Giving Birth in Israel
When a woman finds she is pregnant, she will receive FREE prenatal care. This is available in Israel through "Tipat Chalav" in “Kupat Cholim” (Mother-Child Clinics) or with a private doctor through one of the Health Funds (Clalit, Maccabi, Leumit, and Meuchedet).
Before her expected due date, the pregnant woman should register at one of the hospitals in her area. There are many hospitals throughout Israel. In Jerusalem, there are Hadassah Ein Karem, Sha`are Tzedik, Bikur Holim and Hadassah HarHatzofim. In the center of Israel, there are Tel Hashomer, Belinson and Ichilov. Before choosing a hospital, it is recommended to take a hospital tour, available at every hospital offering Labor and Maternity care. Be sure to ask questions and check if this particular hospital answers your labor needs, for example, natural birth, readily available anesthesiologists, an open policy at who can be at the birth, etc. Many hospitals realize that it is profitable to have nice rooms and even a "Maternity Hotel" (Tel Hashomer, for example). Delivery Rooms all have private showers and some are more upgraded than others. After the birth, you will be in a room with two or three other women. I strongly suggest that you take a hospital tour to see if you like the place!
Midwives are the medical professionals who will deliver your baby in every hospital in Israel. A doctor is always available on the premises but the delivery is done by a midwife. If there are complications at the birth, doctors and other specialists are available, at no extra cost. If you have a private doctor who has been your caretaker throughout your pregnancy and you want him at your birth, this option is available at an extra cost. Private midwives are also available at an additional cost, at some hospitals.
Home Births are also available in Israel. There are registered midwives who perform home births and there is also a free-standing birth center located in central Israel.
Every woman (who is a citizen) who gives birth in Israel receives a one-time payment from the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi). If the woman decides to have an out-of-hospital birth, she may receive this payment by bringing her newborn to a hospital within 24 hours of the birth for a check-up by the hospital staff.
Most every hospital allows two people to accompany a birthing woman in labor. This is usually her husband or partner and maybe a family member. Labor Assistants, or Doulas, can also help a woman through her labor.
A Doula will charge between 1200-2000 shekels a birth. But why does one need a Doula? Doulas are women who provide continuous support, comfort, knowledge and experience to help create beautiful experiences to women in labor.
Research has proven that having a trained birth assistant with you will shorten first-time labor by an average two hours, will decrease the chance of a cesarean section by 50%, decrease the need for pain medication, will help fathers participate with confidence, and increase success in breast-feeding.
I believe that all women have the power and ability to have a positive birth experience. I fully support a woman`s choice to have the kind of birth that SHE wants and will help her to fulfill that choice. Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding and Parenthood are the most difficult and thrilling events of a woman`s life. I am honored to share these events with you and am here to help and support you throughout these life transitions.
This article was kindly written by Mrs. Lissa Szajnbrum, Doula and Breastfeeding Counselor.
Lissa can be contacted by e-mail at: lissabirth@gmail.com or by phone at 03-9369792 or 052-8988316.