On my quest to explore pregnancy and giving birth in general, and specifically in Israel – and even more specifically, in Jerusalem – I’ve collected information and kept my experiences jotted down.
You can check out the b’herayon category for the anecdotes, and right here I’m collecting useful links and bits of information I thought to share…
Hospitals/Birthing locations/Homebirth
First off, a Jerusalem doula named Michal Levy has put together a great website – IsraelDoula – with tons of information about Jerusalem hospitals, birthing alternatives and prenatal exercise classes.
Hadassah Ein Kerem Shaarei Tzedek Bikur Holim Hadassah Har Zofim Ilana Shemesh’s birthing cabins Geula clinic
Here are my notes from the two Jerusalem hospital tours I did, one at Hadassah Ein Kerem and one at Shaarei Tzedek. Those are also the only two I registered at. Registration is a way to ensure you are admitted faster if the hospital is particularly busy; it’s you registered as opposed to others unregistered. It’s also not 100% fool-proof, but a good precaution so there are no rare last-minute issues (being turned away).
I also explored the possibility of homebirth which I wrote about here (and received some helpful comments and email feedback along the way).
In addition, I just heard the long-awaited Natural Birthing Center of Hadassah Ein Kerem has finally opened. It’s a birthing center located within the hospital which is run by a group of Hadassah midwives.
Furniture/Baby supplies
If you’re looking to buy new furniture and first-time baby supplies, I’d suggest seeking out Motzitzim which gave us excellent service and not-awful prices (as opposed to the others). If you’re going second-hand, I’d suggest starting with Janglo.
Birthing class
I also highly recommend taking a birthing class if it’s going to be your first time. Not only did I feel really prepared (which I definitely think lent itself to my smooth birth) but it’s a great support system to have a teacher you can always speak with and other couples in your shoes. The birthing class I took was the Lamaze class given in English by Rachelle Oseran. She was an excellent teacher who both my husband and I felt completely comfortable with. She is also the creator of the postnatal Baby Shape class. Highly recommended.
Birthing experience
Mazal tov! Baby boy was born on April 26th in Hadassah Ein Kerem. Read the review of my experience at Ein Kerem hospital and the birthing experience in general.