Conduct During Childbirth

End of Sefer Raziel HaMalach, and elsewhere. See Tishbi on the letter lamed, entry for “Lilith.” Plaques featuring the verses of Shir Lamaalot along with the Names [of G‑d and angels] etc. contained therein are well known throughout the Jewish world, each community having its own specific customs.

From the Sichah of 19 Kislev 5747 regarding things one should be careful about for the safety of the woman giving birth, including at the hospital (edited version printed in Hisvaadiyot 5747, Vol. 2, p. 37. Teshuvot U’Biurim BeShulchan Aruch, p. 446): “It is fitting and proper to publicize everywhere that Jewish people live, the custom of hanging Shir Lamaalot.” See also the Sichah of Yom Simchat Torah 5737 (printed in MiGevaot Ashurenu, p. 96). See also Likkutei Sichot, Vol. 25, p. 309, where the Rebbe points out that “One should try to obtain permission from the hospital administration by explaining this properly, with words that proceed from the heart, which enter the heart and will certainly accomplish their task (and we point out that thank G‑d this custom is constantly spreading throughout the Jewish world).”

And obviously this will forestall any complications such as “…she had difficulty giving birth” (Vayishlach 35:16).

For even after the birth (during the first three days) she is considered to be a patient whose life is in danger, and we may violate the Shabbos laws for her (Shabbos 129a; Rambam, Hilchot Shabbat 2:13; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, and also the Alter Rebbe’s edition 330:4).

Sichot Kodesh 5737, Sichah 7 of Yom Simchat Torah; also printed in MiGevaot Ashurenu, p. 6, with the addition: “It is true that the child was just born, and cannot yet distinguish between light and dark or between sweet and bitter. Nevertheless, since he has already come into the world and he possesses eyes with which to see the world, we should see to it that before his eyes should be the letters of the aleph-beit, from whose combinations all of creation has come into being.” See details in Likkutei Sichot, Vol. 25, p. 309.

Beginning of Sefer Toldos Admur Maharash (compiled by the Rebbe).

Teshuvos U’Biurim BeShulchan Aruch, p. 445. See also the Sichah of 19 Kislev 5747, with the addition that since this is in violation of the Shulchan Aruch, it cannot be construed as a good thing. See the psak din of the Beis Din of Crown Heights of 4 Teves 5747, issued pursuant to the above Sichah: “It is obvious and clear that the husband should not be present in the delivery room (see Niddah 17a ‘amar Abbaye …’; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim Ch. 64; Yoreh De’ah 195:7).”