Fasting: How to do it safely during pregnancy

Fasting: How to do it safely during pregnancy

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Being pregnant and fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan are
blessings for Muslim women, but they may find themselves confused
when the two come together at the same time.

The question is whether they can fulfill their religious
obligation, because they fear that the fetus may suffer
nutritional deficiencies.

According to an obstetrician with the Pantai Indah Kapuk
Hospital in North Jakarta, Soemanadi, such concerns are
groundless, and a pregnant woman can perform fasting if she
wishes as long as both she and the unborn baby are in good
health.

"Both the mother and unborn baby will not experience
nutritional deficiencies during Ramadhan if the mother consumes
balanced meals, consisting of various food groups for the
adequate supply of protein, carbohydrates, fat as well as
vitamins and minerals.

Balanced meals, he said, should be taken at sahur (predawn
meal) and buka puasa (breaking the fast) and in between the two.

Consultation with an obstetrician prior to fasting is also
advised to ensure the expectant mother can go ahead with her
plan.

"I may provide the expectant mother with food supplements to
ensure adequate nutritional intake. But if their daily diet
already consists of balanced meals, even a supplement is not
necessary."

Soemanadi explained that fasting was only a shift of meal
times and pregnant women can still eat three or four meals a day
without having to worry about depriving the unborn baby of their
nutritional needs for healthy growth during the fasting hours.

Moreover, the human body has nutritional deposits which can be
used whenever needed -- like when a person's diet does not meet
his or her daily requirements -- providing a natural balancing
mechanism.

"This is why as long as it does not affect the mother and the
unborn baby's condition, fasting is OK," he said.

However, if the expectant mother feels very weak, develops
headache or other pregnancy-related health problems, such as
hypertension, she would be advised to stop fasting immediately
and start taking light meals and drinks to restore energy.

"Even though they have made up their minds to fast, any
indications of health problems should not be taken lightly for
the sake of her own and her unborn baby's health."

He also advised against fasting for women in their first
trimester who suffer from severe vomiting, bleeding or whose
unborn baby has growth problems.

For those who do fast, the obstetrician stressed the need for
a healthy diet that at least includes a glass of milk and a
variety of fresh fruit. Ideally, two glasses of milk should be
taken every day -- one during the predawn meal and the other
while breaking the fast.

Women should also watch their diet, and limit items (or
eliminate entirely if possible) items that are not recommended
during pregnancy like coffee, tea, canned food, food containing
preservatives, high salt and sugar content as well as junk food.

Instead, they are advised to select natural, fresh ingredients
or freshly cooked meals to prevent bacterial contamination, or
properly washed raw food to ensure they are no longer
contaminated by harmful chemicals like pesticide.

And since the digestive organs are in "resting" mode while
fasting, Soemanadi said that fasting people -- not only pregnant
women -- should eat moderately and break their fast with light
meals and liquid to restore energy, and then they can partake of
a heavier, complete meal.

He advised pregnant women to be open to their obstetrician
about any conditions they experience during fasting. By doing
this, the obstetrician can fully monitor their health and decide
whether they should be allowed to continue fasting.

Fasting is a religious duty that requires determination, but
it does not mean pregnant women need to force themselves to
perform it, especially when they are in no condition to do so.

"Besides, according to Islamic teaching, pregnant women are
not obligated to fast and they can compensate it by performing it
later, after giving birth, and by performing fidyah (feeding the
poor)," said Soemanadi.