A woman in labor is considered a cholah sheyesh bah sakanah, a person whose medical condition is potentially life-threatening. Therefore, a woman who begins to experience signs of labor – even if they are not completely clear – may begin to drink and eat in shiurim (small, measured quantities). Once it becomes clearer that she is in labor, she is halachically permitted to eat and drink normally to prevent thirst and keep up her strength.

We encourage a woman approaching term to clarify these guidelines further with her health care provider and to follow up with a halachic authority.

You can find further details on this topic, and on eating in shiurim, in our article Pregnancy and Yom Kippur.