Infant Hospitalized in Critical Condition After Unlicensed Birth in Jerusalem
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
A newborn was rushed to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in critical condition after being born without pulse or breathing at an unlicensed birthing facility in Jerusalem's Givat Shaul neighborhood. The midwife has been detained for questioning as police investigate the suspected illegal operation. This incident follows two other recent cases of newborns hospitalized in life-threatening conditions after home births.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A newborn was hospitalized in critical condition after an unlicensed home birth in Jerusalem.
- The infant was born without pulse or breathing and required extensive resuscitation.
- The midwife who assisted in the birth has been detained for police questioning.
- Authorities suspect the apartment was operating as an unlicensed birthing facility.
- This incident is reportedly the fourth requiring resuscitation at the location in a year.
- Two other newborns were recently hospitalized in critical condition after home births.
A dramatic incident unfolded in Jerusalem's Givat Shaul neighborhood on Wednesday when a newborn was evacuated in critical condition to Shaare Zedek Medical Center after being born without a pulse or breathing. The infant was delivered at a private residence, raising suspicions of an unlicensed birthing facility operating without medical supervision. The midwife who assisted in the delivery has been detained for police questioning.
According to reports, the parents, from Ofakim, had come to Jerusalem for the birth. During the delivery, the infant's condition deteriorated severely, requiring extensive resuscitation efforts by emergency medical teams who were called to the scene. Sources indicate the location had been used for unlicensed home births, catering to individuals who avoid hospital births for ideological reasons.
United Hatzalah reported that their medical teams responded to a call about an unconscious infant. Upon arrival, they found a woman who had just given birth, with the baby lacking pulse and respiration. Advanced resuscitation was performed, and after the infant's heart resumed beating, he was transported by intensive care ambulance to Shaare Zedek Medical Center, where his condition was described as critical.
Witnesses described difficulties entering the apartment, with the infant's father attempting to block the medical teams. One medical team member reported experiencing verbal and physical abuse. Another account described the birth taking place in a water pool, with the infant found unconscious outside it, his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. Medical personnel worked to remove the cord and begin resuscitation.
There are suspicions of previous incidents at the same address. A medic claimed that three other incidents requiring resuscitation had occurred there in the past six months, and another rescue worker stated this was the fourth such case in the past year. The midwife is being questioned by police regarding the circumstances and the suspected operation of an unsupervised birthing facility. In related news, two other newborns born at home were recently hospitalized in life-threatening conditions at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, one suffering from asphyxia and the other with liver bleeding.
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