בנשמה

These three search words, "coronavirus pregnancy vaccine," have been on my top Google search for the past two months. Either waiting to share bad news or reinforce the decision to get vaccinated. You see, I'm one of the 100,000+ pregnant women and counting who will #notdelay their shot. More states are now prioritizing the vaccine to pregnant women, as the risks are becoming apparent with intubation for the mother, and pre-term delivery (and some babies sadly not making it). The experience today was a bit nutty. There were 3 nurses in different rooms giving out the vaccine. A teenager, aged 16 was going for her second dose. Upon asking what the driving force was for her, it was the promise of not being put again into isolation. There also seemed to be a peer component, which was interesting. Given that our family has miraculously dodged isolation, the psychological impact is one we didn't personally have to do with. But the rationale makes complete sense.  Furthermore

Labor and Delivery in Israel Unlike the United States (or at least in Massachusetts, where a doctor is found matching a hospital of your choice) here in Israel there's no direct affiliation (unless you see a private ob-gyn who performs delivery as well).  Hospitals here vary tremendously in size, philosophy, and amenities.  Having had two children born at Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston that was very industrial (no tubs, but private recovery room) and the third at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Newton, MA, there's a huge perk to have a tub to help ease contractions and a private room for recovery (why hospital recovery rooms are even shared now during a pandemic is mind-boggling).  Zoom tours have made it particularly easy to see what the different hospitals offer. My two priorities while researching these Israel hospitals are as follows: 1) That my spouse can stay with me overnight (whether in a private room or shared) and 2) That there be a tub option, ideally, to labor in (not

The poppy seed flower has made its way into the field of Israel!  Not far from Beit Shemesh is a Tel that overlooks much of the area. Often Israelis enjoy hiking alongside these flowers and taking photographs. One child wasn't too thrilled to leave the house (by now, the weather has become hotter and they are used to being inside). We made up for it by sitting on a rock, talking about caterpillars and rattlesnakes. The younger two continued up the hill to see more of the view.  A memory resurfaced of my mother singing the song by Shoshana Damari, Kalaniyot and a specific verse spoke volumes to me: אֶת הַפְּרָחִים לִצְרוֹר הִיא תְּלַקֵּט לָהּ, וּבַשְּׁבִילִים הַמִּתְכַּסִּים בְּטַל אֶל אִמָּא הִיא נֶחְפֶּזֶת וְקוֹרֵאת לָהּ... כלניות כלניות Funny how these memories pop up here and there, reigniting the acute loss, even amongst the gleaming smiles and growth that keeps us oddly going. Funny how memories do that here and there. Especially when we least expect it, amongst wonderful bea