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Pregnant women should avoid fasting if it would be harmful to themselves or their child, but Islam does allow pregnant women to fast.
If you do decide to fast while pregnant, it’s important to seek professional medical advice, plan your meals and eat well at suhoor (sahur) and iftar time, and to make sure you take extra care of your health.
No, you do not have to fast while pregnant if it would be harmful to you or your baby.
Going long periods without eating or drinking can pose health risks, particularly for women with health conditions, including pregnancy.
Many pregnant women can experience nausea and sickness, which prevent them from being able to fast.
If you are unable to fast while pregnant, you must make up for your missed fasts at a later date or pay fidya if you will not be able to do so.
Pregnancy itself does not automatically mean that fidya is required.
If you are unable to fast while pregnant, but you are able to make the fasts up at a later date, you must do this when it is safe for you to do so.
This is according to the overwhelming majority of scholars and the four madhabs.
Please consult a trusted local scholar or imam for more guidance.
It’s important to seek professional medical advice before deciding to fast during pregnancy as it can affect the health of both you and your baby.
If you do decide to fast, make sure to monitor your health throughout the month, and stop fasting if you feel unwell. You may also opt to fast on some, but not all days of Ramadan, to make it more manageable.
You should plan your meals well and eat nutritious and balanced foods at suhoor (sahur) and iftar time.
Make sure you take plenty of rest and do not overexert yourself. Stay in the shade, drink plenty of water, and keep up your vitamin supplements.
Make an effort to maintain a balanced diet consisting of carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, fibre and essential vitamins and minerals.
To keep up your strength, eat slow-release carbohydrates such as whole-grain pasta, rice and bread.
Include protein foods such as chicken, fish and eggs, as well as healthy fats found in foods such as avocados, nuts and seeds.
It’s important to eat foods high in iron such as red meats and leafy greens to help prevent anaemia, and remember to also eat foods that have a high-water content such as watermelon, soups and vegetables.
Avoid eating processed and greasy foods when you break your fast, as this can make heartburn and indigestion worse. This includes foods such as chips, pastries and samosas.
Stay away from refined sugars found in fizzy drinks and foods such as white bread, cakes, biscuits and sweets, as these can cause spikes in blood sugar.
Don’t forget to stay away from foods which are unsafe to eat during pregnancy, such as soft cheeses and undercooked meat.
You should also avoid salty foods and caffeinated foods and drinks such as tea, coffee and chocolate, as these can cause dehydration.
Find out more about the holy month of Ramadan and its benefits here.