A pregnant women fasting during Ramadan may endanger the health of her unborn child. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, but pregnant women are forbidden from fasting if it endangers their health, but some Muslim women are healthy who still fast despite the differences.
If you are pregnant, you should consult your doctor about whether it is safe to fast. In high-risk pregnancies, fasting is generally not recommended.
Who can skip fasting in Ramadan?
During Ramadan, fasting from dawn until sunset is a significant practice for Muslims around the world. However, Islam provides specific exemptions to ensure that fasting does not harm an individual’s health. Pregnant women fall into this category of exemptions due to the potential risk fasting might pose to both their health and the health of their unborn child.
Some doctors advise you not to fast during the early stages of pregnancy because most of the changes and growth happen during the first month. Some pregnant women also suffer from nausea and morning sickness. which can cause dehydration and lack of essential nutrients and do not allow for fasting.
If your doctor allows you to fast, keep some steps in mind
This year, Ramadan is coming at a time that requires you to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, between sunset and sunrise to stay well hydrated.
- Eat Healthy Foods, choose foods that provide quick energy, such as carbohydrates, including whole grains, seeds, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.
- Eat high fibre foods like pulses, vegetables and dry fruits which will help you avoid constipation.
- Legumes, nuts and well-cooked meat and eggs will provide enough protein
- Avoid foods high in sugar because they make you thirsty
- Avoid high salt foods as they make you hungry
- Try to rest especially during the hottest parts of the day
- Try to avoid exercise and any strenuous work during fasting hours
- If you experience severe nausea, vomiting, fainting or dizziness, consult your doctor immediately.
- See your doctor if your baby is moving less or you are experiencing contractions like pain or bad contractions.
Do pregnant woman have to fast during Ramadan?
During the month of Ramadan, healthy adults abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset. Instead, you want to fast with your family, but you should not take this step without consulting a doctor.
Therefore, pregnant, and lactating women can abstain from fasting in Ramadan after the pregnancy ends and if the mother is not breastfeeding her child, she can make up for many of the missed fasts. A pregnant woman who is healthy and able to fast during Ramadan should do so only after consulting an experienced gynaecologist.
Complications For the Pregnant Woman
Pregnancy is a time that is often hard on mothers and is associated with many health problems that can include pregnancy complications.
- Nausea and vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Gestational diabetes
- UTI
- Anaemia
If a woman is suffering from any of these complications, she should avoid fasting at all costs as it can worsen her condition, besides the mother should be extra careful about her diet and nutrition during the third month. This is the time when the baby is gaining weight so it is advisable for the mother to take in enough calories and stay hydrated.
If you are a pregnant woman and feel that fasting will be harmful for you and your baby, then it is okay to abstain from fasting. While fasting, you should maintain a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest. If you begin to feel unwell between fasts, you should consult a healthcare professional immediately.
Conclusion
Islamic teachings prioritize health and well-being, allowing pregnant women to be exempt from fasting during Ramadan. They are encouraged to make up the missed fasts at a later time when they are no longer pregnant and it is safe for them to do so. Alternatively, if making up the fasts is not feasible, they can fulfill the requirement by providing a meal to a needy person for each day of fasting missed.
This flexibility underscores the importance of compassion and practicality in the observance of religious duties within Islam. Pregnant women should consult with a medical professional and a knowledgeable religious advisor to make an informed decision that best suits their health and religious obligations.
