outside", says obstetrician after 24 hours in the row here.

The hospital was cut off of communication and has stopped operating on March 6th. Doctors continue to help remotely and from hospitals still on the run. All private maternity hospitals in Kyiv were accepting women and wounded for free.

"I was delivering; the labor pain was hellish. The siren has started to shout. The doctor has entered the room and asked me do I plan to go to the basement (basements in the hospitals are used as bomb shelters). How can I go? I'm shaking because of labor pain. I feel sick. I can't exhale, only inhale. My eyes are closed, legs give away. My body is a total pain. How can I walk from the second floor to the basement? And back. I've signed a refusal. This means I stay in the hospital room despite the sirens. Sirens have started to calm me in contrast to the waves of pain I've experienced inside. I did care if the shell would reach the hospital, just wish the labor pain gone for next round".

The basements of the maternity hospital located in the war zones are turned into emergency rooms for newborns and their moms. C-sections, resuscitation, newborn care - all are needed to save lives is here. Grey walls are first seen by little angels who came to this world. 

"Next time, everyone went to the basement because of sirens. I was running out of pain relief. And I got into my personal hell. I listened to the sirens and drew in sickness, tremble, and peals of pain and counted. I just counted numbers. It seemed like an eternity to wait for the air raid warning to stop, and nurse will return and give me pain relief."

The nurseries and doctors have returned. Tetyana's 3d son was born on March 14th. While staging at the hospital room, she constantly evaluated the thickness of the walls and chances to survive if shell will hit the place. In a couple of days, the world would know the story of the woman Olga who has covered her 1-month-old baby daughter with her body.

by Anastasiia Lapatina, twitter

She will become one of the contemporary Ukrainian Madonnas. The body covered with wounds from shell fragments will continue to breastfeed a baby, both safe in the hospital room dressed in a golden thermal blanket.

Art by @anta_arf

Death and life are always handed by hand during such moments.

"The son was called Roman. Because the whole story of this boy like a romance with life". In Ukrainians, Roman for name spells the same as romance.

Message to my son

The world already loves him and cares for him. I can feel it in the air.

He is born to live in a renewed world be a part of the next chapter of history. I wish there would be the freedom of choice and possibilities, helps and human beings, good ones who may love and support in his world.

They were so small! It was unusual and scary. Story of Alexandra, Alihan & Emirhan

Mom Alexandra with her kids

March 8th. Chernihiv, Ukraine

I have known Alexandra since I've got the message from a Cyprus volunteer "Can you please help to evacuate Mom with newborn twins a small kid?". I've done what I could, but I did not believe it would be possible. In 2 weeks, Mom Alexandra was in Denmark with healthy and uninjured kids.

"They have started to shout immediately!"

Recalls Alexandra her first meeting with the boys. On the 8th of March, her sons were born in a corridor of the bomb shelter basement under the maternity hospital. Babies were just 2.5 kilograms. Today, less than half of the city with thousands of years of history left. russian military forces have destroyed all road bridges. The last one left for pedestrians is constantly shelled. Bombs decorate playgrounds, university, schools, and nurseries. 

Before the 24th of February, when russia has attacked Ukraine, Alexandra was running an online business and was planning to launch an educational course dedicated to the ethics of sales. She has two years old daughter and was 33 weeks pregnant.

"I was afraid to leave. I was in the hospital three times because of complications. Doctors told me leaving is very unsafe. Kids were heads-up, and delivering them on the road was not an option at all. We did not believe it would be so bad till the last moment."

With her Mom and daughter, Alexandra spent ten days in the basement, sized 1.5 per 1.5 meters. Grads bombed the district they lived in (The BM-21 "Grad" (is a Soviet truck-mounted 122 mm multiple rocket launcher) from day two; three neighboring houses burned because of shellings, walls of their own house were dancing because of surrounding explosions. Today the house is buried under the russian bombs. 

On the eleventh day, Alexandra and her family were evacuated. The local territorial defense unit (volunteers who help army forces) had information about pregnant Mom and a possible bomb attack in the place they lived in. At the same time, Alexandra's Mom and her daughter were in the basement of the maternity hospital. The pregnant woman was located in the bomb shelter. Here doctors have made a cesarian section with spinal anesthesia just in the corridor. That's how Alihan and Emirhan were born - the great and the fair rulers of the future. 

"I was made surgery on the early term - 35 weeks only because I had complications. Kids were taken into emergency just when they were born - they could not breathe by themselves. I was given sons only in three days - I have never seen such small babies. It was so scary and unusual. One of the babies became bad immediately - it was only 15 degrees celsius in a bomb shelter too cold for a premature baby. We did not have enough drinking water. They delivered it from upstairs. We did not have any place to wash. Doctors and nurses were too tired. Most of them have left at the very beginning, including ultrasound specialists. A lot of girls have lost their babies because of this"

On the seventh day, Alexandra took newborns out of the hospital, one from an intensive care unit - he could not eat by himself. But she was late for an evacuation car. As her home was distracted, she has decided to stay overnight in an apartment of hers with no water, electricity, or heating. Only strong walls in case of a bomb hit.

They provide evacuations in Chernihiv city at a very precise time only, as occupants constantly shell roads. After the chilly night in a deadly apartment, volunteers took the whole family. Here our rods have crossed for the first time.

Seven hours and 150 kilometers later, Alexandra arrived at the capital of Ukraine, where it was comparatively safe. Seven days later, Alexandras and her family were allocated in Denmark.

"We have driven into Kishinev city (Moldova) to do a check-up for babies; they were totally fine. The medical services for Ukrainians are free here".

During the trip to Denmark, Alexandra has made newborn certificates, and here is why she was obliged to spend overnight in Chernivtsi, where 30 hotels had abandoned her. The reason why - people from areas attacked are moving to the western part of Ukraine, which is relatively safe and too overcrowded.

Alexandra's The elder daughter has spent 20 days in a car seat - in the basement or on the road. Now she has child tantrums to release emotions she got during the 20 days of hell. Psychologists say she will be fine soon.

Today the whole family is safe in Denmark due to the Temporary Protection status given to all refugees from Ukraine. "It is a perfect place for kids; they have no limitations here." Moms always consider what is best for their children when making a choice. 

The message to my kids

I want them to become emphatic persons with a high level of emotional intelligence. Being grateful.

I did not care what was happening around. The story of Christine & 2 kg baby Martha

March 2d. Kyiv, Ukraine

The story of Christine is about a fight for her baby daughter's survival, born only 2100 grams weighing. Before the war, this woman was a nutritionist, helping others during the planning, pregnancy, and delivery. She was planning a home birth. The whole family did not believe the war could happen until the last moment.

"My husband joked pregnant women are from the other planet. So focused on the baby bearing, they don't care about what happens around them. I was very calm."

The war came later to the Vinohradar district, where Christine and her husband lived. People continued to walk outside; children made fun on playgrounds, and the sun was shining friendly and warming. At this very moment, russian troops attacked Melitopol and came closer to Kharkiv and Chernihiv; the battle for Irpin and Hostomel started. The biggest amount of war crimes committed against the civilians by russian warriors would be unleashed in a month from this area to the whole world.

"There was no war feeling. This came later, not from the beginning.”

“Our parents called us one day and asked us to move. We saw traffic jams outwards Kyiv city, where we live, and decided to stay at home. We felt more tranquil at home. One day, there were explosions nearby, and we were hiding at the bomb shelter. When we returned home, I told my husband we would stay at home, in the corridor or bathroom, or wherever. The atmosphere at the bomb shelter was too depressive for me: it's so dark, dusty, many people, small kids - it's difficult to stay there."

Water breaking happened on the first spring day 1st of March, at 7 am, when Christine was 36 weeks pregnant. Noone expected delivery so early. Future parents know they will have a very small baby, a hereditary feature. Their midwife has left the town. Lightweight and early delivery term meant possible complications to the baby. So they have decided to give birth at the maternity clinic nearby - 7 minutes walking distance. They spent this day at home; Christine was focused on the contractions, and her husband was packing hospital bags and reconnaissance. 

"I did not care what was happening around."

Since the war started, every city under attack has had a curfew - to protect civilians, so the couple needed to get to the hospital before the X-hour at 8 pm.

15 minutes before the curfew started, they moved toward the hospital.

They were moving slowly and making stops for the contractions. It was dark, and there were now people on the streets. Only teroborona - armed volunteers who were helping to patrol the city at night. When Christine recalls the trip to the hospital, she laughs; she says she felt funny at that very moment.

The doctors were for the fourth shift in a row at the hospital - tension and stress were in the air. Mom-to-be was afraid it might affect the labor activity. She wanted to deliver the baby naturally. The opening of the cervix was only 2 cm, but none have pushed women to speed up the process:

"It's your labor. You can live it in a way you want and do whatever you want. This is your midwife; she will pass time after time. If you need something, just ask."

Parents-to-be turned off the light and made jokes. Christine ate peanuts, and dried figs, drank homemade tea. The relaxed atmosphere lasted till the first air raid alert when everyone moved to the basement. The couple settled down on the couch to fill in all medical documents. The alert was very short, and the contractions became stronger, so they moved upstairs to the maternity ward.

"I feel sorry for those who gave birth in the bomb shelters. It's really tough; even just being there is a challenge."

Cardiotocography was made at 11 pm, the opening exceeded 7 cm, and in two hours, at 1.11 am, small baby Martha was born.

She was only 2 100 grams and 45 cm in height.

The baby girl could breathe independently despite the early term and light weight. Her first wrap was made from Dad's t-shirt, and her first cradle was on Mom's breasts.

"It's a mix of feelings. Sacred moments, unbelievable to verbalize. She is so small, and she is my baby. I felt everything was just like I wanted, in a natural way. The daughter is fine; she is breathing, so wet". Childbirth was very positive; complications have started later."

The baby girl was called Martha at home. 

The first two hours young parents spend in contact with a baby in a maternity ward. And moved to the basement shelter because of the air raid alert. The next morning at 11 am, the family moved to their apartment by taxi. They wanted to avoid the atmosphere of fear in the hospital shelters and endless migration to the basement.

Doctors were worried: could the baby eat, does she have enough formula, are parents capable of managing newborn staff. 

Martha met her first complications at home - she was so small and had no strength to suck breast milk. The baby girl was crying and nervous.

Her weight dropped to 1895 grams - which is below the safety norm for a kid of her age.

Sounds of the regular explosions from Hostomel and Bucha side have got Christine district. They were almost unheard from inside due to the windows closed and the location of the apartment. Each time husband left to buy some food or medicines at the pharmacy one hour walking from home (all others were closed), the wife heard explosions while talking to him on mobile. Their parents persuade them to move to Zakarpattia. 

When Martha was nine days old, antiaircraft warfare shot down two russian missiles close to the place where they lived. It was an earsplitting sound.

"My daughter trembled while she was sleeping. I started to cry - how can it be, such a small baby, and she awoke because of missiles shut down. We need to do something.”

“We have called parents; we were ready to move."

The family was lucky. In 30 minutes, their parent's friend has moved to Vinnytsia, halfway to the safest part of Ukraine in the west. He has seats on a bus. They packed for half of an hour and took everything they could - wraps for the baby (she was too small for the normal cloth), sweatpants, t-shirts, and miraculously found a breast pump. Echoes of an explosion have reached a couple with a baby just near the entrance. Since that, the danger came to their district as well.

The road to Vinnytsia was about the cold coach, endless breast pumping, and the baby crying because of thirst, wrapped in tons of blankets in case of missiles hit or draft.

The overnight stay with strangers. Fourteen hours more till they have reached Uzhorod. 

"The baby was crying a lot. I was crying because we had left. My daughter was so calm when she was born, and she did not want to eat even from the pipette."

Upon arrival, the first week was a cycle of weighing, pumping, and feeding. The next few days calmness and silence of the small town affected the baby. Marthe gained weight and started to suck the breast milk independently. Christine and her family live in someone else house for two months. They have cold and hot water and a cooker, but there is now a washing machine. Mom dreams of returning to her home. She misses the nest winded with love for her daughter. 

"Such a small baby needs to sleep in someone else's bed; it was too much for me initially. We had to accept what we had: there are three wraps only, and we have nowhere to wash them. It's awkward".

Christine was depressed by their inability to make the first weeks of their daughter's life in a more delightful way. Her husband suggested being grateful instead of demanding and cooking herself constantly. 

"You are always by her side, holding her, breastfeeding, despite its hard."

Even during the war, when no one knows what will be next, Moms continue to be in touch with their kids and breastfeed. It's not a whim, but the possibility to always have food regardless of the circumstances. 

When Christine focused on good things done, it became much easier. While fighting for her daughter's life, her husband was working and housekeeping. 

"I appreciate his support - I could be in touch with a daughter 24/7".

When I write this story, baby Martha is six weeks old, and her 3370 grams weight no longer worries parents and doctors. Christine celebrates skin folds, soft butt, and legs. 

"Our story is very sunny at the end of the day."

Our interview is almost done, and Martha wakes up from her day nap and joins the conversation with a gentle cooing.

Word to a daughter

To bear plenty of love inside, so it could guide her through the life in everything she does. We try to put as much love as we can into her childhood.

You may unplug a child from a ventilator or leave him under the shelling. It's a hard choice. The story of Valeria and Luca.

February 26th. Kyiv, Ukraine

"Svyatoshin and Shulyavka districts were bombed; we were given birth. Air raid alerts were one after another. I was exhausted and decided not to go anywhere, to deliver a baby in the maternity ward on the third or fourth floor, not in a basement. I did not want to go there; there was nothing arranged, only a warehouse. It was an emotional decision, but I wanted to give birth in normal conditions, even with the sounds of alerts. We humans did not get used live in war." 

I was introduced to Valeria by my husband. He was helping a deeply pregnant midwife who had moved from Kyiv. When she was told about the Newborns of Ukraine project midwife got introduced me to Valeria. We could not find a time to speak for a week. Now, when we finally met on Telegram, I know why.

This story starts on the first day of the war. Forty-one weeks pregnant Valeria with her husband went on planned examination at a maternity hospital. Doctors sent parents-to-be home to prepare for delivery and took a hospital bag while transport was still running. The next day women got labor injections, and contractions started. In 16 hours, her son was born. Despite the Russian bomb attack on Kyiv, all medical team was participating - doctor, assistant, and midwife. 

On February 26th at 1 am, a ray of light was born - little Luca (Luca is from Latin luce, which means light). "It was some miracle. Joyful fatigue from long-lasting childbirth. But what was born was a wounder."

The couple had made a final decision on a baby name when they finally met their son in the hospital. For this family, their baby boy became a ray of light during the darkest times. So they named him Luca (from the Latin "luce" which means light).

"A child was born during the darkest times, early in the morning - it is a gleam in our life." For the next ten days, the little boy spent in the emergency room with his Mom because of complications during childbirth. He was in need of constant lung ventilation; ventilators and balloons with oxygen were impossible to move to the shelter in the basement.

When air raid alerts started to loud, everyone began to hide in a basement bomb shelter, Moms have stayed near their children on the 7th floor, where it was the only one with access to the oxygen.

"There was a choice - you live your baby on the seventh floor, saving your own life in the bomb shelter. You may unplug a child from a ventilator or leave him under the shelling. It's a hard choice. Moms choose to stay near their children".

Next month Valeria and Luca will spend at the National Children Specialized Hospital Ohmadet, where they have moved from the first district hospital of Kyiv. Bomb shelter in the basement was already echoed with necessary medical stuff. It was the twelfth day of the war.

"Our baby boy needed special medicines; it was impossible to get them in Kyiv. My husband was waiting in the pharmacy for ten hours. Nothing. We have found medicines in Dnipro; it was delivered to Kyiv with military service.”

Those days it was impossible to deliver something to Kyiv - delivery services were out of order in this region. The schedule of the evacuation trains was constantly changing, but little Luca did not have time to wait. In Ohmadet, Mom and son had an action plan on what to do in case of air raid alerts or shelling. The bomb shelter in the basement was equipped with lamps and tables for newborns who needed special treatment. Noone got used to the war, but everyone tried to manage things in new circumstances. 

When shelling in Kyiv started, doctors sent back everyone who could proceed with treatment at home. Only six babies, including Luca left in the emergency room.

Noone shared their stories; everyone knew you couldn't just get into Ohmadet - it's a special place where the hardest cases of childhood diseases are treated. Moms did not have time to share their stories and emotions. Small talks during the descent to the shelter or discussions of the current situation - everyone wanted peace, to bring back normal life as soon as possible. It was a common ground for everyone.

"We were making jokes about our prisoner like routine: 5 minutes meeting, and goodbye".

Valeria's husband visited family every 2-3 days, brought stuff, and took unnecessaries. They've mostly spoken on the phone than in person. During the first month, Valeria hardly managed to bring herself back. It was tough; she was crying at night, and there was no hiding from emotions. Tension and stress broke through the tone and composure. They came out with tears and howl when Valeria was alone.

"You gave birth and want to pet your child. But there is a war; your newborn baby is at the hospital, and everything crumbled. The love level was the same, but if there were no war, everything would be much easier. You feel depressed, baby feels it".

Doctors and little son helped Mom to recover. She knew she couldn't give up. It gave me strength and forced me to pull myself together. Continue to do abnormal things and take despair under control. To those who are pregnant now, Valeria wishes nerves made of steel to overcome challenges and raise children.

"It's much harder than during the peaceful times: different hospital, doctors. Everything has changed, and it is tough".

Hospital discharge occurred in a month. Little Luca was given medicines and prescriptions for regular examination in any ambulant clinic. Luca condition allowed him to leave a specialized hospital. His grandparents, who came to Kyiv before childbirth, finally could see their grandson. All this time, they were living at Valeria's apartment, waiting for a meeting with Luca. Kyiv also has changed; it has become more peaceful inside. Kyiv citizens started to think about returning back.

"He takes all attention; it's impossible to be opposite. I want to rest and sleep, and all this war and horror end. It would be more tranquil, and Luca's rehabilitation would be much more effective. But there is some secret power occurs; it gives energy".

Elementary things became a challenge. Finding a specialized doctor or taking tests or examinations was not a big deal. Now every move is about complications. Doctors left the town; laboratories did not work because they ran out of reagents. The family could not relax even when they reunited at home. 

"While our family is proud of him. Luca was born in such difficult times and made a hard way. He is a fighter".

A message to a son

I wish his hardest times were those he overcame during his first month of life. Happiness, easy fate, good people to meet during his life path, health. It is possible to wish only the best of the best to a baby.

I was so afraid I could not find my baby in this chaos. The story of Mom and a son born in the first day of russian invasion

24th of February, Kyiv

Saving your children is about taking most of the things to the back seats as nonimportant. For the second month in a row, Ukrainian moms do their best to keep the country's future safe and take care of their children's lives. Being a hero Mom is to make choices based on your kid's vital needs and be ready to pay any price for their lives. This is a story of Mom, who has been in hot spots in Afghanistan and Donbas twice; she gave birth to her son in the first hours of the russian invasion. 

"The idea resonates with me; I think we did say enough good words to those who have helped our children to be born. Doctors have done a feat, and this is a holy truth."

Expecting a baby was a big deal to this woman - she is almost 40. She had 22 years of career achievements, eight countries, and cities on her back. When the couple became pregnant, the specialty of the moment was obvious to each of them. Four weeks before the labor, when the level of the information warfare was on top, the Mom-to-be started to panic: "Have I chosen the best Maternity hospital. Do they have a bomb shelter?". Everyone was questioning whether the war would happen, but no one had a plan in case of that.

The heroine did not believe the war may knock on her threshold. But her husband was actively preparing for the worst-case scenario. He insisted on clearing the basement to keep the second car ready for a trip in the backyard. He asked her wife to leave. But she did not want to have unpredictable effects or deviations during the labor. She wanted to be in her doctor's hand in the hospital she trusted.

"I've been in Afghanistan, Donetsk, and other hot spots; it was so strange for me. We've asked what it is going to be if war happens? And I've got only touching looks in reward."

At 4.55 am on February 24, the president of the russia federation announced a special operation mission to free Ukraine from the genocide of the Kyiv regime. In an hour, the army of invaders started a missiles attack on Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. And have spread all over the state border for 1500 km. 

"At 5.46 am at Osokorki district, we have heard two explosions. I can't say the windows trembled, but my husband started to read the news - he had expected the invasion, unlike me. I went to the bathroom and discovered the massive bleeding at the bottom of the bump. I yelled and started to panic. We went to the hospital immediately. On the way, we have seen some important things. There was a lot of car-like for such an early morning. Some people have already understood what has happened. They were riding with car trailers, fool of staff. I recall this only now."

Before the war, every mom had a perfect day to deliver on 22.02.2022. during the doctor's visit exactly on this day, the ultrasound was not done, and complications were left unnoticed. 

The heroine was examined every two hours in the hospital and got the diagnoses: oligohydramnios, placental abruption, bleeding, and the doctor's verdict:

"your surgery starts in 45 minutes".

While mom to be was prepared for general anesthesia to exclude blood and baby loss, her husband observed hospital staff worries. No one knew when the next shift would come and what was going to be next. The heroine was the first patient who passed through the cesarian section that day. Following her, more women have started to come and ask for surgery at any price to save their unborn children and prevent labor on the road. Like others, the private maternity hospital Isida accepted all pregnant women needing medical help for free. Most women have mass bleeding because of stress. 

On February 25, there was a c-section record for the clinic for 26 years of work. 

"When I was taken to the emergency, my husband was bothered about whether doctors would be able to do the surgery in the right way. The hospital director's office was on the same level as the emergency. So the director invited my husband to his office, made a coffee, and chatted all the time surgery lasted. These people were amazing! I've succeeded in getting surgery in operational mode with full ventilation and a full set of stuff. Just right after me, the volatility started"

The newborn's Mother was recuperating in the hospital room. Her husband was trying to tell her about the war without stress. Due to the difficult anesthesia recovery process, the woman could not see her baby the next morning. And the urgent evacuation has started because of the explosions nearby and numerous air raid alerts. 

"Only 12 or 15 hours have passed since the surgery, and we have started to evacuate to the basement. All newborns were already there, so it was our turn. Most of the women did not even get up since the surgery was done. There were no conditions to transfer so many women. When we started to move, I started to panic and shout - I was so afraid I could not find my baby in this chaos. I did not even know how he looked; I've not seen him. I became calm only when I found my son and cling to a hospital crib.”

There were 35 women in the basement of the Maternity Hospital Isida. Those who have delivered in the last three days, those expecting the labor, moms of premature babies, and newcomers. 

On February 26, due to safety reasons, the longest curfew in Kyiv started: from 5:00 pm Saturday till 8:00 am on Monday. No one could go out; immediate shooting would follow.

The bomb shelter in this story was on the minus first floor, where the staff's cafeteria and laboratories were allocated. Women have been established on hospital beds in human chains on both sides of the corridors: mom and a newborn child, one after another. Babies who were supervised by neonatologists were taken to a separate room - the cafeteria itself. It was called the children's room. An extra surgery was set here as well. To decrease the level of infection, doctors were making as many operations upstairs as they could. Women were giving birth here in the basement as well. The kitchen was also there. 70% of the patients came with their husbands - it was an extra load for food provisioning. There was no soundproofing - one baby started to cry, and the other followed in seconds.

"I feel guilty. I think we have not praised the doctors enough. They had a four days shift, in fact, starting from Friday till Monday. Since February 24, they helped in labor, restored, made a treatment, dripped, pricked, rocked the babies."

The men have made a gentlemen club very fast. They were exchanging the news without disturbing freshly baked Moms. No one knew how they would leave a hospital when the curfew ended.

"My husband is very active. He has found some nook at the end of the corridor and told me he has got a luxury place. We were accommodated in a luxury room in the hospital, so he continued to make fun of this VIP stuff. We have moved to this place with our son and my friend, who was with us."

When the superlong curfew has ended, the family has lived in the hospital. They needed to drive through the whole city to its left bank.

"The city has changed. We have lived in the city and have returned to other full of anti-tank obstacle defense units. People have been mobilized. There was an enormous quantity of militaries on the bridge. The military units were driving just in the opposite lane. We were standing for the 2.5 hours on the Southbridge.

“It seemed like we were in the empty arena, and we could be shelled just right now. And we stand still here, and we have a baby, and he is only four days old."

The family has taken friends' cats, a friend, and her mom to their house. Here they have spent one more week until the danger came closer - the windows were trembling because of explosions. The basement was too cold for a newborn son. So, despite the insecure driving, numerous checkpoints, and first shooting cases of the civilian cars attempting to evacuate. On March 7, the family made a decision to move to the western part of Ukraine. The son was only 11 days old. The parents of heroin with her grandmother were in Kharkiv; they did not want to evacuate. To support the women, they have sent photo reports of the help provided by volunteers. The husbands' parents took care of the children's house and remained in Kyiv.

Three days after, the family arrived at the apartment they had rented, but it was already occupied, and they remained homeless with a newborn kid. Overnight stays at friends' and partners' homes followed.

There was no place in the city of Vinogradov on the border of Ukraine, Romania, and Hungary except the Catholic church. Here a baby boy has got his first transport - the stroller is still in use by the family. The adults have got clothing and necessary staff as present as well. 

"We took only crucial staff for a kid. But everyone was so responsive. We have met people who have rented us half of their house. We stayed there for one more week. When explosions achieved Lviv and Uzhgorod, my husband insisted, and we decided to move to Bulgaria. He did not want to leave; he wanted to be useful inside of the country."

The woman waited for two days for her mom and drove for three days. They crossed two borders until they reached Bulgaria. Every two hours, the stop was made to feed the baby. 

"Some unbelievable powers awaken inside. You don't care about anything if you need to rescue a baby. Being a breastfeeding Mom after surgery and driving for three days - is challenging.

The message to a son

I wrote a lullaby when I was heavily pregnant. I usually write songs in English only for the first time in Ukrainian - it is my hobby. What is waiting for you, my love? What is your destiny? To which kind of countries will your road lead you? I asked myself what perspective waits for my son. The Mother’s heart already knew the future was uncertain, not the way we have planned.

I wish people he would meet open the doors and their hearts.

I wish the resilience he got forced would become in need only for good things. So his first month in life would be the toughest time he had. 

I wish the world would be open for him - I don't know any baby who has crossed so many borders, met so many peoples, seen a lot, and been so young.

I dream we all can find a common language like human beings and hope this will be above politics, ideology, etc.

The baby got a name in honor of her Mom's Jewish legacy.