Can the anointing of the sick be given to an unborn child?

[Feanor]

My wife is pregnant and I have a genetic eye condition that has a 50% chance of being passed to my child. Needless to say I would prefer this not to happen. So can a priest give the anointing of the sick to my wife or to the child growing inside of her for healing or to ensure good health? Is this even appropriate? How would such a thing happen?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Perhaps you misunderstand this sacrament. It is not a “good luck charm” to ensure a healthy child. It is given to those in danger of death for spiritual healing primarily, although it can possibly also grant physical healing. Also, all of the sacraments, including the anointing of the sick, must be received personally by those capable of receiving them personally and not by proxy.

Your wife may receive the anointing of the sick for herself before the birth of the child, particularly if a C-section is planned, but that is for her to prepare her for childbirth. The child cannot receive this sacrament until after he has first been baptized and, only then, once he is old enough to have sinned.