Preparing matters from before Shabbos:[1]

Once a pregnant woman has reached her ninth month she is to prepare as much as possible before Shabbos in order to diminish Shabbos desecration if need be.

What matters are to be prepared from before Shabbos within the 9th month?[2]

The following is to be taken care of prior to the 1st Shabbos within ones entering of the 9th month:

1. Registration:[3] Registration to the hospital and all the matters which pertain to her giving birth there such as the identification tags, and the testing of her type of blood.
2. Shave:[4] Remove any hair interfering with the birth from before Shabbos [if this is standard procedure in the hospital[5]].
3. Arranging for babysitter:[6] If the couple have only small children at home, then they should make arrangements prior to Shabbos for an adult to take care of them in the event that they must travel to the hospital on Shabbos.
4. Lights in house:[7] Leave a light on in the house throughout the night.
5. Phone on and pre-dialed:[8] One should leave the phone on for the duration Shabbos, and it is proper to pre-dial the number of the ambulance in order to diminish in the dialing on Shabbos.
6. Preparing the car:[9] If one will be traveling in their private car then one is to: Disengage the inner car lights from turning on upon opening the car doors[10]; remove Muktzah items from the car seats and in case one will be traveling past the Techum to remove all unnecessary items.[11]
7. Staying near the hospital for Shabbos:[12] If one does not live walking distance from the hospital then it is proper for them to arrange to stay for Shabbos in an area which is walking distance to the Hospital. However, if there is difficulty in doing so, then she is not obligated to do it, especially if there is a gentile ambulance driver available in her place.
8. If before Shabbos she begins feeling labor which may lead to birth, she should already go before Shabbos to the hospital and not wait for things to pick up and then go on Shabbos.[13]
9. Prepare clothing: Prepare clothing to bring with her to the hospital to avoid doing Borer on Shabbos.[14]

[1] Admur 330:3 “It is proper to beware that when the 9th month arrives one prepares all [the matters that would require desecration in the event she was to give birth on Shabbos] from before Shabbos in order so they will not be required to desecrate Shabbos.”; M”A 330:1; Sefer Chassidim 855; M”B 330:1; Chasam Sofer Y.D. 338; Aruch Hashulchan 330:3; Minchas Shlomo 7; Divrei Yatziv 1:170; Shraga Hameir 6:39; Nitei Gavriel chapter 57; Toras Hayoledes 2:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 330:2 footnote 14

[2] Piskeiy Teshuvos 330; Nitei Gavriel Chapter 57; Toras Hayoledes Chapter 2

[3] Nitei Gavriel 57:2; Toras Hayoledes 2:31; Piskeiy Teshuvos 330:2 footnote 15-16

[4] Teshuvos Vehanhagos 5:88; Toras Hayoledes 2:32; Piskeiy Teshuvos 330:2 footnote 17

[5] This used to be standard birth procedures in hospitals due to hygienic reasons. In most Modern countries this is no longer practiced.

[6] See Nitei Gavriel 58:16-17; Toras Hayoledes 2:46; 12; Piskeiy Teshuvos 330:2

[7] Toras Hayoledes 2:34; 5:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 330:2

[8] Toras Hayoledes 2:34-45 footnote 20; Piskeiy Teshuvos 330:2 footnote 18

[9] See Toras Hayoledes 2:4-30 in great length

[10] See Toras Hayoledes 2:13 and footnote 10

[11] Toras Hayoledes 2:23-24 and footnote 10

[12] See Nitei Gavriel 57:3; Toras Hayoledes 2:1; SSH”K 36:6; Minchas Asher 1:25; Piskeiy Teshuvos 330:2 footnote 19

[13] Ketzos Hashulchan 140 footnote 3 and 103; Orchos Rabbeinu p. 160; Nitei Gavriel 57:3-4; See Igros Moshe O.C. 1:131; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 5:88; Piskeiy Teshuvos 330:2 footnote 20-21

[14] Nitei Gavriel 57:7