Mother Overcomes Deafness and Tragedy to Welcome Daughter

Nesiah Eliyahu, who lost her hearing in childhood due to a medical complication, has fulfilled her dream of starting a family, culminating in the birth of her daughter, Adele. This journey followed a previous devastating stillbirth, which left her with deep emotional scars and fears about communicating with medical staff during her subsequent pregnancy. Eliyahu appeared on the television program "Baby Boom" to share her powerful story, detailing the challenges she faced at Ichilov Hospital's Lis Maternity and Women's Hospital. She was supported by her doula, Efrat, who acted as an interpreter, and her former partner, Ben. Eliyahu described feeling calm and focused during the birth, unbothered by the cameras, and confident in her strength to manage the experience. Reflecting on the birth, she expressed immense emotion, viewing it as a significant life event and a cherished memory. She spoke candidly about the profound grief of her previous stillbirth, emphasizing how Adele's birth brought joy, strength, and a sense of a new beginning. Eliyahu stated that Adele brings light into her life and helps her recognize her own inner resilience. She hopes her story inspires others to believe in themselves and rebuild their lives after great pain. Eliyahu also discussed her decision to maintain a co-parenting relationship with her ex-partner, Ben, for Adele's sake, expressing gratitude for his role in bringing their daughter into her life. She shared a long-held dream of hearing her baby's cry, but now finds deeper connection through touch and sight, feeling it is even more powerful than hearing. Another significant dream for Eliyahu is establishing a permanent home, having experienced periods of homelessness in her past. She wants to provide Adele with a stable environment. Eliyahu plans to share the "Baby Boom" episode with Adele, explaining her story in both sign language and spoken word, with her father providing the spoken narrative. She described the days after Adele's birth as overwhelmingly emotional and filled with love, feeling reborn with her daughter. Eliyahu sees many of her own traits in Adele, including curiosity, sensitivity, independence, and a strong will. She is particularly moved that Adele is aware of her mother's deafness and communicates with her through sign language. Eliyahu advises other couples facing similar difficult circumstances to maintain respect for each other, acknowledge their pain, but prioritize the child's well-being, ensuring the child feels loved by both parents. She also expressed gratitude for her family's renewed support.