I am jumping in on this as it caught my eye. The Orthodox Church in 17th century Russia used to ex-communicate for years child-bearing age women who would be seen in church on four consecutive Sundays, one of which would have to be during their menstrual cycle.
The Orthodox Church to this day stipulates that a woman is not to come to church untl 40 days after the childbirth, which is the reason why so many Orthodox baptize their children at that time.
Thanks, Kosta. I guess the rules IS the rules. :)