22. One may not help an animal to deliver its offspring on Shabbos (1). It is even forbidden to assist it by holding the baby animal so that it will not fall to the ground (2).

FOOTNOTES:

(1) That is, one may not pull the baby out of the mother, because it is considered to be over exerting oneself ("Tircha Yeseira") (Mishna Berura 332:1)

(2) If there is danger to the life of either the mother or its offspring, one may ask a Gentile to assist in the delivery. If there is no Gentile available, a Jew may aid in the delivery (See Chazon Ish 59:5 and the Pri Megadim 332:2).

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