Possibility of Giving Birth on Shabbat
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Question
Hello, My wife has gestational diabetes, she is currently at 39+6 weeks, and her due date is on Shabbat. Due to the diabetes, she is not allowed to continue past the due date, but we were allowed to wait until Monday and then go to the hospital (Monday is 40+2). Therefore, it is very likely that labor will occur on Shabbat, and it is important for me to find out how to prepare for labor on Shabbat – 1. How many people are allowed to travel in an ambulance (the husband will certainly come, and there is also the mother and a doula...) 2. Is it preferable to travel by private car rather than by ambulance? It should be emphasized that I do not know any laws related to traveling by car on Shabbat... (If it is allowed for both the mother and the doula to accompany, the ambulance crew may not agree, so is it permitted to travel by private car for this?) 3. There is a TENS device intended to ease the pain during contractions – a. Is it permitted for use on Shabbat? b. Is it permitted to carry it on Shabbat for use in the hospital? I don't know if it's important to emphasize or not, but she was diagnosed with GBS, so the doctor said that as soon as contractions start or water breaks or movement decreases, one should travel on Shabbat even if it's doubtful, as it is a doubt of life-threatening situation...
Answer
Hello and wishing you an easy birth
1. Anyone needed for the birth can travel. Therefore, the husband can travel, and the mother, if the birthing woman needs her, is allowed. [I mean to emphasize that the mother should not travel just because "that's how it is, the mother comes to the birth," but only if the birthing woman needs her]. A doula - if needed. [Again, do not travel just because she usually takes a doula. Only if it is truly necessary for her to be calm during the birth or to ease the process].
2. An ambulance is easier in many respects, as you do not need to calculate every action in the car. It is also permitted to turn off the engine for the continuation of calls, etc. If there is a need for the mother and the doula, as mentioned in the previous section, it is also permitted to travel by car for this purpose.
When traveling by car, be careful not to turn off the engine at the end of the trip. Do not turn on or increase lights unnecessarily for reaching the hospital. When traveling by car outside the city, be sure to remove everything that is not needed for this trip.
3. It is permitted to use it to ease contractions. If possible, turn it on with a change, [with the back of the hand, elbow, etc.]. It is also permitted to carry it for this purpose.
Shabbat is desecrated for a doubt of life-threatening situation, so you should travel immediately according to the instructions.