Fasting Ramadan During Pregnancy

7/31/2019 Fasting Ramadan During Pregnancy

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Fasting Ramadan During

PregnancyRahma Said AL-Mabsali

Deputy Head Midwife05/07/ 2010


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Introduction

Pregnant women in Oman have limited

opportunities to access evidence based health

information about pregnancy and what to

expect during the antenatal period and the

birthing of their baby. Some women fear

harming their health and their babies' health

due to fasting Ramadan during pregnancy.


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Holy Month of Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendarand fasting is one of the five fundamental obligationof Muslims.

Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan from thesunshine to sunset.

Fasting includes avoidance of drinking fluids andeating foods .

The duration of fasting depends on the exact time ofsunrise and sunset but is usually between 13-18 hrsper day.


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Holy Month of Ramadan

Every healthy Muslim adult responsible for

achieving this obligation

Some time people are permitted to break their

fasting during Ramadan e.g. Children, Elderly,

Sick person , Traveler, Pregnant Postpartum,

women and breast feeding women who are

worried about their health and their babies.


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The weather during Ramadan

The weather during Ramadan is another factor

for women not to fast during summer the

fasting time would be longer during the day

and hot weather compared with Ramadan

during winter were there are less fasting hours

and cooler.


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Literature Review

Researchers found that there was no relation

between fasting and birth weight in any

trimester and fasting during pregnancy did not

decreased mean birth weight for newborn

babies. ( Arab & Nasrollahi, 2001)


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Literature Review

Researchers conducted a cohort study and 539 mother

were involved, 284 were fasting and 255 did not fast

Ramadan during pregnancy.

They found that most of the fasting women had goodweight and healthier and this was related to their

ability to fast during Ramadan than the non fasting

mothers who were slim and concerned about there

health .( Kevehmnesh & Abolghasemi,2004)


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Literature Review

Researchers found that all women reported

awareness about fasting Ramadan in Islam is for

every healthy adult men and women

Most women were aware that they were allowed therepay their fasting days or month.

Some women had the perception that fasting had

harmful effect on pregnancy 11%.

77% of women successfully completed at least 20

days of Ramadan.


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Literature Review

Researchers found that :

Fasting Ramadan during pregnancy did not lead toany effect on maternal and fetal health or fetal

development in a group of women were less/ or 20weeks of gestation.

Fasting did not lead to ketonemia or ketonuria .

There were no changes in mothers weight during

fasting especially with healthy eating and healthy dietand no effect on newborns birth weight.


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Literature Review

The researchers recommended :

The doctors to take part of educating and counselingthe mothers about Ramadan

To respect and to be sensitive to the mothers wishesto fulfill their religious needs.

To ensure that medical condition during pregnancyand medications would not be affected by Fasting.

Encourage the women to discuss the fasting issues

with the doctors and allow them to make an informedchoice to fast or not.


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Healthy Eating during Ramadan

During the Suhoor (the predawn time before starting to fast)the mothers have to:

Try not to skip this meal to keep your energy level up duringthe day.

A moderate meal that includes high fiber and complexcarbohydrates (grains) as the body takes longer to break thesedown and absorb this food.

Drink plenty of water between Iftar and Suhoor to preventdehydration.

Include fresh fruits and vegetables.

Limit intake of sweets and deserts that

will fill the pregnant womean up.


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To start Iftar (the time to break the day's

fast) try to take:

Three dates and juice, to bring your blood sugar level

back to normal.

Semi-skimmed milk

Several well balanced meals with salad.

Include protein like chicken, meat or fish, lentils,chickpeas or beans.

Fresh fruits and vegetables.


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Reduce eating high-fat meals that will fill upthe stomach and produces poor nutrients andmay cause indigestion.

Prying during ramadan is act as exercise afterbreaking the fast which will help in digestionprocess

After dinner, relax for a while and

get up and move around.

H k f i i


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How to make fasting in pregnancy

easier?

Try to be calm and avoid stressful situations. Rest as much as possible and sleep early at night

during Ramadan.

Try to fast one or two days, to see if you can cope

with fasting. Ask other women in your family for tips and

suggestions about how to cope during pregnancy andfasting.

Avoid excessive heat as you can become dehydratedquickly.

Try not to walk long distances or carry any heavyitem.


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When to break the fast during

pregnancy?

When the woman feels dizziness, heart palpitation,headaches, fever or blurred vision.

A reduction of the fetal movements especially during

the last stage of pregnancy. When the woman is very thirsty or the urine becomes

dark and strong smelling, these are signs ofdehydration.

If the woman has nausea or vomiting ,not putting onweight or losing weight.

Break fast and consult your doctor immediately.


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Conclusion

Fasting is a physical and spiritual experiencerequiring a great deal of preparation. Themothercan decide whether she will be able to

fast or not, as she is the only one to make thisdecision. If she feels strong enough to fast andcope with it she may do so. If she is not,Islamic law provides her with permission not

to fast on the condition that the missed daysare made up later.


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THANK YOU

Documents

Fasting Ramadan During Pregnancy