Fasting: How to do it safely during pregnancy<\/p>\n
Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Being pregnant and fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan are
\nblessings for Muslim women, but they may find themselves confused
\nwhen the two come together at the same time.<\/p>\n
The question is whether they can fulfill their religious
\nobligation, because they fear that the fetus may suffer
\nnutritional deficiencies.<\/p>\n
According to an obstetrician with the Pantai Indah Kapuk
\nHospital in North Jakarta, Soemanadi, such concerns are
\ngroundless, and a pregnant woman can perform fasting if she
\nwishes as long as both she and the unborn baby are in good
\nhealth.<\/p>\n
\"Both the mother and unborn baby will not experience
\nnutritional deficiencies during Ramadhan if the mother consumes
\nbalanced meals, consisting of various food groups for the
\nadequate supply of protein, carbohydrates, fat as well as
\nvitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n
Balanced meals, he said, should be taken at sahur (predawn
\nmeal) and buka puasa (breaking the fast) and in between the two.<\/p>\n
Consultation with an obstetrician prior to fasting is also
\nadvised to ensure the expectant mother can go ahead with her
\nplan.<\/p>\n
\"I may provide the expectant mother with food supplements to
\nensure adequate nutritional intake. But if their daily diet
\nalready consists of balanced meals, even a supplement is not
\nnecessary.\"<\/p>\n
Soemanadi explained that fasting was only a shift of meal
\ntimes and pregnant women can still eat three or four meals a day
\nwithout having to worry about depriving the unborn baby of their
\nnutritional needs for healthy growth during the fasting hours.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the human body has nutritional deposits which can be
\nused whenever needed -- like when a person's diet does not meet
\nhis or her daily requirements -- providing a natural balancing
\nmechanism.<\/p>\n
\"This is why as long as it does not affect the mother and the
\nunborn baby's condition, fasting is OK,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, if the expectant mother feels very weak, develops
\nheadache or other pregnancy-related health problems, such as
\nhypertension, she would be advised to stop fasting immediately
\nand start taking light meals and drinks to restore energy.<\/p>\n
\"Even though they have made up their minds to fast, any
\nindications of health problems should not be taken lightly for
\nthe sake of her own and her unborn baby's health.\"<\/p>\n
He also advised against fasting for women in their first
\ntrimester who suffer from severe vomiting, bleeding or whose
\nunborn baby has growth problems.<\/p>\n
For those who do fast, the obstetrician stressed the need for
\na healthy diet that at least includes a glass of milk and a
\nvariety of fresh fruit. Ideally, two glasses of milk should be
\ntaken every day -- one during the predawn meal and the other
\nwhile breaking the fast.<\/p>\n
Women should also watch their diet, and limit items (or
\neliminate entirely if possible) items that are not recommended
\nduring pregnancy like coffee, tea, canned food, food containing
\npreservatives, high salt and sugar content as well as junk food.<\/p>\n
Instead, they are advised to select natural, fresh ingredients
\nor freshly cooked meals to prevent bacterial contamination, or
\nproperly washed raw food to ensure they are no longer
\ncontaminated by harmful chemicals like pesticide.<\/p>\n
And since the digestive organs are in \"resting\" mode while
\nfasting, Soemanadi said that fasting people -- not only pregnant
\nwomen -- should eat moderately and break their fast with light
\nmeals and liquid to restore energy, and then they can partake of
\na heavier, complete meal.<\/p>\n
He advised pregnant women to be open to their obstetrician
\nabout any conditions they experience during fasting. By doing
\nthis, the obstetrician can fully monitor their health and decide
\nwhether they should be allowed to continue fasting.<\/p>\n
Fasting is a religious duty that requires determination, but
\nit does not mean pregnant women need to force themselves to
\nperform it, especially when they are in no condition to do so.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, according to Islamic teaching, pregnant women are
\nnot obligated to fast and they can compensate it by performing it
\nlater, after giving birth, and by performing fidyah (feeding the
\npoor),\" said Soemanadi.<\/p>",
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