Gila Zarbiv, a dedicated midwife from Israel, believes midwifery is crucial for women’s health. She sees it as “the gold standard,” a view supported by the World Health Organization. Gila is not just passionate; she’s also a frontline worker at a hospital and volunteers with Magen David Adom (MDA). Her goal? To improve women’s access to midwifery care in Israel’s health system.
Every time her MDA phone rings, it signifies a change in how women receive care. Whether she’s at home with her family, studying for her Ph.D., or writing, she’s ready to respond if a woman needs help during labor or in a postpartum emergency. Gila grabs her midwifery kit and heads out, driven by a commitment to support women in need.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Gila moved to Israel after graduating from Yeshiva University in 2007. She trained as a nurse at Hadassah Ein Kerem, completed her midwifery training in 2014, and earned a master’s in women’s health in 2020. Now, she’s in her final year of a Ph.D. program at Ben-Gurion University, focusing on health-systems policy and how to enhance midwifery care models in Israel.
Gila’s vision goes beyond clinical care. She wants midwives to play a larger role in health leadership and policy discussions. While midwives are central to childbirth, their contributions outside the delivery room are often overlooked. “If any country needs full-scope midwifery care, it’s Israel,” she said, emphasizing the importance of support throughout the entire maternity journey.
Since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, the need for midwifery care has become even clearer. In remote areas, accessing hospitals can be tough, especially for expectant mothers. In response, MDA and the Israel Midwives Organization created the First Contractions program in 2024. This initiative integrates trained midwives into the emergency-response system. What began as a small group has expanded into a nationwide network, connecting midwives with emergency dispatchers to ensure timely care for pregnant women.
Statistics show this program has already made a significant impact. In 2026 alone, MDA teams treated over 6,100 pregnant women, with many giving birth either at home or in transit. Gila notes that these midwives are not just there to deliver babies; they monitor the health of both mother and baby before, during, and after labor. For instance, she once treated a woman with dangerously high blood pressure—a situation requiring quick, informed action.
Postpartum care is another area of concern for Gila. Many women face complications after giving birth, but the system often lacks a familiar face to support them during this critical period. She recalls a touching moment when a newly delivered mother initially refused help until she realized Gila was there to provide care at no cost. “It’s about building trust,” Gila explained. “Women need to know we are here for everyone.”
Gila believes midwifery reflects the diversity of Israeli society. Jewish, Arab, Christian, and Druze midwives work side by side, emphasizing the unity in providing care. She recommends aspiring midwives train in Israel to grasp the cultural context and healthcare landscape deeply. “The context matters just as much as the medicine,” she said.
Gila balances various roles—full-time midwife, researcher, mother, and advocate. She aims to elevate midwives from the sidelines of policy discussions to the forefront of women’s healthcare. “When midwives are part of the emergency health response, they can positively influence outcomes,” she stated. Gila envisions a future where the urgency seen in emergencies applies equally to women’s health policy. Israel has the tools to act when lives are at stake; now, Gila insists, it must recognize the importance of women’s health and give midwives a central place in that conversation.
For more insights on women’s health and policies, you can explore resources from the World Health Organization here: WHO on Midwives.
