The Hebrew Lingo You Need During Pregnancy in Israel

You're pregnant. Mazal tov! And also: you have a doctor's appointment next week and you're not entirely sure what's going to happen, what forms you'll need, or how to describe what you're feeling in Hebrew. That's a lot to hold at once.

The good news is that the Israeli medical system, for all its quirks, is genuinely solid for pregnancy care. The better news is that you don't need to become fluent in Hebrew to navigate it. You just need the right words at the right moments.

This is that list.

At the Gynecologist

Your OB or gynecologist is your rofe nashim (רופא נשים), literally "women's doctor." Here are the words that will come up most at these appointments:

• Herayon (הריון): Pregnancy

• B'herayon (בהריון): Pregnant ("ani b'herayon" = "I'm pregnant")

• Taarich vesset haacharon (תאריך וסת האחרון): Date of last menstrual period (your doctor will ask for this at your first appointment)

• Laledet (ללדת): To give birth

• Shlish (שליש): Trimester (first, second, third = rishon, sheni, shlishi)

• Shavua (שבוע): Week ("b'shavua esrim" = "at week twenty")

• Ta'arich leida meshuar (תאריך לידה משוער): Due date (literally "estimated birth date")

• Ultrasound or skira (סקירה): Ultrasound scan

• Dofek (דופק): Heartbeat

• Shilya (שלייה): Placenta

• Bechilot (בחילות): Morning sickness

• Chashakim (חשקים): Cravings

• Ayefut (עייפות): Fatigue

Tests and appointments

Pregnancy in Israel involves a clear schedule of tests. Knowing the names helps you understand your referrals and follow along when your doctor is explaining what comes next.

• Bdikat dam (בדיקת דם): Blood test

• Hafnaya (הפנייה): Referral (your doctor will issue one for most tests)

• Shkifut orpit (שקיפות עורפית): Nuchal translucency scan (early first-trimester screening)

• Seker biokimi shlish rishon (סקר ביוכימי שליש ראשון): First trimester biochemical screening

• Skirat maarachot mukdemet (סקירת מערכות מוקדמת): Early anatomy scan (typically around week 16)

• Skirat maarachot meucheret (סקירת מערכות מאוחרת): Late anatomy scan (typically around week 22, the detailed organ check)

• Bdikat mei shafir (בדיקת מי שפיר): Amniocentesis

• Hamasat sukar (העמסת סוכר): Glucose test (screens for gestational diabetes)

• Echo lev ubari (אקו לב עוברי): Fetal echo, also called a heart scan

Labor and birth vocabulary

Even if you plan to do your birth prep in English, it helps to recognize these terms when they come up in a Hebrew-speaking delivery room.

• Tzirim (צירים): contractions

• Pkiat mayim (פקיעת מים): water breaking

• Epidural (אפידורל): same word

• Nituach keysari (ניתוח קיסרי): C-section (literally "Caesarean surgery")

• Meyaledet (מיילדת): midwife (your main support person during labor in most Israeli hospitals)

• Doula (דולה): doula (same word)

💡 In most Israeli hospitals, your meyaledet is a trained midwife on staff, not a personal hire. Many families also choose to bring a private doula for continuity and support throughout labor.

After the birth

The words don't stop when the baby arrives.

• Chadar leida (חדר לידה): labor and delivery room

• Machleket yoldot (מחלקת יולדות): maternity ward (where you recover after birth)

• Yoetzet hanaka (יועצת הנקה): lactation consultant (hospitals typically have one on staff, and you can also access one through your Kupat Cholim)

• Dmey leida (דמי לידה): maternity leave payment from Bituach Leumi (National Insurance)

Final thoughts

Pregnancy in a second language takes extra mental energy, but you don't need to know every word. Most doctors speak basic English and you just need enough to follow along, ask the right questions, and not leave an appointment wondering what just happened.

And if you’d like to feel even more prepared for pregnancy and birth in Israel, we'd love to see you in one of our programs! Browse our upcoming in-person events or explore our online workshops designed specifically for parents in Israel ✌️