Pregnant Muslim women may be religiously exempt from fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan, especially if there is concern for undue hardship or harm to maternal or fetal health. However, several studies demonstrate that most women still choose to fast during pregnancy and avoid discussing fasting with their providers. It is permissible for a pregnant woman not to fast if she fears some harm which she thinks will most likely affect her and/or her baby. Praise be to Allah. This question covers three topics: 1-The ruling on a pregnant woman breaking her fast in Ramadan. 2-How a miscarriage in Ramadan affects a woman’s fast. Fasting during Ramadan has been mainly associated with signs and symptoms of maternal fatigue and dehydration, with a minimal decrease in weight gain. There is conflicting data regarding the association with gestational diabetes mellitus and insufficient data on maternal hypertension. To that end, this commentary seeks to (1) summarize the data on the effects of fasting during Ramadan in pregnancy and (2) provide obstetricians (and other perinatal care providers) a framework for counseling and making recommendations to Muslim pregnant patients considering fasting (Box 1). Is it better Islamically for a pregnant Muslim woman to fast or not fast in the month of Ramadan?. A pregnant Muslim woman is obliged to fast unless she fears for herself or for her baby, in which case it is permissible for her not to fast. For more, please see the detailed answer. Is a pregnant woman obliged to fast? Praise be to Allah. Break the fast in moderation. The daily fast’s duration can vary by location depending on the hours of daylight. Experts say to take it easy and listen to the body while fasting. Elfakhani tries to slow down during the day in between teaching stints and catches up on work after the evening iftar meal. Although pregnant women are exempt from this Islamic law, the majority nevertheless choose to fast. This review aims to identify the effects of Ramadan fasting on the offspring of Muslim mothers, particularly on fetal growth, birth indices, cognitive effects and long-term effects. Results show that strict adherence to fasting in Ramadan during the first trimester was associated with a 270g lower birthweight. However, if Ramadan was in the second or third trimesters, fasting did not affect birthweights. The Islamic rulings for exemption from fasting during the month of Ramadan for menstruating, breast feeding and pregnant women are very clear. Yet, a number of women continue to observe fasting during the holy month. Fasting for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: Islamic Rulings and Guidance . Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a deeply spiritual act of worship that brings Muslims closer to Allah (SWT). However, while fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims, Islam provides exceptions for certain Although exempt, many pregnant Muslim women partake in the daily fast during daylight hours during the month of Ramadan. In other contexts an impoverished diet during pregnancy impacts on birth weight. The aim of this systematic review was to The impact of fasting during pregnancy may depend on the overall health of the mother, the stage of pregnancy and the time of year Ramadan occurs. More research is needed to fully understand what impact fasting may have on the health and development of the baby and what that may mean for the child’s health in later life. Background Ramadan during pregnancy is associated with adverse offspring health outcomes. Recent evidence from Europe indicates that maternal diet during non-fasting hours might alleviate these effects. This study describes fasting, diet, and sleep habits among pregnant Muslims in Kaduna, Nigeria, and assesses impacts on neonatal health in this setting. Methods Between July 2023 and February Is it OK to fast Ramadan while pregnant? Yes, it may be ok to fast during Ramadan while pregnant. Fasting during Ramadan while pregnant is a personal decision that requires careful consideration. Research suggests potential risks, including preterm delivery and low birth weight, which can impact the child’s long-term health. Also, I have tried fasting the first day of Ramadan (yesterday) and found myself very exhausted due to the breastfeeding, however, I pushed myself to complete the whole day. My questions are that if I miss this Ramadan, in addition to one I did not fast last year due to my pregnancy, until when do I have to make it up? But not every Muslim will be able to fast during Ramadan. The following people are exempt: Young children. The elderly who are medically unable to fast; Sick people. Those who are pregnant. Those who are nursing. Those who are menstruating. People travelling long distances. What happens if I miss a fast during Ramadan? fast during pregnancy and avoid discussing fasting with their providers. A targeted literature review of published studies on fasting during Ramadan and pregnancy or maternal and fetal outcomes was performed. We generally found little to no clinically significant effect of fasting on neonatal birthweight or preterm delivery. Conflicting data Background Although exempt, many pregnant Muslim women partake in the daily fast during daylight hours during the month of Ramadan. In other contexts an impoverished diet during pregnancy impacts on birth weight. The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether Ramadan fasting by pregnant women affects perinatal outcomes. Primary outcomes investigated were perinatal mortality For instance, the systematic review by Chen et al. 17 included nine primary studies, one of which reported that the proportion of cesarean sections was significantly higher in the non-fasting group compared with the Ramadan fasting group; another study showed that cesarean section was higher in the fasting group but the remaining seven studies Pregnant Muslim women may be religiously exempt from fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan, especially if there is concern for undue hardship or harm to maternal or fetal health. However, several studies demonstrate that most women still choose to fast during pregnancy and avoid discussing fasting with their providers. A targeted literature review of published studies on fasting during
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