She might be the smallest, but she's a fighter

"We were so excited and wanted her so badly," say Mohammed and Hanan Mahajana, residents of Umm al-Fahm, with tears of joy in their eyes. Beside them is Bisan, wearing a festive outfit, right before being discharged from Hillel Yaffe's NICU. "The pregnancy was fine," continued Mohammed, "Until the screening tests at the end of the 22nd week of pregnancy, when the doctor told us that he saw that the cervix was already dilated and sent us immediately to the emergency room."

Hanan was taken from the emergency room to the At-Risk Pregnancy Unit for observation. After being hospitalized for several days, in Week 23 and a few days (a normal pregnancy is generally 40 weeks), the doctors saw that her cervix was continuing to dilate, and that Hanan was actually just about to give birth. After consultation, the experts made the unusual decision to give Hanan an injection to help the baby's lungs mature (this injection is generally not given in this week of pregnancy), and she was taken to the delivery room. There, facing yet another medical dilemma and in a decision made together with the parents, Hanan gave birth to her first born through a regular delivery.

"She was connected to every possible tube," said Mohammed. "For three weeks there was real concern for her life, and we were extremely anxious. The NICU staff was incredible and supported us throughout our journey in a way that is simply indescribable. Aside from the wonderful medical care provided by Dr. Foldi, Dr. Erez Nadir, Dr. Amit Hochberg and Dr. Michael Feldman, all of the nurses in the unit were fabulous.  Additionally, social worker Keren Haliva was with us the entire time and was our 'savior.' She taught us how to cope emotionally with the difficult situation, how to support each other and mainly how to be there for our daughter and take one step at a time in this very stressful situation."

Dr. Michael Feldman,  Director of the Newborn and Neonatal Care Department at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, referred to Bisan as a little fighter. "This baby, who was born so early and survived, despite all the negative statistics we see in the professional literature, was discharged in a developmental condition that I define as outstanding. We don't see many like this on our world. Premature infants born in the 23rd week of pregnancy have a 40% chance of survival, and among those who survive, there is a strong chance of neurological and developmental issues throughout their lives. For our staff members, who always try to do everything possible for our tiny patients, watching her go home, in her physical and neurological condition, is a small victory that gives us all so much satisfaction. She will obviously need to be monitored, but this is true for any premature baby that is discharged from any hospital."

At home, in Umm al-Fahm, the whole family is eagerly awaiting Bisan and her parents, and despite their long journey - three months in the NICU and tremendous stress, her parents are sure that this little one will grow up to do great things. NICU staff believes this as well.

NICU staff with Bisan and her parents upon discharge