If you are a Muslim and Ramadan falls during the 9 months of your pregnancy, you most certainly need to be reassured about the impact of fasting on your baby’s health. There is nothing more legitimate! Here are some precautions to take if you want to follow Ramadan in the best possible conditions for you and your child.

Is Ramadan compulsory for pregnant women?

In the life of a Muslim, the month of Ramadan has a very important symbolism. This very special month corresponds to the purification of his body and his spirit to draw even closer to God. It also makes it possible to be able to share the situation of the underprivileged and needy by fasting from sunrise until sunset. Far from being a constraint, the month of Ramadan is a period of festivities. In France, 70% of Muslims would practice fasting during Ramadan.

On a strictly theological level, pregnancy does not represent a contraindication to follow the fast. However, people who are ill, those who travel, pregnant women, those who are breastfeeding or menstruating, as well as those who are undernourished, are not required to follow the fast if they fear that it will harm their health or to that of their child. So, if you feel that fasting will make it difficult for you to follow and that it could hamper your health or that of your baby, do not ignore this exception linked to your pregnancy, even if the vast majority (70% according to some surveys) of expectant mothers choose to observe the Ramadan fast.

On the other hand, opinions differ as to the “postponement” of the fast. For some, the pregnant woman must postpone her fast to another month of the year to make up for the non-fast days when the conditions are different. For others, she must do a charitable work such as feeding a needy for every day missed. Finally, some think that it must both make up for non-fasted days and feed a needy. This flexibility of religious texts may or may not be taken into account depending on how religion is viewed. It is impossible to dictate any rule of conduct on this subject: the matter is above all a personal conviction and in case of doubt, it is best to refer it to his family or to a trusted religious leader.

Risks associated with Ramadan during pregnancy

Several medical studies have looked at the effects of fasting in Ramadan on the health of mothers and babies. The resulting results are difficult to compare because of the different methodologies used but well practiced, fasting should not cause any consequences for the health of the pregnant woman and that of the unborn child.

The effects on the mother

From a medical point of view, several studies suggest that fasting in Ramadan does not seem to have a deleterious effect on pregnant women. A study of 59 fasting pregnant women, however, showed a slight increase in blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglycerides (good fats) in pregnant women who fast compared to those who do not.

The main risks are linked to dehydration which can lead to discomfort and urinary tract infections such as cystitis or renal colic. In case of nausea, blurred vision or dizziness, it is necessary to break the fast.

In addition, in the event of acute or chronic pathology requiring strict monitoring or likely to be aggravated by fasting, it is necessary to be careful and to consult your doctor. In the case of diabetes, for example, blood sugar levels being extremely difficult to balance during the fasting period, it is preferable that the pregnant woman postpone her fasting days.

The effects on the baby

Some studies tend to show that babies are not or only slightly affected by their mother’s Ramadan fast if they eat a healthy and sufficient diet without calorie restriction: there does not seem to be any impact on the baby’s birth weight. , nor on his intelligence quotient (IQ).

Some experts have suggested that a large number of babies are born at the start of Ramadan, but these numbers vary by country. More research and study is needed to find out if fasting actually affects preterm labor.

If you are pregnant and want to follow Ramadan, it is important to check with your doctor, especially if Ramadan falls during the summer, when the days are particularly long and hot.

If your doctor has not given you any contraindication, here are some tips for following your fast in the best possible conditions:

The organization of meals

1. Remember to hydrate yourself with small sips throughout the period between sunset and sunrise. Also remember to drink if you wake up at night. The risk of dehydration is indeed the greatest risk for you and your baby.

2. Avoid foods that are too sweet, which would increase blood sugar levels (blood sugar levels) too much. The hyperglycemia they induce are always followed by an excessive decrease in blood sugar (reactive hypoglycemia) and this results in intense bouts of fatigue, or even dizziness and fainting.

3. Avoid sports activities which risk dehydrating you and causing excess fatigue.

4. Concerning the first meal, the ftour, that of breaking the fast in the evening: its role is to appease the sensations of thirst and hunger. It must consist of drink to rehydrate you intensely, as well as sugary foods to provide your body with energy in an important way. Make sure this meal is light, like a snack:

• Water in small sips taken regularly, possibly in the form of tea (detheinated if you prefer)
• 5 dates
• 5 nuts
• 1 yaourt

5. For the second meal, the “dinner”, which is taken 2 or 3 hours after breaking the fast, make sure to eat a balanced meal:

• Zaalouk (eggplant salad) or a mixed salad
• A Chorba or Harira type soup
• A portion of Kessra pancake
• A glass of milk or yogurt
• Fruits

6. The third meal, the Suhûr, corresponds to the “breakfast” in the morning which precedes the fast. It is the most important meal, the one not to be missed because it allows the body to make reserves to be able to draw from it the energy it needs during the day. For this meal, almost anything is allowed! However, try to make it a balanced meal, such as a hearty breakfast:

• A drink: coffee or tea, possibly decaffeinated or decaffeinated
• Fruits: preferably whole and in season (fruit juices are not very satiating and if they are not freshly squeezed, have no nutritional value, with too few vitamins)
• Bread or cereal
• A dairy: milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, faisselle, small Swiss
• Possibly a part of cheese, a soup and a part of meat

Remember to drink well in addition to the hot drink provided. It is necessary to hydrate your body well in order to build up water reserves for the day.

Organizing your days

Even if the rest of your family and friends go to bed late, you might need to follow this Ramadan more calmly, and by sparing yourself:

• Plan your days so that you can take regular naps, or at least try to rest often.
• Avoid walking long distances or carrying heavy objects, such as shopping bags.
• Keep cool if possible to avoid becoming dehydrated too quickly.
• Cut down on household chores: do as little as possible.
• Accept the help of your loved ones and your family to take care of your daily tasks as much as possible.

In case of concern: break the fast

If you feel dizzy, weak or tired, take a half hour rest and see if you feel better. If there is no improvement, immediately stop the fast and contact your doctor promptly. Contact him immediately if:

• you fainted
• you have nausea or are vomiting
• you notice changes in baby’s movements. If you find that the baby is not moving as much as usual, and that he is not kicking: it is very important to talk to your obstetrician soon.
• you are very thirsty or your urine becomes dark and very smelly: these are signs of dehydration
• you have pain like contractions. These could be signs of preterm labor and you should definitely be seen early.
• you are not gaining or losing weight
• you have a headache, other pain, or fever

Fasting is a common practice among Muslim mothers who breastfeed their infants. No study has yet demonstrated a negative impact of fasting on breastfeeding.

The question only arises in the case of exclusive breastfeeding. In other cases, fasting should not affect breastfeeding, but it is necessary to remain vigilant, because breastfeeding requires a good level of hydration and energy.

Fasting does not seem to decrease the quantity of milk produced but most certainly its quality: it could be less energetic and, in this case, the baby would need more breastfeeding to meet his needs. The important thing is to listen to yourself to protect your health and, with your naturally protective attitude, to be attentive to any change in your child’s behavior.

Risky situations

However, there are risks for the child and for the mother which must be taken into account. So, if you notice any of the following, immediately stop fasting and contact your doctor:

In children:

• reduction in the number of wet diapers (less than 6 per 24 hours)
• greenish stools
• weight loss or not weight gain
• persistent, shrill irritability or crying

At the mother’s house:

• intense thirst, darker and more fragrant urine
• dizziness, bouts of intense fatigue or fainting
• headache, diffuse pain
• severe constipation or colic

Advice

1. Hydrate yourself as much as possible with small sips as soon as you break the fast and as regularly as possible until sunrise. However, avoid tea, coffee and sodas.
2. In case of decreased milk production, favor fennel, cumin, fenugreek, dates, almonds and drink herbal teas that stimulate breastfeeding.
3. Take the time to rest by forcing yourself a nap at the time that seems most convenient to you.
4. If your baby is less than 6 months old and you notice that he does not seem to be full after feedings, your best bet is to forgo the fast rather than supplementing baby with formula. It is indeed preferable to protect exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months of your child so that he enjoys the benefits of breastfeeding clearly demonstrated by scientific studies.

Remember, however, that the Muslim religion allows breastfeeding women not to fast. This flexibility of religious texts, will allow you to adapt, according to your general condition, that of your child and the evolution of these.