Having a Baby
During your pregnancy, it is important to continue receiving the Holy Sacraments to nurture not only yourself but also your unborn baby. As you approach the blessed day, keep your priest informed. At the birth of your newborn, the priest should be contacted so that he may come and read the prayer for your child.
The law of the Old Testament carries over into Christianity; therefore, the mother and newborn should remain at home, healing and bonding, for forty days after the birth. During this period, they should refrain from attending church services or parish events.
After the forty days, confer with your priest and arrange for the Forty-Day Blessing for both mother and child. If the mother is Orthodox, she should also prepare to receive Holy Communion at this time.
