Getting to the Hospital
You can get to the hospital either by private taxi or by ambulance. If you go with MADA (Magen David Adom ambulance), Bituach Leumi will pay them directly if you give birth within three days. If you do not, you will be required to pay for their service.
On Shabbos
There is a Shabbos goy in Yerushalayim who charges for transportation to the hospital. He has an arrangement for how to pay him after Shabbos. His number is 052-267-1526. There are other options available in different neighborhoods. Speak to your local rav or labor coach to learn about the best option for you. (For example, in Beitar Illit they have an arrangement with MADA to send only non-Jewish ambulance drivers on Shabbos.) Note: Using a kosher cell phone on Shabbos incurs a high fee; if there is another option available it may be worthwhile to use that instead.
Maternity Ward Visiting Hours
Bikur Cholim
7:00 am–9:00 pm – husband or one adult visitor only; 4:00 pm–7:00 pm
Shaare Zedek
7:00 am–8:30 pm – husband plus one adult visitor; 4:30 pm–8:30 pm
Hadassah Har Tzofim
8:00 am–9:00 pm – husband only; 11:00 am–12:00 pm, 3:30 pm–6:30 pm, 7:00 pm–8:00 pm
Hadassah Ein Kerem
8:00 am–10:00 pm – husband only; 12:30 pm–1:30 pm, 3:30 pm–5:00 pm, 7:00 pm–8:00pm
Leaving the Hospital
Before your discharge, you will receive these documents:
- Teudat shichrur for mother and for baby ‒ a discharge note and medical record. Bring the baby’s teudat shichrur to your first Tipat Chalav (Well Clinic) visit. Bring your own teudat shichrur to your postpartum doctor’s visit. You will also need it if you go to a beit hachlama (convalescent home).
- Vaccination record for your baby, if he/she received any immunizations. This should be brought to all Tipat Chalav appointments.
- Teudat leidah chai ‒ a temporary birth certificate. This must be exchanged for the baby’s official Israeli birth certificate in Misrad Hapnim whether or not your baby is Israeli.
Note: Hospitals often give vouchers for a free night in beit hachlamah, but they might not offer it unless you request it before you leave.
Beit Hachlamah
Beit hachlamah means “convalescent home.” Women in Israel commonly spend time in a beit hachlamah after birth. It offers mothers a chance to rest and recuperate while nurses care for their babies. Your kupot cholim may pay fully or partially for a number of days in a beit hachlamah, depending on which level of insurance you have, how long you have been a member of the insurance, and how many children you have. Inquire with your kupat cholim for details.
The following are the the most popular batei hachlamah:
Telzstone: Hagra 24, Telzstone – 02-533-1010
Em V’Yeled: Avnei Nezer 10, Bnei Brak – 03-617-2222
Hadassah Baby: Ein Kerem Hospital – 02-560-8555
Pinukit: Shaare Zedek Hospital – 02-666-6111
Bikurim: Rechov Haneviim 25, Geulah – 02-671-5551
For information on legalities involved in birth, see Birth Legalities for Mother & Child.