With the arrival of Ramadan pregnant women are faced with the dilemma of deciding whether to fast or not. There is a very real fear that by doing so they might affect the health of their babies. It should be emphasized that Islam does allow pregnant women the flexibility to abstain from fasting if they fear for their babies or if fasting becomes difficult and leaves them physically ill and lethargic. For Muslims such as Ayesha Omar, the tradition of fasting during the Holy month of Ramadan is a treasured opportunity to gain spiritual self purification and proximity to Allah. But when Ayesha fasted for the first few days during her pregnancy and found that it left her lethargic and weak, she consulted her gynecologist who recommended she give it up. “It was disappointing because observing the fast is the highlight of Ramadan. Since I have never missed fasting, it was a tad perplexing to come to terms with the situation,” Ayesha said. “But, at the end of the day, heeding the doctor's advice proved to be the best thing for me.” However, for 40-year-old Maryam Saeed it was a different story. Maryam, a mother of four children, fasted regularly throughout her pregnancies. “I would observe fasting for 2 or 3 days and if I felt weak or lethargic, I would skip fasting for a few days until I felt strong again. When I was pregnant with my last child, I fasted all 30 days without any complications. All of my four children were born healthy and sound,” Maryam said joyfully. Dr. Nawal As-Sinami, a gynecology consultant and Assistant Professor at King Abdul Aziz Hospital, said: “A pregnant woman has to decide to fast in accordance with the circumstances she finds herself in. If a woman feels that fasting will adversely affect her baby, or if she suffers from anemia or some other health problem such as diabetes, that will make fasting difficult for her, she is exempted from fasting by the Qur'an. On the other hand, a healthy woman can fast without any fear.” It is best for pregnant women to plan beforehand to make sure things run smoothly for them during Ramadan. They should talk to their doctors, who can review their physical health and any possible complications, such as gestational diabetes or anemia. A nurse or nutritionist can help them work out their dietary needs. They can start preparing early by doing shopping and errands before the fast. It is the general consensus that if pregnant women do plan to fast, they need to take extra care and precautions. The most likely reason for feeling unwell while fasting is dehydration. They should make sure to eat well and drink a lot of fluids before sunrise. Protein and fats will keep them energized longer than carbohydrates will. It is best to keep cool while fasting. Getting overheated will dehydrate them more quickly. They should break their fast gradually, by eating one small meal slowly, instead of the one big meal at once. They should try to eat animal proteins that are easy to digest, such as red meat, chicken, fish and eggs while cutting back on carbohydrates and fatty foods. It may also be best to avoid certain foods like pickles, spices, coffee, tea, carbonated water, and sweets that abound in Ramadan feasts. Since, there is a strong need to conserve their energy, avoiding activities which will leave them physically exhausted, and minimizing the housework while fasting, will help. Pregnant women should also keep in mind when to call their doctors. If they experience dizziness, weakness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, which does not subside on resting, it is best to call their doctors. Moreover if there is a noticeable change in the baby's movement and if they feel that the baby is not moving around or kicking as much, it is time to check in with the doctor. Pregnant women should not ignore the special permission given to them by Allah, the Most Merciful, if they feel that fasting could harm them or their baby. Before choosing to fast, it is best to talk to their families, their doctors and an Islamic sheikh to help consider their options. Only they can be the best judge of how healthy they feel, and their bodies are good barometers of their baby's development. Therefore the decision to fast lies solely with them. They should weigh the pros and cons carefully to make this decision right for them and their babies.
