Mother of Eight Dies at 40 From Rare Birth Complication

A 40-year-old mother of eight, Miriam Ben Hamo, has died at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer following a rare and life-threatening complication during childbirth at Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak. The incident began yesterday morning when Ben Hamo developed amniotic fluid embolism, an unexpected and rare obstetric complication, during labor. Medical teams at Mayanei Hayeshua performed prolonged resuscitation efforts and connected her to an ECMO machine, which supports heart and lung function, before transferring her to Sheba Medical Center for further treatment. Despite the intensive efforts of the medical staff, doctors pronounced her dead overnight. She is survived by her husband, her eight children, including the newborn delivered during the event, and many grieving family members.

Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center stated that the woman had no pre-existing conditions and that amniotic fluid embolism is a rare and unpredictable complication. The hospital confirmed that a senior multidisciplinary team fought for her life, administered prolonged resuscitation, connected her to ECMO, and transferred her to the intensive care unit at Sheba Medical Center. The newborn daughter was safely delivered during the event and is in good condition, receiving care and observation at Mayanei Hayeshua, which has pledged to continue supporting the family.

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare and dangerous pregnancy complication occurring in an estimated 1 in 20,000 to 80,000 births. It causes dangerous instability in the circulatory, cardiac, and pulmonary systems, with a maternal mortality rate between 13 and 30 percent. Ben Hamo's funeral is scheduled for Friday at 9:30 AM from her home in Modi'in Illit, with burial to follow at 12:30 PM at the Yarkon Cemetery near Petah Tikva.