Jerusalem Home Birth Tragedy Leaves Infant in Critical Condition

An infant born at home in Jerusalem on the evening of October 14 was rushed to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in critical condition, having stopped breathing and showing no pulse. While medical staff managed to stabilize the baby, its condition remains severe, and it is currently on a ventilator. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still unclear, though it is known the parents are Jerusalem residents. Complications reportedly arose during the birth, and the newborn ceased breathing before the ambulance arrived. This is not the first such incident involving home births. In November 2025, a woman experiencing a home birth in Samaria required evacuation by military helicopter to Sheba Medical Center (Tel HaShomer) due to significant blood loss, with the baby narrowly saved. Months prior, a woman in Jerusalem lost consciousness during a home birth and was taken to Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem. The baby in that case died, while the mother survived but suffered irreversible health consequences.

The Ministry of Health recommends hospital births but does not prohibit home births. Specific regulations for home births require accompaniment by a registered midwife with at least three years of experience in a recognized delivery room, or a physician specializing in neonatology and gynecology with at least three years of practice. The ministry also outlines contraindications for home births, including multiple pregnancies, chronic maternal illnesses, oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios, and pregnancies without a proper system review. A crucial requirement is the ability to reach a hospital within 30 minutes of deciding to transfer.