It is permissible to perform the Aqiqah for a male child with a female animal and for a female child with a male animal. It has also been narrated that two female animals may be sacrificed for a male child and one for a female child. Whatever is practiced in this regard is acceptable. The parents should not eat from the Aqiqah meat, although it is not forbidden for them. If the mother eats from it, it is said that she may not nurse the child. The midwife (qabilah) should be given a leg portion, specifically the thigh. However, if the midwife is the man's mother or lives within his household, she is not entitled to anything unless he chooses to give her. The meat may be divided as it is, limb by limb, or it may be cooked and distributed with bread and broth. It should only be given to those who are followers of the Ahlulbayt (ahl al-wilayah).