Israeli Woman Gives Birth in Car Outside Ashdod Hospital, Staff Await in Ambulance Bay

A 29-year-old woman named Shlomit Magaznik from Be'er Ganin unexpectedly gave birth to her first daughter, Libi, in the backseat of her family car while en route to Assuta Ashdod Hospital on Sunday. Two days prior, Shlomit had attended 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, as they neared Ashdod, her water broke and she quickly delivered the baby in the car.

Her husband Dan immediately drove to the hospital's emergency ambulance bay, where 14 medical staff from various departments were ready to assist. Security personnel provided privacy by placing screens around the vehicle. Dr. Gila Nosbaum performed an initial medical assessment, while midwife Roni Cohen Lazar and assistant Yaffa Dagu attended to mother and newborn. Both were found stable and healthy. The mother and baby were wrapped in blankets and transferred on a stretcher to the maternity ward for further care.

Shlomit described the experience as incredibly fast and surreal, praising the professionalism and compassion of the hospital staff who quickly surrounded them and ensured their privacy and comfort. Midwife Cohen Lazar highlighted Shlomit's composure during the rapid and dramatic delivery and commended the swift, coordinated response of the hospital teams.

Both mother and daughter remain in good condition following the unusual birth event at Assuta Ashdod Hospital.