In the next series of halachot, we will learn about some of the halachot related to giving birth on Shabbat. As we will see, in many respects, these halachot parallel and compliment the halachot we have learned over the past few weeks with respect to a patient whose life is in danger, since a woman during labor is also considered to be in danger (as is the fetus).

1. A woman in her ninth month of pregnancy should make sure she is prepared in advance for a potential Shabbat birth. This means that all of the items she needs to take with her to the hospital should be prepared, so that handling muktzah items on Shabbat is kept to a minimum. In addition, she should take care of whatever other arrangements need to be made in advance that could involve melachah (Mishnah Berurah 330:1).

2. Some recommend that the couple daven not to give birth on Shabbat, so as to minimize chilul Shabbat (Sefer Chasidim 793; see also Tractate Niddah 38a that the early “chasidim” used to try to prevent birth on Shabbat). However, others maintain that one should not do so, as such a prayer that interferes with the natural process and timing as set by Hashem would be inappropriate (Kaf Hachaim of R. Palagi, 27).

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for everlasting peace in Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.