I had a new baby — and no white blood cells. No one knew what was going on

As told to Faigy Peritzman

ON the surface, I look like an average American — a young, married woman spending a few years in Yerushalayim while my husband learns in kollel. Can’t get more typical than that, right? And while what happened to me here in Israel was far beyond the norm, it might have been my background as a typical American that caused all the trouble.

Let’s back up a bit.

We were expecting our first child and decided I’d give birth in Bikur Cholim Hospital. During labor, the baby’s heart rate dropped dangerously low, and I was rushed into an emergency cesarean section. Baruch Hashem, the baby was all right; so was I, albeit a little disappointed that my first birth was through surgery.

But everyone assured me that nowadays, women can have a zillion births naturally after a C-section and I vowed to make it happen the next time.

Two years later, I was expecting again and was psyched that I would deliver naturally this time. I did exercises and prepared myself in every way that I could. I chose Hadassah Har Hatzofim hospital because I was told that the staff there would be helpful when it came to natural births after a C-section. I went into labor davening for a normal, healthy, natural birth.

I was in labor for 33 hours. (I was unable to get an epidural due to risk of infection.) As the hours schlepped on, the staff repeatedly suggested a C-section because I was so exhausted and in pain, but I was determined to keep trying. Then, toward the end of those 33 hours, something went wrong. The monitor showed no fetal heart rate. Time stood still. The staff rushed me into surgery. I went under the knife without knowing if my baby was alive.

B’chasdei Hashem, my baby girl was born normal and healthy. It was a neis. I was on such a high that I wouldn’t let myself focus on anything negative: not that I’d had another C-section, and not how lousy I felt after the surgery.

A few days after the birth, I came home. I was so excited to see my toddler, so proud to introduce her to her new sister, and so ready to leave the hospital behind. All I wanted to do was to settle down mommying my babies.

Over a week after the birth, the baby was doing well, but I still felt severe pain. I decided to go back to Hadassah Har Hatzofim. Maybe something was wrong with the incision? It was Erev Shabbos. (Isn’t it always Erev Shabbos when these emergencies happen?) Back in Hadassah, the doctor reassured me that these were regular after birth contractions and would pass. The doctor did mention that my white blood cell count was very low, but that it was probably a mistake. I should go home for Shabbos and repeat the blood work on Sunday.