Israeli Woman Gives Birth in Car En Route to Ashdod Hospital Amid Rapid Labor

A dramatic childbirth unfolded on the way to Assuta Ashdod Hospital when 29-year-old speech therapist Shlomit Magaznik from Be'er Gan gave birth to her daughter Libi in the backseat of their car. Two days prior, Shlomit had a routine checkup at 40 weeks pregnant. During the night, she experienced contractions but did not realize she was in active labor. On the morning of the birth, she and her husband Dan drove to the hospital, but as they neared Ashdod, her water broke and within seconds, Libi was born inside Shlomit's pants.

Dan continued driving and stopped at the hospital's ambulance bay, where 14 medical staff from various departments quickly surrounded the vehicle. Security personnel set up privacy screens and brought a stretcher. Dr. Gila Nosbaum from the emergency room assessed mother and baby, while midwives Roni Cohen Lazar and Yaffa Dagu from the maternity unit attended to them. Midwife Shani Ozri also joined as she arrived for her shift. After confirming both were stable and breathing well, Shlomit and Libi were wrapped in blankets and transferred to the maternity ward for further care.

Shlomit described the experience as incredibly fast and surreal, expressing gratitude for the professional and compassionate care she and her newborn received. Midwife Cohen Lazar praised Shlomit's composure during the intense and unexpected delivery and highlighted the swift, coordinated hospital response. The hospital confirmed both mother and baby are in good condition.

This extraordinary event underscores the readiness and teamwork of Assuta Ashdod’s medical teams to handle emergency births outside standard settings, ensuring patient privacy and safety even in unusual circumstances.