Fasting during pregnancy is a subject that confuses many pregnant women during Ramadan. Is it possible to fast during pregnancy? How does fasting affect the baby? What should be considered if fasting during pregnancy? And many questions for example… Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Op. Dr. Meral Sönmezer answered all the questions about fasting during pregnancy.
”One-way feeding should be avoided”
”Nutrition during pregnancy is quite valuable for the development of the baby in the mother’s womb. One-way diet should be avoided, protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals should be taken in appropriate proportions. A stable and healthy diet is also valuable in our ordinary life. However, the need for all these nutrients increases even more during pregnancy. Vegetables and fruits, which are quite rich in terms of vitamins, should be consumed on a daily basis. In addition, water consumption during the pregnancy period is also very valuable. ”
“Long-term hunger during pregnancy affects our body significantly. When insufficient calories are taken, blood sugar drops and the person feels sluggish and tired. If this situation lasts for a long time, short periodic fainting can be seen. With the decrease in blood sugar level, the destruction of fat cells begins. This causes an increase in ketones in the body. The long-term persistence of ketones in the body, especially in pregnant women, may affect the baby’s brain development. In cases of malnutrition, the mother’s blood volume also decreases. As a result, the blood flow to the baby also decreases. If this takes a long time, it can cause developmental delay in the baby.”
“Decrease in amniotic fluid poses a risk for preterm delivery.”
“The period of fasting in Ramadan is around 16-17 hours from sahur to iftar. In addition to being hungry for such a long time, being dehydrated can also negatively affect pregnant women. When we think that 4/3 of our body is water, staying thirsty for 17 hours affects us greatly. When the expectant mother does not drink enough water, there is a decrease in body water. This can cause low blood pressure and palpitations as it reduces blood volume. The low water consumption of the expectant mother can also cause a decrease in the fluid that we call the amniotic fluid, which allows the baby to move comfortably in the mother’s womb. Decreased amniotic fluid poses a risk in terms of preterm delivery. Another effect of decreasing water intake is that with an increase in urine density, the probability of urinary tract infection increases. Long-term urinary tract infections can also cause premature birth.
The gestational week of our pregnant women who want to fast, whether their pregnancy is risky or not, the general health of the expectant mother and the general health of the baby are quite valuable. Before starting the fast, they should definitely talk to the doctor who followed their pregnancies and follow his suggestions.”
Saying that Islam is a religion of convenience, Op. Dr. Meral Sönmezer “There is no compulsion in our religion. There are many hadiths and verses about fasting during pregnancy. It is known that fasting prayers can be postponed, especially for pregnant and lactating women, and then fasting can be performed instead. For this reason, if there is a situation that you think will put yourself and your baby at risk, I strongly recommend that you consult your doctor about fasting. Let’s not forget that your baby’s health largely depends on your health. She said that pregnant women should be careful about fasting.
“ The sanctity of fasting is indisputable. Pregnant women who want to fast after talking to their doctor should evaluate the time very well, especially in the middle of sahur and iftar. It is very valuable for them to replace all the nutrients they need for a day in this period. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods while breaking the fast. They should meet their daily protein needs by taking different varieties of milk and dairy products, eggs, meat, chicken, fish and dried legumes every day. Seasonal fruits or milk desserts should be consumed at least 1 hour after the meal to meet the sweet cravings. It is absolutely necessary to consume 2 liters of water that the body needs for a day, during the period between sahur and iftar.”
”Like all my colleagues, I have endless respect for the beliefs of my expectant mothers. However, as a requirement of medicine, our priority should always be the health of the mother and baby. Our religion has also provided us with convenience in this matter. After evaluating the health status of the mother and baby, it may be appropriate for pregnant women in the appropriate week to fast. During this period, the condition of the baby and the mother should be followed closely, and if there is a risky situation, the fast should be given moderately. As a result, you and your doctor should decide what is best for you and your baby. I wish healthy and pleasant births to all our expectant mothers.”
