As soon as a woman feels the first signs of labor, even if she is unsure, a midwife may be summoned even [if she must come] from a great distance.¹

footnotes: ¹ Or the woman may be taken to the hospital.

A woman at childbirth is considered a critically-ill patient, and the Shabbos may be violated for whatever she requires. However, if it can possibly be done in an unusual manner, or by a non-Jew, it should be done.² in an unusual manner or have a non-Jew do them. She is considered "a woman at childbirth" when seated on the birthing-stool,³ or as soon as there is a flow of blood,⁴ or if she doesn't have the strength to walk on her own. Also a woman who has miscarried more than forty days after having immersed herself [in a mikveh] has the classification of a "woman at childbirth."⁵ 330: 3; Biur Halachah 617.

footnotes: ² Though her situation is critical, a woman in confinement is part of the normal pattern in life. Therefore, it is preferable, where possible, to do the melachos ³ Or delivery table. ⁴ Or waterflow. ⁵ Shulchan Aruch

During the entire first three days,⁶ even if she says that it is unnecessary, Shabbos may be violated for her.⁷] Afterwards, if she has no other illness, but only the [usual] pain that follows childbirth, the rule is as follows: then, up to seven days, if she says: "I require it," [Shabbos] may be violated for her sake,⁸] and if she says it is unnecessary then it is not violated.⁹ 330: 14] The days referred to are counted from the day of the birth and [they do] not [have to be three] twenty-four-hour periods. For example: if she gave birth Wednesday in the late afternoon, then on Shabbos it is considered more than three days [since the birth],¹⁰. See Mishnah Berurah (330: 10). and if she gave birth Shabbos in the late afternoon then, the following Shabbos, it is considered more than seven days. If there is the slightest possibility of danger, because the woman is weak by nature, [then] one who is lenient, and counts full 24-hour days, is not considered wrong.¹¹

footnotes: ⁶ After giving birth. ⁷ In order to attend her needs. [Mishnah Berurah ⁸ Regardless whether the doctors agree or disagree. [Mishnah Berurah ⁹ Unless the doctors say that she requires something. [Mishnah Berurah ¹⁰ I.e. from the end of the birth. Notwithstanding that less than seventy-two hours have passed. The author bases this ruling on the opinion of the Magein Avraham ¹¹ I.e. is not considered to have transgressed in any manner.

Once seven days have passed, even if she says: "I require [something]," [Shabbos] may not be violated for her, but she is considered a non-critical patient until thirty days, and all her needs may be done [only] by a non-Jew. However, even a Jew may heat the house for her if a non-Jew is not readily available, even in mid-summer,¹² because a woman in confinement is considered critical for the first thirty days, as regards being cold.

footnotes: ¹² If she says she feels cold.

The newly-born infant may be washed. His umbilical cord may be cut, his limbs straightened, and all his needs may be attended. However, if he cannot survive, for example: he was born in the eighth month,¹³. he may not be handled, but his mother may bend over him and nurse him because of her pain caused by her milk.

footnotes: ¹³ Today, an infant born in the eighth month is considered the same as other infants. Chazon Ish, Rabbi S. Z. Auerbach