Q&A

May a relative or friend accompany the Yoledes to the hospital?[1]

First Opinion: Any relative or friend who will help the Yoledes keep calm may travel with them. This applies even if there are other people in the car, such as a medic or EMT, and even if the Yoledes says that he/she does not need the escort of the relative or friend.[2] [However care must be taken to avoid Chilul Shabbos in the process, such as not to carry items with him/her if there is no Eiruv.]

Second Opinion: However, there are Poskim[3] which are less lenient and only allow an escort in a case that the Yoledes is asking for one.

Third Opinion: Others[4] allow it in the following cases: a) A first birth even if she says she does not need an escort. B) A 2nd birth and onwards so long as she does not say that she does not need it. C) Even if she says she does not need it by a 2nd birth and on, but she will be left in the ambulance in the care of gentiles. Thus, only if it is her 2nd or subsequent birth, and there is a Jewish driver or Medic with her, and she says that she does not need an escort should a friend or relative refrain from escorting her. 

May more than one person accompany the Yoledes to the hospital, such as her mother and husband?

Seemingly this should depend on how badly the Yoledes wants their company.

May one travel to a hospital of their choice or must it be the closest available hospital?[5]

One may travel to whichever hospital he/she feels that they will receive the best medical treatment or care. However, one may not travel to a further hospital simply to save money.

May one who traveled to the hospital to give birth and was then released on Shabbos, due to being told that she is not ready to give birth, return home on Shabbos?[6]

It is forbidden for her to drive back home. Although if there is no comfortable area where she can wait until after Shabbos[7] there is room to allow her to have a gentile drive her home, so long as her house is within Techum Shabbos. [8]

If on Shabbos one traveled to a hospital outside of Techum Shabbos as an escort for a Yoledes, may he/she walk out of the hospital?[9]

Yes.[10] One may walk within 2000 cubits from his destination. If he arrived in a city, he has the same Techum as do the city inhabitants.

When traveling to the hospital on Shabbos what items may one bring with him?

All items which the Yoledes will need for the actual birth, even if it is merely to help her feel relaxed and calm, may be brought in all cases. All other items may only be brought if:

1. The item is not Muktzah and,

2. One is traveling within the city [i.e. within Techum Shabbos] and,

3. There is an Eiruv in the city and,

4. The item is needed on Shabbos.

·  If one prepared their bag before Shabbos with items that may not be brought, must they remove it on Shabbos prior to leaving?

If there is no time to do so, such as that the Yoledes must immediately go to the hospital, then there is no need to clear the bag. If, however, time does remain then the Muktzah and other unnecessary item are to be shaken out.

If one is traveling outside of Techum Shabbos must the escorts diminish in the amount of clothing they wear? Such as may the husband take his hat, gartel, kapata?

No.[11]

Advice to be able to carry items out of Techum:[12]

Those traveling on Shabbos and Yom Tov to a hospital that is outside of the Techum may only bring with them items that are of absolute necessity for the birth, as explained above. If, however, one makes the item Hefker before Shabbos/Yom Tov then it is permitted to bring the item outside of the techum. Hence, it is advised that the wife and escort make Hefker all items that they desire to bring with them to the hospital [and are not needed for the actual birth]. Initially, the items are to be made Hefker in front of three people. If this is not possible, it is to be made Hefker even amongst oneself.