Giving Birth on Shabbos: Practical Halachos for Traveling to the Hospital

Thank you for your question.

Since there are a lot of details regarding the halachos of giving birth on Shabbos, I would like to share with you the pesakim of HaGaon HaRav Amrom Fried shlit”a, on this matter.

One should travel with a non-Jewish driver if possible. If no non-Jew is available, they should travel by private car. If there is no private car available, they may travel by ambulance.

If traveling in a private car, the engine should be turned off by a non-Jew. if that's not possible then, it should be turned off in an unusual manner (b’shinui).

A woman giving birth has the halachic status of a dangerously ill person, and one may desecrate Shabbos for her needs. Nevertheless, one should minimize Shabbos desecration as much as possible, such as preparing whatever can be prepared before Shabbos, and where possible performing melachos in an unusual manner, for example pressing telephone buttons with the back of the finger. However, if doing something b’shinui will cause delay, then it would be a Mitsvah to do it normally without delay.

Preparations before Shabbos:

In order to minimize unnecessary pressing of the phone buttons on Shabbos, it is proper to disable the phone keypad lock before Shabbos. It is also advisable to call the necessary numbers before Shabbos so that they will appear in the call history, making them easier to access if needed. Likewise, if navigation will be used to reach the hospital, the hospital address should be entered into the GPS before Shabbos.

If one is planning to travel in a private car, one should switch off before Shabbos anything unnecessary for the trip, such as unnecessary lights or music systems that automatically turn on with the car.

If planning to travel to a hospital outside the city, unnecessary items should be removed from the car before Shabbos in order to avoid issues of carrying and traveling beyond the techum unnecessarily.

From what stage may one desecrate Shabbos?

For a first birth, one may travel to the hospital once contractions are occurring every 10 minutes and each contraction lasts about one minute.

A woman who has already given birth, or for a woman who usually gives birth quickly, one may travel according to how she feels that the birth is approaching.

If there is water breaking, serious bleeding, or strong downward pressure, she should travel to the hospital even if contractions are not yet felt.

If fetal movement has not been felt for several hours, even after eating chocolate and lying on her side, she should travel to the hospital.

Traveling to the hospital:

One should travel to the nearest hospital. However, if the woman prefers a more distant hospital because she believes the staff there are more professional or for similar reasons, it is permitted to travel there.

It is preferable to travel with a non-Jewish driver. Therefore, for example residents of Bnei Brak should contact the Ezras Mitzion hotline, and they will send a non-Jewish driver to the home of the woman in labor. If possible, the phone should be dialed b’shinui, using the back of the finger. It is recommended to save the number in the phone’s call history before Shabbos.

If traveling with a non-Jew is not possible, traveling by private car is preferable, and the engine should be turned off by a non-Jew. If no non-Jew is available, it should be turned off b’shinui.

If no private car is available, one may call an ambulance and does not need to trouble neighbors for help. Again, it is preferable to save the number before Shabbos and, if possible, dial b’shinui.

Those accompanying the woman:

Anyone whom the woman needs may accompany her to the hospital. Therefore, the husband may join the trip, and if necessary, the mother may also join. If a doula or birth supporter is needed, she may come as well.

If it is necessary to call the mother or doula, it is permitted, and if possible the call should be made b’shinui.

If small children remain at home: if the driver is a non-Jew, they may be driven to the grandmother’s house for example. However, if the driver is Jewish, one should leave them with neighbors or should be taken on foot to the grandmother’s house. If these options are not possible, then in pressing circumstances they may be driven to the grandmother’s house as well.

Wishing you much Hatslacha.

Pesakim of HaGaon HaRav Amrom Fried shlit”a.