Ramadan Day 14: Tips for Fasting While Pregnant

Alhamdulillah we're entering the second half of Ramadan now and alhamdulillah bubba is still very cooperative while I fast.

I do often get questioned, "do you still fast even though you're pregnant?". I understand their concerns, especially from people outside of Islam, but the answer is yes, of course. BUT if you're not strong enough until the time to break your fast or concerned with the baby's well being, then you may not fast." So, there are conditions that needs to be met before you can break your fast before Maghreeb time, which are:

• Mother not strong enough - for example: you would often vomited, felt dizzy, feeling like you're going to faint, etc
• Concerned with baby's well being - for example: baby is not moving a lot

This year, in Sydney we only fast for less than 12 hours and weather is cool enough not to make you overly exhausted - so I'm very thankful of that. Sometimes I do get tempted to break my fast when my stomach growls and I would start getting sleepy around 11am. But usually all I need is a bit of walking and a trip to the washroom, and I should feel better. Baby's still moving around actively, so that also gave me a peace of mind to continue with my fast.

Some tips that I could share with fellow mommies to be for fasting in Ramadan while you're pregnant are:

• Make sure you have suhoor. This is a must! Preferrably with something that can make you full for the whole day - so, carbs is a must. An ideal balanced breakfast/suhoor should consist of 50% carbohydrate, 30% protein, and 10-20% fat. Don't worry, I don't really follow this :D as long as I eat one portion of food, no less.
• Drink a lot of water. It is highly recommended - a must, in fact - that pregnant women have enough water/fluid intake. Just because you're fasting, doesn't mean you're allowed to drunk less water. Plan your water intake throughout the night, make sure you and baby are always hydrated.
• Take your supplements. I remember before I even got pregnant, I used to feel very tired everyday, until one day I decided to purchase the Blackmores Stress Relief capsules (because I thought it could help reduce the stress). That supplement worked wonders on me. So, since then, I promised myself to regularly take supplements to improve my stamina throughout the day. While you're pregnant, obviously you will need extra energy for you and the baby, so don't skip on your pregnancy supplements!
• Don't get too tired. Look after yourself. You know yourself better than anyone else. Remember that now you have a precious cargo in your belly that you have to take extra care of. So, don't push yourself too hard to achieve your Ramadan goals (well that's if you're making ambitious goals). I'm already way off track with my tilawah, but I have to be mindful of the baby. You don't want baby to get too tired then decided to come out early!
• Break your fast as soon as possible. Baby needs food after a day of fasting! And this is actually the sunnah, so I think no further explanation needed :). Just make sure you have something sweet to boost your sugar level.