Between Contractions and Goals: The Mexican Doctor Couple Who Welcomed Their First Baby While Watching the World Cup

Dr. Norma Espinoza and Dr. Homero Salcido moved from Mexico to Israel several years ago. After a friend recommended Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, they both chose to complete their medical residencies there. Today, they live in Hadera and are both residents at the hospital. Dr. Salcido is completing his residency in Surgery Department A, while Dr. Espinoza is a resident in the Ophthalmology Department.

Naturally, when it came time to welcome their first child, they chose to give birth at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. By coincidence, labor began just as one of the world's biggest sporting events, the FIFA World Cup, was underway. Between contractions, with Mexico's national team playing on the screen, Norma and Homero counted breathing exercises together with their midwife, Kristina Yinov, who helped position the baby, monitored Norma and the baby throughout labor, and guided them through the birth.

"Sure, you can always watch the game on your phone," Homero said with a smile, "but it's really nice to have a big screen in the delivery room, just like at home." Norma added, "It definitely helped take my mind off the contractions, especially when Mexico scored."

Between goals and contractions, the couple welcomed their first son and became a family of three. Now, all that's left is to see who wins the World Cup.

Norma and Homero watch the FIFA World Cup in Hillel Yaffe Medical Center's delivery room with their midwife