Community Magazine December 2019

Divine Intervention It was just then that Jacob got a call. It was Rabbi H. saying that Rabbi F. got in touch with him. The couple was surprised to hear what Rabbi F. had to say. He told them not to go through with the procedure, that they would have two healthy babies. The couple asked the rabbi if he was sure. He told them the choice was still theirs to make, and that regardless, they can go through with the procedure if they thought it best. However, after hearing such a great rabbi say that they would have two healthy babies, their minds were already made up. It was now just a matter of deciding who would inform the doctor that they were not going to go through with the surgery. When the doctor came into the room, Jacob informed her that they chose not to go through with the procedure. The doctor asked if they were sure. “Doctor tell me please, how many people in our position decide not to do it?” asked Gloria. “About one out of every three patients in your particular position don’t go through with it,” responded the doctor. “Okay,” replied Gloria with a smile, trying to infuse some humor to relieve the tension, “then I’ll be the one!” Prescription: Bed Rest and a High-Risk Expert When the Mizrahis came home from their trip, Gloria was put on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. She had to literally lie down and was not allowed to do anything or leave the house for any reason other than for a doctor’s visit, which she went to weekly.  Sephardic Bikur Holim was able to get Gloria an appointment with a high-risk doctor, as it was clear that she could not simply return to her regular doctor.  About two weeks after leaving Philadelphia, Gloria was scheduled to see her new doctor. The doctor himself, rather than an ultrasound technician, did Gloria’s sonogram. Immediately he informed the couple that there was a problem. He instructed them to go to the hospital right away, there was a one of three chance that Gloria would give birth that very night. He said he would not accompany them, but he instructed them which hospital to go to, to say it was an emergency, and what doctor to ask for. Gloria was rushed to the hospital (at just 25 weeks). When she got there the doctor could see she was having contractions. Since it was still too early in her pregnancy to give birth, they gave her magnesium to stop the contractions. Gloria remained in the hospital so she could be closely monitored. The Miracle of Two Healthy Babies The baby girls were born two weeks later, at 27 weeks of pregnancy. To the parents' relief and amazement, they were both born healthy, with no apparent defects or illnesses! This was truly a miracle from Hashem. The couple felt like they had won the lottery! The preemies had to stay in the hospital for about three to four months, as is usual for premature babies born so early. The girls were only two pounds each at birth. Jacob and Gloria went back and forth to the hospital during that time to take care of their miracle twins. Although they thankfully did not go through with the procedure, the couple knew it was truly from Hashem that they made the trek to Philadelphia. If the doctor had not removed the two liters of water from Baby B’s sack, Gloria would have given birth at 22 weeks, and the babies would have been too young and tiny to survive. Gloria was admittedly paranoid as the babies grew, constantly checking to make sure they were truly healthy. The Mizrahis are very grateful to Hashem that the girls are healthy. Today the identical twin girls are six years old and are just like any other kids. You can’t tell they are any different fromtheir peers, which is perhaps the biggestmiracle of all. The Mizrahis continued, with the help of Hashem, to grow their family.Theyhadanothergirlafterthetwingirls,andinthepastyearhad twin boys! Although Gloria’s second twin pregnancy was not simple at all, baruchHashem theboyswerebornhealthy,andtherestisastoryfor another time! The Take Away Lesson What can we take away from this story? We learn that everything we go through, the good and seemingly bad, is all part of Gd’s plan. Trusting in Hashem is always the best route, and consulting with rabbis is important when you need guidance on matters small and large. Living our lives with this recognition can result in daily miracles like the ones stated above. Emunah is a gift that we should all be blessed with! * The names of the people in this story have been changed. 32 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE