Look who came to visit

Ilanit Levy from Or Akiva begins her daughter Hodaya's happy story by saying, "The time in the Neonatal Care Department is not an easy period." "We were here for 10 weeks, after she was born in Week 29 of a difficult pregnancy, much of which I spent on bed rest in the High-Risk Pregnancy Unit here at Hillel Yaffe.  Just recalling the experience brings tears to her eyes, even if it was a very happy day - her daughter's fourth birthday.

Hodaya, who spent her early days in the Neonatal Care Department, is busy charming and flirting with the staff. For her, they are almost like family. She visits Hagit, the department secretary, in her office and gets a hug. From there, she proceeds to the charge nurse, Yasmin Peretz, and while being held by her mother gets an explanation of what happened while she was in the incubator, where another premie is currently being treated. "You see, you were here. Right here in this corner," said Ilanit. "And we sat next to you, giving you the kangaroo treatment*, like nurse Mana Ingra taught us. Dr. Sylvia Foldi and Dr. Michael Feldman would always come and tell us about what was happening with you and what would come next."

Hodaya was born and taken to the Neonatal Care Department with the very low weight of 1.110kg, and 10 weeks later was discharged in good health, weighing 2.010kg.

"Since then, I come here every year on her birthday, tell her the story of her birth and show her everything," said Ilanit. "We visit the staff of the High-Risk Pregnancy Unit, the Child Development Institute and the Neonatal Care Department. They are like a second family to us. It's very important to me that she know this and also know how to say thank you."

And what does the staff have to say? Dr. Feldman, Director of the Newborn and Neonatal Care Department, and Yasmin Peretz, the unit charge nurse, discussed the special relationship that develops, both with Hodaya Levy and her family as well as other families. "It's like that in the Neonatal Care Department. The long hours they spend here with the baby, during such a sensitive period, are very meaningful. They develop a strong relationship with us, as we do with them. We've even adopted a 'wedding' procedure for the preterm babies. In other words, when premies who grow up and stay in touch with us get married, we frame their letter of discharge and give it to them as a wedding gift. While Hodaya is only four, we hope to be with her on that occasion as well," they said with a smile.

Hillel Yaffe Medical Center is currently raising funds to renovate and upgrade the Neonatal Care Department for the benefit of its little patients and their parents.

*Kangaroo care is a technique where the infant is held skin-to-skin. It encourages maximum closeness, with the preterm baby positioned vertically on the mother's or father's chest. Studies have shown that the technique helps both preterm babies and parents, promoting the physical and emotional development of the preterm child.

Ilanit and Hodaya Levi visit the Neonatal Care Department