Baby Born in Car at Ashdod Hospital Entrance as Medical Team Races to Assist

A dramatic and rare event unfolded on August 10, 2026, at the entrance to Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital when 29-year-old speech therapist Shlomit Megznik gave birth to her first daughter, Libi, in the back seat of her car. Megznik, from Be'er Ganim, was in her 40th week of pregnancy and began feeling contractions overnight. She and her husband Dan headed to the hospital in the morning, unaware that labor was already underway. During the short drive, her water broke and moments later, Libi was born inside her mother's pants in the vehicle.

Upon arrival at the ambulance bay outside the emergency room, 14 hospital staff members from the emergency, maternity, and security teams immediately rushed to assist. They secured the area with privacy screens and provided urgent care. Dr. Gila Nosbaum performed an initial assessment, while midwives Roni Cohen Lazar and Shani Ozri, along with support staff, ensured both mother and newborn were stable. Megznik was then carefully transferred on a stretcher to the maternity ward for further treatment. Both mother and baby are reported to be in good condition.

Megznik described the experience as surreal and fast-paced, saying, "I didn’t realize I was in active labor, and within seconds Libi was already inside my pants. It was an incredible experience, and we feel like a miracle happened." She praised the hospital staff for their professionalism, empathy, and quick response. Midwife Cohen Lazar highlighted the challenges of births outside typical settings but commended Megznik’s composure and the rapid teamwork that ensured the safety of mother and child.

The hospital security team, including chief Moti Alberaz and deputies, played a key role in maintaining privacy and order during the emergency. This incident underscores the readiness and coordination of Assuta Ashdod’s medical teams in handling unexpected childbirth scenarios at the hospital entrance.