I had a new baby — and no white blood cells. No one knew what was going on
ON the surface, I look like an average American — a young, married woman spending a few years in Yerushalayim while my husband learns in kollel. Can’t get more typical than that, right? And while what happened to me here in Israel was far beyond the norm, it might have been my background as a typical American that caused all the trouble.
Let’s back up a bit.
We were expecting our first child and decided I’d give birth in Bikur Cholim Hospital. During labor, the baby’s heart rate dropped dangerously low, and I was rushed into an emergency cesarean section. Baruch Hashem, the baby was all right; so was I, albeit a little disappointed that my first birth was through surgery.
But everyone assured me that nowadays, women can have a zillion births naturally after a C-section and I vowed to make it happen the next time.
Two years later, I was expecting again and was psyched that I would deliver naturally this time. I did exercises and prepared myself in every way that I could. I chose Hadassah Har Hatzofim hospital because I was told that the staff there would be helpful when it came to natural births after a C-section. I went into labor davening for a normal, healthy, natural birth.
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