The Chassidic family from Rehov Bar-Ilan, already includes a 14-year-old son, a 10-year-old son, a 7-year-old daughter, 4-year-old fraternal twins, and a 2-year-old daughter whom the mother was still nursing when she got pregnant.
The newborns — three boys and a girl born at the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy — are healthy and breathing independently without a respirator. They range in weight from 3.2 pounds to 3.6 pounds. All are fraternal.
“When we discovered early on that she was carrying four embryos, we suggested embryonic reduction, but they didn’t want to hear of it for religious reasons,” said Professor Ariel Milwidsky, acting head of the obstetrics department at Hadassah-University Hospital on Mount Scopus.
The mother was hospitalized at Hadassah for two months before delivery, to ensure she did not go into premature labor. She underwent a cesarean section on the eve of Shavuot after contractions started.
“Thank God, they are all well. It’s one of God’s miracles,” said the mother, who gave the Jerusalem Post an exclusive interview but declined to be identified, even by her initials.
“We have a large extended family, who will help out, and we’ll manage fine,” said the bespectacled mother, sitting serenely on the edge of her sixth-floor hospital bed.
The couple live with their six children in a three-room apartment. She hopes to be discharged soon and go to a convalescent home, and then to take the babies home when they are big enough.
“We are shy about getting help from strangers. Have people donate to those who really need assistance,” added the father.