33-year-old Pearl was born with visual and hearing impairments, which means she’s had to face and overcome many challenges throughout her life. Before giving birth to her first daughter three and a half years ago, Pearl developed a brain infection, that led to a complication, and caused temporary paralysis in the lower body. After a long hospitalization at Shaare Zedek, delivery, and rehabilitation, she never stopped fighting, and even restarted one of her passions—competing in running and surfing marathons.
Recently, Pearl was excited to welcome her second baby into the world. Pearl’s second pregnancy began with a severe case of Coronavirus, and a kidney infection. She stayed at Shaare Zedek, connected to nutrition and medicines 24/7.
“The challenges begin the moment you wait in line and they call me and I miss it and continue with the surgery that I needed translation during the surgery and in the end – a match with the baby. Meaning the staff should know how to approach and conduct in front of me. After thinking, I decided that the birth I want to pass in a hospital that the awareness of the subject is the highest I know of – at Shaare Zedek! The birth being a c-section. The team was organized properly thanks to the manager of the service division and patient experience, Hila Stern and Uri Levy from the safety of Shaare Tzedek who have already talked and prepared the operating room management about the Knesset translated and took care of me along the way more from the hospitalization in the Corona department. Since the surgery was advanced and the translator was not present at the hospital, the staff in the operating room increased their heads and allowed my mother to enter the surgery until the translator arrives and replace the same thing that is not obvious at all. Like in the previous pregnancy, also this time the Department of Physiotherapy headed by Vered Hoover Mahlin supported me and accompanied me throughout my recovery from surgery day to day. The c-section went well. After the birth I received daily and close breastfeeding instructions because it was harder for me because of the complexity. The nursing staff supported and helped throughout the day and at night the baby staff helped me excellently with the baby and fed her to allow me to rest and recover calmly. I thank all the multidisciplinary team that treated me devotedly along the way. Happy for the right to be a mother and grateful for the right to give birth in a place where accessibility was the most prominent line alongside professionalism and humanity”.
Pearl recently gave birth to her second, healthy baby, and in a special letter, she thanked the staff for the compassionate care she received leading up to, and during her birth experience, and the high level of accessibility, ensuring that her unique needs were always met. Mazel Tov, Pearl, your friends at The Canadian Shaare Zedek Hospital Foundation wish you and your beautiful family lots of joy and health!
