Ramadan whilst pregnant.

[MissPollyHadADolly19]

Salaams to all!
I'm going to be pregnant during Ramadan and would like to know how any other Muslim mum's to be managed.
Did you fast?
What other acts of worship did you do?
Do you still get the same enjoyment from Ramadan?
And any other advice or tips you can give to help me get the most out of this blessed month?

I thought pregnant ladies were excused?

I never fasted when pregnant but I know lots of people who do.
They say that if your baby is healthy it is fine to fast but I just couldn't do it.
You are meant to do the days later and pay if you dont fast.
Congratulations on the pregnancy!

Excused but not forbidden to, some women do still fast but to my knowledge it is not compulsory to fast whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.

Lots of people are excused.
Pregnant/breastfeeding/ elderly./infirm/ ill/children/diabetic and loads more.

Our fasting time here in the UK will be quite long this year but I would love to atleast try for some of the last 10 days. I never realised we needed to make them up though!
I don't think id struggle without food but water I would.
And thank you!

Iirc it's like when you have your period - you add the days on at the end/some other time or give extra charity instead.

I wouldn't fast...baby needs nutrition in the womb especially in the early stages

Is it no water at all during daylight?

If you’re excused then I’d give it a miss for the safety of your baby.

So I can pay the charity instead of making up the days?
And @Raffle no food or water from dusk till dawn.
I will be nearly 6 months by the time Ramadan comes so not too early on but I still will need the nutrition. I do love Ramadan though and will definitely miss fasting!

No water on a summer's day would be a bad idea for anyone, but for a pregnant woman it sounds dangerous. Talk to your midwife. The baby surely has to come first.

You need to drink water at least, especially if the weather is hot. This is to avoid UTIs and dehydration.

I'm not a muslim but in the middle east dawn to dusk is 12-14 hours max even if Ramadan is at the height of summer in the UK in June it is depending where you live 18+ hours not dark till 10-11pm and light again by 4am if not earlier further north. what do muslims even further north do when it doesn't get dark at all in June ( I appreciate not a huge number of Muslims live north of the arctic circle) you would die as no one can go 4 weeks with no food or water
could you try just fasting for the hours it would be in Mecca and drinking water, surely even a part fast is better than nothing so have breakfast and evening meal and fast from 8am to 6-8pm and at the end isn't it the attitude of the heart that really counts

How far are you in your pregnancy I didn't do it last year as I was pregnant and gave birth a week later and still didn't do it as am breastfeeding will do it next year as you have two years when you are pregnant and breastfeeding

Yes, that's my understanding, OP - I've known sisters do that (as making it up isn't always very practical between pregnancy and breast-feeding!).

And any way it doesn't matter how far you are you need to eat healthy drink a lot of water you don't want to put your self and baby at risk especially that it's long day and hot weather

Firstly I am not Muslim but I lived in Tanzania (50% Muslim) and worked in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan.

I knew people who partially fasted ( it depended on when sunrise and sunset was - think December versus June in UK) when pregnant. Secondly, in Saudi, it was very common for people to save up their fasting days ( pregnancy, travel, sickness) and do fasting another time.

I’m not Muslim but I also fast for religious reasons and understand how it can feel missing out during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s not advisable to fast while pregnant, especially for long days when it’s likely to be warm, but you can take part in other ways. You can give money to charity, eat nutritious but simple meals yourself and support others in their fast. No need to feel bad about it

Do you not eat at night anyway? You should be able to get enough nutrients from that surely. Just try eating some more calorie dense foods too.

I live in Saudi. There is absolutely no public eating or drinking in daylight during Ramadan. Except for in the anteroom for the ladies loos (which is usually much nicer than it sounds - its massive, and used as a general changing room to try on clothes bought anywhere in the mall, and as an area for wudhu).
There pregnant and feeding ladies are often found with water, and very occasionally food.

I'd say probably a partial fast, and participating in iftar. But equally, I know how special a time Ramadan is. Maybe take it as it comes?

Congrats on your pregnancy.

What does your common sense tell you.

No one I know would even consider Ramadan while pregnant. I’m surprised to hear that women actually do it.

It's really not a good idea to do any fasting in pregnancy. I think any sensible person knows that.

What is the reasoning behind the fast anyone? (Sorry I'm not too clued up in religion) and do all Muslims do it?

I don't think it would be sensible to fast OP for any period of time whilst pregnant (unless ill of course!) and definitely keep drinking water.

As you say, pregnant women are excused so I wouldn't worry to much. At least you wanted too!

Pay the charity and maybe volunteer to prepare some meals for iftar at the mosque if yours does that?
It will benefit nobody if you fast; you will not get the same benefit by potentially making yourself and your baby ill but if you donate and help then others will benefit.