1. We mentioned yesterday that a woman in her ninth month of pregnancy should prepare for a Shabbat birth as much as possible to reduce the amount of melachah necessary should she go into labor on Shabbat. If she does go into labor, she is permitted to violate Shabbat in whatever way is necessary, even if she could have prepared more fully before Shabbat. Some of the preparations that could be helpful include: leaving lights on at home in places she may have to search for belongings to take, packing muktzah items before Shabbat, and printing or filling out any forms that can be handled beforehand.

2. When packing her things, she should try to avoid taking unnecessary muktzah items with her. Whatever is needed should be placed in a bag with other permitted items, which constitutes a “basis l’davar ha’assur v’hamutar” (base for a permitted and forbidden item). Such a bag is permitted to move if the permitted items are more valuable or needed on Shabbat (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 310:8; Shulchan Shlomo 310:28; “Halachos of Muktza,” p.188).

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