At just four hours old, a tiny premature infant born unexpectedly in Eilat was airlifted to Hadassah Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. The parents, a young couple from Jerusalem who had taken a short vacation in the southern city, found themselves in an unplanned and rapid birth at Yoseftal Medical Center, which has no active neonatal intensive care unit. From the first moments, they knew they wanted their daughter transferred to the neonatal unit at Hadassah Mount Scopus, known for its leading care of premature infants.
According to the father, the ordeal began with vague pains late in the evening. “We didn’t think it was labor. We even planned to meet friends,” he recalls. When the pain intensified, he rushed his wife to the maternity emergency department, where staff discovered she was already in active labor. Despite efforts to delay the delivery for essential tests and medication, the baby was born within a day at 1.250 kilograms, with stable breathing and good responsiveness.
Hadassah Mount Scopus Neonatal Unit
Shortly after the birth, the parents requested a medical transfer to Hadassah Mount Scopus. Staff at Yoseftal and across both Hadassah hospitals worked simultaneously to find a rapid solution. The mother describes the situation as “far from routine,” adding that they even considered a private helicopter. “We had heard a lot about the neonatal unit at Hadassah and wanted to be close to home and family.”
Dr. Sinan Abu Leil, Director of Neonatology at Hadassah Mount Scopus, says the approval was immediate. “We understood their urgency – parents far from home with a very young premature infant. We prepared without delay and waited at the helipad to receive her.” During the transfer, the infant received non-invasive respiratory support and arrived in stable condition.
Talia Wisner, the head nurse of the neonatal unit, coordinated with the southern team and explained that transporting premature infants by air requires skill and experience. “This was the first time a preterm baby was received directly at our helipad. The responsibility during flight is immense.”
Supporting the family throughout the journey was the Israeli Midwives Association’s “By Your Side” program, assisting pregnant partners of wounded soldiers. Because the father had been injured earlier in the war, experienced midwives accompanied the mother throughout the pregnancy and helped her even from afar when the situation changed in Eilat.
At Hadassah Mount Scopus, the infant spent several weeks in the neonatal unit, growing steadily until she reached a stable weight. The mother was transferred the following day and reunited with her daughter. “We named her Yahav – meaning hope. The staff here is incredible,” she says. Dr. Abu Leil adds: “She was discharged in excellent condition, after receiving warm and professional care. A truly good ending.”
