FASTING WHILE PREGNANT

Some thoughts on the decision I made to fast while carrying a child.

Every year during the holy month of Ramadan, our family partakes in fasting.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with what that entails, it means engaging in the choice to refrain from food and drink consumption from dawn until sunset.  While it may sound exhausting, we believe that the benefits of fasting outweigh those that come from food.  During this month we hit the reset button on our spirituality, become more centered, increase our good deeds & donations to charity, and refrain from any sinful behavior. 

This year has been different for me. It is the first year during the fasting month (or ever) that I am pregnant.  I am one week away from approaching my 6th month, and we are now 5 days into Ramadan.  From a religion standpoint, I am not required to fast. From an outsiders’ opinion standpoint, I have also been advised not to fast. But even considering both of those options (and having a long discussion with my doctor), I have decided to fast… and I’m going to share why.

Something changes within me during this month.  It’s something that is difficult to put into words.  Refraining from food and water makes you gain a new perspective on life.  It forces you to appreciate the little things… the things we take for granted each and everyday.  When was the last time someone took a sip of water and really appreciated that they had the ability and resources to quench their thirst? Some may argue that while they agree with the reasons as to why they fast, they still don’t agree with my decision to fast when another person is living inside of me. Even close family have worried about my baby getting the nutrients it needs to grow and be healthy. I would never put my child in danger, nor would I ever attempt to do anything to endanger its’ health.  But I truly believe that fasting while pregnant brings a sense of peace and serenity to a mother who may not be able to remain calm if otherwise. We believe that our spiritual rewards during this month are multiplied, and when you are pregnant, your prayers count for two. 

I wake up each morning about an hour and a half before sunrise and pace myself with food and water.  I make sure to drink one liter in the morning before the sun comes up, and a healthy amount of food to get me through the day.  I stay up for about an hour afterwards and then go to bed.  I usually wake up mid-morning/pre-afternoon, and I carry on throughout my day. The past few days have been surprisingly easy. I haven’t felt hunger or thirst until about half an hour before it’s time to eat.  By then I have developed the will to wait a little longer, and when the sun sets, I have an entire glass of milk and a date… followed by another liter of water.  We break our fasts with soup and a decent meal filled with proteins and vegetables, and then end them with a glass of tea and some dessert.  By then it’s about 10 PM and our stomachs are completely satisfied.  

From a logical standpoint I am just reversing what my body is used to.  We as humans are naturally able to fast without food and water for 8-12 hours when we sleep, so why would I miss the benefits of fasting when me (and my baby) are physically able to go without food naturally for long periods of time? Don’t get me wrong, if I ever felt tired, dizzy, hungry, dehydrated, or even the slightest bit off, I would break my fast. Thankfully that hasn’t happened yet. 

Some may think I’m selfish, but I truly believe the opposite.  I think fasting is an act of selflessness, and even more so when the benefits are doubled as one is carrying a child. So I’m going to keep building up the good deeds for this beautiful thing inside of me, and hopefully my strength will encourage them to make the same decision as they get older.  After all, my strength came from my mother, and I don’t think I turned out so bad.