Lauren

Assalaamu Alaikum,

With Ramadan right around the corner inshaaAllah, I'm hoping you can shed light on the issue of fasting for women who are pregnant.

I've heard two different opinions from people of knowledge: 1) That a pregnant woman has to fast unless she's really sick or something (basically the same as the ruling with a non-pregnant male or female who was sick to the point where they weren't able to fast) and 2) That a pregnant woman should not fast b/c it could be inherently harmful to herself or the baby and she has to make up the days later on.

Please explain this issue, as I know a lot of sisters who are confused about this issue and have misinformation.

Jazakallah khair

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Rabiah - la Voyageure ©

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إذا أردت أن تعرف مقامك عند الله... فانظر فيماأقامك

Umsalih

This is my advice from experience...
all of my pregnancies(this one is number 4) I have fasted to the best of my ability...and Alhamdulillah with the exception of a few days I completed all the fasts. I chose to fast even though I do have alot of nauseau and vomiting during pregnancy because I thought I can always try and if I am unable to I will make up later.
Also since I breastfeed, the alternative of making up the days later is way more detrimental to my baby because I endanger its milk supply by fasting later. Anyone who exclusively breastfeeds knows the importance of drinking and eating throughout the day and that is impossible while fasting. But the body has a way of compensating for the baby while you are still pregnant. Only in the rarest of cases is it going to be a risk to the child to fast while pregnant.
On the other hand if you are in your first trimester while its Ramadan and you suffer from severe morning sickness(Alhamdulillah I am in my third trimester now or this would be an issue for me) fasting may not be an option.
Everyone should look at their personal situation and judge whether or not they would be able to fast and/or if they are planning to breastfeed and how they would be able to makeup fasts later if they chose to not fast.

Hope this helps,
Umsalih

Rahma

Bismillahi,

I remember in Rizq Management the Shayk spoke about this and as I recall as long as the child and the mother are not in any danger than it was alright. A person who is fasting even if they're not pregnant will feel discomfort. Subhanallah my sister-in law was actually fasting today and Alhamduililah she felt ok. I pray for those mothers who are pregnant that Allah bless you and make it easier for.

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Umm Umaarah

As salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah UmSalih,

I hope you don't mind my asking, but what trimester were you in when you fasted?

JazakAllah khayr for sharing your experience : )

Umsalih

Salam,

No problem, I thought that sharing my experience might help reassure other sisters going through it.

On my first son I was in my first trimester, but it was still like the early weeks before my full blown-knockyoudown-vomiting began. On my second son, I was in my late Second trimester. And my third son I was probably at the start of my second trimester.

This one I will be in my third trimester and it will be a new experience for me, but Insh'Allah if the weather doesn't get too hot (this usually agitates my urge to throwup and be nauseaus), I should be fine fasting and I intend to try and fast all the days Insh'Allah if I don't see any serious effect to me or the baby brought about by doing
so.

Salam,
UmSalih

UmmSakinah

Sis Lauren, I fasted throughout my pregnancies too.

My first, I was in the end of my first trimester going into the second. It was even more trying because it was the year i came to the United States, husband was in Seattle, I was in Iowa, the blizzard was terrible that year, I lost weight, had anemia, was a junior at ISU, but I think I managed to fast throughout with no harm to the baby. alhamdulillah.

My second, i fasted all but one day because I threw up and was actually sick. I was in my first trimester. Big baby. Biggest so far.

Third baby, i was in my third trimester (easier to fast through the month) though the second would be the most heavenly trimester to be honest.

So it's up to you and your body. I wasn't breastfeeding at the time so I didn't have that concern. I took my prenatal vit during suhur or after I broke my fast and ate really good when I could. But if you feel like you can't take it, you have that concession.

Allaahu aalim
May Allah make it easy for you and all the pregnant mothers. Ameen.

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Surah Al Ghaashiyah 17-20
Do they not look at the camels, how they are created?
And at the heaven, how it is raised?
And at the mountains, how they are rooted and fixed firm?
And at the earth, how it is spread out?

From desert region...

fevzy

I know guys who get sick (e.g., throwing up, moody) when their wife is pregnant .... at times, a lot worse than the wife's sickness.

Fouzia Usman/Quest

Doctors usually advice not to fast during pregnancy. They quote two valid points:
1.Frequent intake of water
2.Risk of Urinary infection

Thats true. But if the mother can manage/avoid these risks, then she can fast.

I fasted the whole month of ramadhaan during my first pregnancy when I was in my 2nd trimester. Then for my second pregnancy I was in my last trimester, and I fasted till 27th of ramadhaan as my daughter was born on 27th of ramadhaan.

I would take extra time to eat during suhur so I can eat more with some gap in between. I would also drink lots of liquids like milk, juice, and water.

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