Fasting whilst pregnant depends on health

Whether or not a pregnant woman can fast during the holy month of Ramadan depends on her overall health, Egyptian Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Ahmed Khairi told Arab today. “When a pregnant woman asks me whether she can fast during Ramadan or not, I first check her overall health condition to make sure she doesn’t suffer from high blood pressure, general weakness or anaemia,” Khairi said; highlighting that fasting during pregnancy also depends on the woman eating healthy. “If a pregnant woman decides to fast during Ramadan, there are some conditions that should be adhered to such as healthy eating” he said, explaining that it means making sure the body gets what it needs of proteins, sugars and carbohydrates. Khairi listed healthy food for pregnant women as fresh vegetables and fruits, proteins and easy to digest meat, whilst he recommended a  pregnant fasting woman to stay away from all full fat and salty foods as well as caffeine, soda and all kinds of Ramadan sweets. He also recommended breaking the fast with dates and then to begin eating gradually, as this would best for the stomach. Khairi stressed the need to drink at least 2 litres of water in the non-fasting period particularly during the hot summer days. A pregnant woman should not strain herself during fasting hours and should not be working during the hot days whilst fasting in order to avoid hypotension, Khairi continued. He stressed that his recommendations were solely for pregnant woman whose health allows them to fast, but pregnant woman with health problems such as those who suffer from diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure should not be fasting. He added that if a woman is pregnant with twins, she should not be fasting even if she is in good health. Whenever a pregnant woman feels dizzy or does not feel the baby moving, she must break her fast immediately, Khairi concluded.