A place of accessibility & inclusion

Pnina Margolis had her first baby at Shaare Zedek in 2019 –nothing unusual about that. However, Pnina was born with visual and hearing impairments and has an implant in each ear.

During her first pregnancy the professional birth experience and the high level of accessibility and adjustments that were made to give her everything she needed throughout the birth and in the days that followed.

Pnina was experiencing dizzy spells. When she arrived at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, it was identified that she had developed an infection in her hearing implants which later led to temporary paralysis in her lower body. Pnina had to be hospitalised for several months. However, Pnina is one of life’s fighters.

Pnina had her baby by C-Section and after a long hospitalisation where she was cared for by a multidisciplinary team including staff from Gynaecology, ENT, Neurology & Physical Therapy – Pnina was back on her feet within months, enjoying being a mother and training with a special running group for the visually impaired.

Fast forward to 2022 and Pnina came back to Shaare Zedek to have her second baby. Unfortunately, things weren’t as straightforward as she had hoped as she was diagnosed with severe Covid and a kidney infection. During this time, she needed to remain in hospital to be monitored. Pnina was looked after by a wonderful team of experts who helped her through some difficult times.

“The team were so well organised, thanks to Hila Stern and Uri Levi who planned everything from the moment I was hospitalised in the Corona department. At the start of my surgery a translator was not available and so my mother was allowed to accompany me until one arrived. The c-section went well and afterwards I received daily help and support from the nursing staff who helped me rest and recover. At home I have a cry detector that wakes me up through a vibration pillow. If the baby cries the device recognizes a crying and grumbling sound and then I wake up, but in the hospital, I needed the staff to hear the baby crying and wake me up and they did so with immense joy and love. I thank all the multidisciplinary team that treated me devotedly along the way. The girls were born healthy and without disabilities I am so happy for the privilege of being a mother and grateful for the privilege to give birth in a place where accessibility was the most important thing, alongside professionalism and humanity.”

Through adversity

Pnina was blessed to give birth to her second daughter and one of the most important things she said, was just how prepared the staff were. She highlighted how well the staff managed a visually and hearingimpaired patient in a special letter. She thanked staff for

We wish Pnina a huge Mazeltov and thank her for sharing her story with us