DOHA: Pregnant or breastfeeding women who don’t feel well enough to fast during Ramadan, or are worried about their health or their baby’s well-being, are advised to talk to their physician and get a general check-up before deciding to fast.
Many Muslims believe that pregnant or breastfeeding women should not fast because Islam exempts them, small children and ill people from fasting.
Dr Faten Al Taher, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Women’s Hospital, said pregnant women willing to fast should seek doctor’s advice throughout the month to ensure fasting is not affecting their baby. “It is important for pregnant women to follow up with their doctors before they decide to fast. While they fast, they should ensure to take rest frequently throughout the day and ensure that they get right nutrients and calories when they break fast.
“They should also ensure to consume up to three litres of water at Suhoor and Iftar,” Dr Al Taher said, adding pregnant women should avoid sweets and sugary snacks usually consumed after Iftar.
However, she said there are concerns that fasting may affect how well a baby grows in the uterus (womb), or that fasting may be linked to premature labour. “Some studies suggest that more babies are born early if their mothers fast during Ramadan. If Ramadan coincides with summer, this means hot weather and long days, which puts pregnant women at greater risk of dehydration due to low fluid intake and this could induce premature labour and lead to preterm births.”
She said it is not medically advisable for women with pregnancy complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure or anaemia to fast. “Pregnant women with these conditions should avoid fasting to protect themselves and their unborn babies from any further unwanted complications.”
She said other implications of fasting for healthy pregnant women could include nausea, low birth weight, dizziness and slow metabolism.
Dr Amal Abu Bakr Arbab, Lead Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Programme at the hospital said because it is recommended that women whose babies are aged 0-6 months breastfeed them (feeding babies with breast milk without supplementing with water and other food), they may not be able to fast. “Mothers of older babies taking supplementary food in addition to mother’s milk can fast, as scientific literature proved that fasting for 24 hours or less will show very little changes in the amount of breast milk produced and in its composition.
“If women are breastfeeding their babies, they are not expected to fast. Most Muslim scholars believe that women who are breastfeeding have permission not to fast. Such mothers who wish to fast need to assess their general medical condition by consulting a physician and reporting medications they might be using to boost breast milk supply before making a decision to fast.
“This will help avoid any complications that could harm them and their babies while breastfeeding between Iftar and Suhoor,” Dr Arbab said.
She said fasting may cause fatigue, dehydration especially during hot weather and long fasting day which will impact a woman’s ability to breastfeed effectively.
The Peninsula
