Pregnant women and fasting during Ramadan

God Almighty has made fasting obligatory for every able Muslim, except in specific cases where breaking the fast is permitted, such as for pregnant and breastfeeding women, because fasting may cause harm to them.

This is a form of ease and mercy from Allah Almighty for His Muslim servants who are unable to fast the blessed month, which then requires either making up the missed days or paying fidyah in obedience to Allah’s commands. Therefore, in today’s article, we will learn together about the factors that affect a pregnant woman’s ability to fast during Ramadan, the healthy and suitable diet for pregnant women, and the opinions of scholars and doctors on this matter.

What is required of a woman who breaks her fast due to pregnancy or breastfeeding?

What is required of a woman who breaks her fast due to pregnancy or breastfeeding is:

• Making up (qada’) the days she missed after the blessed month of Ramadan.
• Paying fidyah, which is feeding one poor person for each day she did not fast during Ramadan.

It is worth noting that the pregnant woman must feed on her own behalf and on behalf of the breastfeeding child or fetus if she was required to break her fast for their sake.

For those who wish to combine both fidyah and making up the fasts, which is recommended, it is preferable to make up the fasts first and then pay the fidyah. It is not permissible to suffice with only one of them.

The amount of fidyah for a woman who breaks her fast due to pregnancy or breastfeeding

The amount of fidyah for a woman who breaks her fast due to pregnancy or breastfeeding is half a sa‘ (a traditional measure) of the staple food of the country, such as rice, dates, or wheat. It is preferable for the father or guardian to take responsibility for paying the fidyah.

The reality of fasting during pregnancy in Ramadan and its health effects

Fasting during Ramadan is possible for a pregnant woman if she enjoys good health, is under the supervision of a specialized doctor, and follows a specific dietary plan.

However, if the pregnant woman suffers from fatigue and exhaustion, fasting may be dangerous for her and her fetus. In this case, fasting must be stopped immediately if any symptoms appear, such as dizziness, uterine contractions, or decreased fetal movement, and medical consultation is required immediately.

Negative health effects of fasting during pregnancy in Ramadan

Below are the negative health effects of fasting during pregnancy in Ramadan that require stopping the fast:

• Headaches, fatigue, dehydration, and nausea for the pregnant woman.
• Decrease in the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus.
• Low birth weight and the possibility of anemia.
• Premature birth.
• Negative effects on fetal growth in certain cases.
• Increased cortisol hormone in colostrum, which may negatively affect the infant’s health later.

Positive effects of fasting during pregnancy in Ramadan

There are many positive effects of fasting during pregnancy in Ramadan if the woman enjoys good health that allows her to fast during the blessed month, including:

• Reducing stress and enhancing a sense of calm.
• Strengthening the pregnant woman’s immune system if she follows a healthy diet.
• Reducing the risk of gestational diabetes.
• Improving digestion.
• Detoxifying and cleansing the body.
• Better weight control.

Factors that affect a pregnant woman’s ability to fast during Ramadan

Fasting during Ramadan for a pregnant woman depends on several important factors, most notably:

• The general health of the pregnant woman and whether she has any chronic diseases such as hypertension or diabetes.
• A history of serious pregnancy complications.
• The stage of pregnancy, as the first months often cause exhaustion due to frequent vomiting.
• The number of fasting hours and whether fasting coincides with hot weather, which makes fasting more difficult.
• The size and general health of the fetus, whether it receives adequate nutrition, and the level of surrounding amniotic fluid.
• The pregnant woman’s diet and whether she drinks sufficient amounts of water at suhoor and iftar.

Important signs that require a pregnant woman to break her fast immediately during Ramadan

If the following signs appear in a pregnant woman, fasting must be stopped immediately and a doctor should be consulted:

• Severe fatigue accompanied by dizziness.
• Frequent nausea and vomiting.
• Change in urine color to dark, which is a sign of dehydration.
• Pain and uterine contractions.
• Reduced or absent fetal movement.

Important tips for pregnant women who wish to fast during Ramadan

There are several important tips for pregnant women who wish to fast during the blessed month of Ramadan:

• First, consult a doctor before starting to fast and undergo necessary tests, such as blood sugar and blood pressure checks, to ensure there are no medical reasons preventing fasting.
• Drink sufficient amounts of water and natural juices during suhoor and iftar.
• Avoid sweets and fried foods at iftar, and rely on leafy vegetables, meats, and legumes.
• Delay suhoor as much as possible until just before dawn, and include eggs, whole-grain bread, vegetables, and fruits.
• Get adequate sleep and avoid strenuous physical effort.
• Reduce household chores.
• Reduce consumption of stimulants to avoid headaches.

A healthy and suitable diet for pregnant women during fasting in Ramadan

During fasting in Ramadan, a pregnant woman should follow a balanced and healthy diet based on the following:

• Relying on small, balanced meals at suhoor and iftar.
• Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Avoiding sugary, salty, and spicy foods.
• Consuming meals that contain essential nutrients such as vegetables, carbohydrates, fruits, and proteins.
• Committing to eating suhoor to ensure the health of both mother and fetus.
• Consuming plenty of fluids, especially soups.
• Avoiding fried, high-fat meals as they increase weight and cause heartburn.

The positions of Islamic scholars and doctors regarding fasting during pregnancy in Ramadan

Islamic scholars and doctors agree on the permissibility of a pregnant woman breaking her fast if there is a risk to her health or the health of her fetus. In this case, she must make up the fasts and pay fidyah by feeding one poor person for each day missed.

The views of Islamic scholars regarding fasting during pregnancy in Ramadan

The majority of scholars confirm the permissibility for a pregnant woman to break her fast if there is fear for the fetus or the mother’s health, with the obligation to make up the fasts after Ramadan, without the requirement to pay fidyah.

Some companions, however, held the view that a pregnant woman has the choice between making up the fasts or feeding a poor person if she breaks her fast.

The views of doctors regarding fasting during pregnancy in Ramadan

Doctors emphasize the necessity for a pregnant woman who wishes to fast to consult her physician, undergo necessary examinations, and then make a decision regarding fasting.

Doctors also stress that there are certain signs that require stopping the fast immediately, such as weakness, dizziness, uterine contractions, or reduced fetal movement.

If no warning signs appear, the pregnant woman should adhere to a healthy diet, avoid exhaustion, and get sufficient rest during the daytime in Ramadan.

Fasting compensation (kaffarah) for pregnant women in money

The fasting compensation for a pregnant woman in money is feeding one poor person for each day she did not fast, equivalent to 750 grams of the staple food of the country.

It is permissible to give the fidyah in cash equivalent to the value of the food if this is in the best interest of the poor person. However, it is not permissible to give money instead of food except in cases of necessity. It should be noted that fidyah is accompanied by making up the fasts if breaking the fast was due to fear for the fetus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the fetus when the mother fasts during Ramadan?

There is no harm to the fetus when the mother fasts, as the fetus takes its nutrition from the mother’s nutritional reserves. Therefore, the mother must maintain a healthy diet and choose foods rich in essential nutrients.

When is fasting dangerous for the fetus?

Fasting becomes dangerous for the fetus if there are certain signs such as fatigue, weakness, frequent nausea, reduced fetal movement, or high blood pressure in the pregnant woman.

In which cases do pregnant and breastfeeding women break their fast in Ramadan?

Pregnant and breastfeeding women break their fast during Ramadan if there is fear for their own health or for the health of the infant or fetus as a result of fasting.

How does the fetus get nutrition in the womb while the mother is fasting?

The fetus receives nutrition in the womb during the mother’s fasting through the placenta, which transfers nutrients via the mother’s blood. This depends on the mother’s reserves of sugars and fats, and nutrition remains continuously available even while the mother is fasting.