dsc@mtgzz.UUCP (d.s.chechik) (10/30/85)
Another source on the question of husbands in labor rooms can be found in Igros Moshe, Yora Deya 2, T'shuva 75. (Rsponsa of Rabbi M. Feinstein). He writes (i translate exactly, my comments in parentheses, words i have not tranlated in ALL CAPS) "As to whether the husband can be there (in the labor room) to supervise that everything is done correctly and to support and strengthen her heart. If there is a need, i see no prohibition, and even without a need, i see no prohibition. However, it is forbidden for him to look at the actual delivery of the child because it is forbidden for him to look at her covered places when she is a NEEDA and (to look at) that place, it is forbidden even in her TAHARA (non needa state). Only that if he is carefull not to look, there is no prohibition. And via a mirror, it is also forbidden for the husband to look." (end quote) Before my daughter's birth i asked many people about their delivery room experiences. I found that people who had attended "frum" lamaz classes (classes where only permitted activities were taught) were well prepared for the experience and, although it wasn't easy to keep all the halachos, since they were psychologically prepared and never learned to lend support to their wives in a way forbidden during delivery, had a relatively easy time keeping the halachos. However, thoses who attended regular lamaz classes learned and practiced things in a way that they could not use during delivery. At least one person i spoke to admitted that under the pressure of the delivery room, he did violate Hilchos Needa. It seems that if someone is carefull, there is no prohibition against being in the delivery room. But, because people interested in keeping to halacha have had problems in labor rooms, our leaders have said it is better not to put one's self in a trying situation.