Birth Archives - AskTheRav

I am pregnant and have had to do an ultrasound as per Dr request. In such cases, should I ask the technician specifically not to tell me the baby’s gender? In other words is there a Makor for not finding out before birth?

One should avoid discovering the gender of the fetus. Sources: ראה ב״ר סה, יב: שבעה דברים מכוסים מבני אדם וכו׳ ואין אדם יודע מה בעבורה של אשה. וכ״ה…

Can one bring a Shir Hamolas card into the labor room to be visible during labor (for the woman to feel safer)? Can it be see through? Would these issues apply to a picture of a Tzadik?

It must be covered with two covers, one of then not visible. This does not apply according to Halacha to a picture of a Tzadik. Nonetheless, Chassidim have a…

At what point can one consider a woman a Yoledes and can start calling a taxi and do Melachos with a Shinui?

See here and here.

לאחד מהמקורבים שלנו נולדו בן ובת תאומים, הם רוצים לקיים מנהג ישראל לעשות סעודת הודאה/קידוש לכבוד הבת, האם יכולים לצאת ידי חובה בסעודת הברית בתור סעודת הודאה על הבת או צריכים אירוע נפרד?

יש לעשות קידוש או סעודה בנפרד, או לפחות כשאי אפשר או כשיש צורך - לייחד משהו מיוחד (תבשיל מיוחד, אורח מיוחד וכו׳) בסעודת הברית עבור - ולזכות - הבת. …

Is it Minhag Chabad to say Shecheyanu when a father first holds his baby daughter?

He should say Shecheyanu when he sees her for the first time. Sources: סדר ברה״נ יב, יב. יש הטוענים שמנהג חסידים לא לברך. וכמדומה גם הגרמ״ש ע״ה אשכנזי מסר…

What is the Minhag/Halacha for Anash regarding making a Brocha on the birth of a child? The mother saying Hagomel upon giving birth?

The Brocha for a boy - Hatov V'hameytiv immediately upon hearing the news. For a girl - Shecheyanu when seeing the baby. The mother should wait till she could…

I have seen about the Chiyuv Aliya a husband has when the wife goes to Shul the first time after birth, and after 40 days from birth etc. What do we do in practice? My wife had a baby few days ago and went to Shul for Mincha today already. When do I need Aliyos, besides the Shabbos before and day of the Bris?

These Minhagim should be kept. If she already went to Shul, then you should have an Aliya the next opportunity, which will anyhow be the Shabbos before the Bris. Since…

It is brought in Tzava’as Rebbi Yehuda Hachassid that a mother should start nursing on the left side. Is this the practice L’poel too?

Yes, where possible. Sources: יוסיפון יא. צוואת ריה״ח נה. שיירי כנה״ג יו״ד קעט, בהגה״ט ל. שבעים תמרים סט. כה״ח או״ח של, נז. שם יו״ד קטז, קמט. שו״ת בא״מ ח,…

Are we allowed to buy children’s books/Seforim before our baby is born? Not specifically for this child, but more like for any children that we will have in the future with Hashem’s help.

In this case, where it is for a Mitzvah, it is certainly OK. See here for more on this topic. להעיר מהוידיאו - לינק למטה - שכ"ק אדמו"ר אומר…

If a girl is born after Shkiah but before Tzeis, when is considered her birth date?

Both days L'chumra. However, you should ascertain the exact time of birth so that there be no doubts. When most of the head emerges, is the time of birth according…