Traveling for Childbirth Before Shabbat
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Question
A woman has started labor contractions close to Shabbat, and it seems there are still a few hours until childbirth. Can she stay at home until the birth is nearer?
Answer
Shalom and blessings
If it is clear that she will need to go to the hospital on Shabbat, she must leave before Shabbat to avoid the need to desecrate Shabbat for her.
Source
The early commentators are divided on whether Shabbat is entirely permitted in the face of saving a life or if it is only temporarily set aside. The Mishnah Berurah (Siman 328, Se'if Katan 39) is concerned with opinions that it is only temporarily set aside, and therefore, there is no permission to perform on Shabbat work that can be done before Shabbat.
Additionally, the opinion of the Chatam Sofer (Part 2, Siman 333) is that even if Shabbat is permitted for saving a life, one must do what can be done before Shabbat.