The miracle of the twins of the Yosef family
The birth of Gilat Yosef’s twins began at her home in Kiryat Ata but she did not expect the drama to come.
Gilat and Ella and the twins
When Gilat’s labour began at her home in Kiryat Ata, her husband Nestor dialled Magen David Adom’s 101 Emergency Call Center for an ambulance, as she was pregnant with twins. The MDA team arrived quickly at their home and the paramedic immediately identified that the birth had begun. The first baby was born healthy. With the second birth slightly delayed, the decision was made to evacuate Gilat in the MICU to Rambam Hospital.
While en route to the hospital, the second birth took place and the baby was born blue and not breathing. MDA Paramedic Ella Shafir immediately began the emergency protocol including clearing her mouth and stimulating the baby. After what felt like forever, the baby gave a weak cry. She was given oxygen to further stabilize her condition. This week, the family was released from the hospital in good health and the twins joined their five and a half-year-old brother.
About the first birth, Magen David Adom EMT Naim Naim recalled: “We arrived at the house, after receiving report of a woman having contractions every five minutes. Gilat lay in the bedroom and we were getting ready to deliver the baby. After a few minutes, the head started to emerge and the girl came out, crying and cute. At the same time, the mobile intensive care team arrived on the scene. We cleaned the baby off and everyone was thrilled.
MDA paramedic Ella Shafir, who delivered Gilat’s second baby, added: “There was drama in an intensive care unit, the first baby was on my hands and then the second birth began – and all two minutes from the hospital. She emerged quickly but terribly small and breathless. Really blue. I transferred the baby I had in my hands to Gilat’s husband Nestor and immediately began medical operations to stimulate the baby to breathe. After a few nerve-racking moments, to our great joy, she started breathing and I immediately gave her to her mother. There was a faint sound of crying, which signalled to us that everything was fine. The parents did not fully understand what had happened, in all the confusion and emotions involved. It was a double and exciting birth,
Mum Gilat Yosef said: “I did not want to give birth at home or in the ambulance, but there was no choice. Two minutes away from the hospital I gave birth, and to be honest I did not really understand what was happening around me. MDA’s dedicated staff reassured me. I was confused and had just given birth twice, my husband and I just wanted to know they were okay.
This week we were released from the hospital when the twins were healthy. We had already spent sleepless nights with them. I have no words to sum up the experience. White angels came to help me and thanks to the right people, the births went well, despite the complications and even though I gave birth at home and in the ambulance. If I have another birth – I know what staff I would like to have with me at the hospital. “
