Pregnancy: Knowing Gender, Listening to Fetus, Epidurals

Walaikum assalam,

1. In itself, this would be allowed.

2. It would be discouraged in places where people dislike having girls, as this is something Allah Most High condemned in the Qur'an itself.

3. It would be impermissible if it was a means to the unlawful, such as abortion of female fetuses, as is outrageously common in certain areas.

2) Are we allowed to listen to his/her heartbeat regularly, record it if we so wished, and play Qur'an recitation to the unborn child? (Headphones around the woman's belly).

There is nothing to prohibit this. Even better is to devote oneself to Allah through worship, remembrance, good deeds, and a heart directed to Allah in love and contentment.

3) Are women allowed to have an epidural to ease the pain during labour?

[An epidural is 'Regional anesthesia resulting from injection of an anesthetic into the epidural space of the spinal cord; sensation is lost in the abdominal and genital and pelvic areas; used in childbirth and gynecological surgery' - Word Web]

Yes, the scholars tell us that this is permitted.

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.