Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim · Siman 330

Shulchan Arukh Orach Chayim 330 — English translation

Translation: Sefaria Community Translation. Section numbers match the Hebrew text above.

1. 11. A woman giving birth is treated as a dangerously ill person and Shabbat is desecrated for everything that she needs. We call a midwife from place to place. We help (her) give birth and light a candle for her, even if she is blind. In any event, that which can be done slightly differently is done differently. For example, if she needs an object brought to her, her friend can bring it tied to her hair, etc.
2. 22. We do not help a non-Jew give birth on Shabbat, even by doing something that involves no desecration of Shabbat.
3. 33. She is considered in childbirth regarding desecration of Shabbat if she is sitting on the "crisis chair," or if blood is flowing, or if her friends must lift her by her arms because she cannot walk. If one of these signs appears, we desecrate the Shabbat for her.
4. 44. All three days [after childbirth], even if she says that it is not necessary, we desecrate the Shabbat for her. From day three to day seven, if she says it isn't necessary, we don't desecrate. From seven on, even if she says it is necessary, we don't desecrate; rather, until day thirty, she is treated as a non-endangered sick person.
5. 55. If she dies while in labor, we bring a knife even through the public domain on Shabbat and cut open her stomach to remove the fetus, in case it is found to be alive. Rem"a: We do not even do this on weekdays because we are not skilled at identifying the mother's death soon enough such that it is possible that fetus can be alive (Issur v'Heter).
6. 66. We make a fire for the mother until thirty days after childbirth, even in the summer. (Regarding whether others are allowed to warm themselves by this fire, see chapter 276.)
7. 77. For the newborn, we take care of all of his needs. We wash him, salt him, hide the placenta so that the child will be warm, and cut the umbilical cord. This is for a nine-month or a seven-month infant, but for an eight-month infant or possibly seven and possibly eight, we do not desecrate the Shabbat unless he has grown hair and nails.
8. 88. If the infant was born after an eight-month pregnancy or after a pregnancy which may be either seven or eight months and he does not have grown hair or nails, it is forbidden to carry him. His mother leans over him and breastfeeds him because the milk pains her. She can also use her hand to release the milk that pains her.
9. 99. We set an infant's limbs straight if they were broken because of the pain of childbirth.
10. 1010. It is permitted to swaddle the infant in clothes so that his limbs will not be crooked.
11. 1111. If the esophagus of the infant falls, it is permitted to put a hand in his throat and put it back in place even if this may induce vomiting.

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