Fasting During Pregnancy: Is It Safe for You and Your Baby?

In short: There is no single rule on fasting for all pregnant women; the decision is made after asking the doctor. In a normal pregnancy without complications, fasting in Ramadan is not considered harmful to the baby. It is not advised with gestational diabetes, severe vomiting or uncontrolled blood pressure. Break the fast at once for severe weakness, vomiting, painful contractions, bleeding, leaking fluid or reduced movements of the baby.

There is no single rule that fits every pregnant woman when it comes to fasting, as each pregnancy is different.

Whether fasting is safe does not depend only on the mother’s ability to go without food, but on her body’s ability to keep meeting her baby’s needs for important nutrients to support healthy growth. Several factors can affect this, such as the nature of the pregnant woman’s work, or the country’s conditions in terms of the number of fasting hours and the weather. For this reason, it is always preferable to consult your doctor before deciding to fast.

In the first three months of pregnancy, many women experience nausea and vomiting and have little appetite, which makes it difficult to eat large meals. In some cases, nausea and vomiting become so severe that they threaten the wellbeing of the fetus and require hospitalization. In this situation, fasting can become harmful to both mother and baby.

If you are not suffering from nausea, it is generally better to eat small, frequent meals spread throughout the day, to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels for the benefit of both mother and baby. Hunger itself can lead to nausea in anyone (due to stomach acids), and this risk increases in a pregnant woman who is fasting.

In the second trimester of pregnancy, nausea usually eases, allowing the mother to eat at least two meals, and sometimes three. If she chooses to fast, it is important that she compensates for her fluid and nutrient needs, especially protein, at other times of the day.

In the final trimester of pregnancy, the size and weight of the baby increase, which puts pressure on the stomach and can lead to heartburn. Because of this, eating large meals becomes harder, and small, frequent meals are generally preferred.

There are other medical reasons that may prevent a pregnant woman from fasting safely, such as certain existing conditions where not taking medication on time could make the condition worse.

When should a pregnant woman break her fast?

She should break her fast if she feels very weak, dizzy or faint, has a headache, passes little or dark urine, experiences vomiting or nausea, feels painful abdominal contractions, notices fluid leakage or bleeding, or feels that the baby’s movements have decreased.

When is fasting not recommended for a pregnant woman? This generally includes women with gestational diabetes, severe vomiting, uncontrolled blood pressure, signs of premature labor, or any pregnant woman on treatments that must be taken consistently at specific times.

Fasting is also usually not advised for women with diabetes that started before pregnancy, significant anaemia, kidney problems, a twin pregnancy, or when the baby is not growing well.

Is the baby affected when the mother fasts?

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is not usually harmful to the baby if the mother is in good general health, since the baby draws the nutrients it needs from the mother’s reserves—as long as the pregnancy is not high-risk and the mother does not have a condition that requires her to avoid fasting. Every pregnancy is unique, so it’s always best to discuss your personal situation with your doctor before making a decision.

If you have questions about fasting during pregnancy or would like personalized guidance for your situation, the team at Dr. Najeeb Layyous’s clinic is available to help support a healthy pregnancy journey.

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist