Doctor Feshtali, we know that pregnancy periods are divided into three periods of three months, three months, and the last three months.
It's said that the first three months and the last three months are generally the most difficult for women. Exactly.
If a woman is in her first three months of pregnancy and her nausea is severe, she should not fast.
These three months are precisely when we discover the pregnancy.
And during the first doctor's visit to discover the pregnancy, we must check if there are no pre-existing diseases.
For example, if the woman had diabetes before.
If she has a kidney problem, those are chronic diseases.
That increase blood pressure, affect the kidneys, and can be carried by women.
There are diseases that we must discover in these first three months.
That generally prevent fasting.
Pregnancy, in the first three months, changes the woman's state.
The cardiac output increases, her needs increase.
And at the same time, we talk about nausea, so vomiting becomes more frequent.
There can be nausea. Dizziness. One can have dizziness.
So, what we say depends on the woman's capacity.
If she can fast without having problems with vomiting, then she can fast without any issue.
As we say to all women, the fetus takes what it needs.
What it needs. It takes its right.
And it leaves the woman in second place.
There's no fear for the fetus, the fear is mainly for her health and her capacities.
Her capacity to endure.
Obviously, if vomiting occurs frequently, it is impossible to fast.
Because if she vomits, she breaks her fast and at the same time, she risks dehydrating.
She risks dehydrating.
It's indeed a problem to dehydrate, especially since this is the time when she needs to eat well.
This is when she is building her health.
But if she has the capacity to fast, what we advise them is to fast at night, that is during this period.
From iftar to suhoor.
She should divide her meals, rather than eating everything at once.
Indeed, if she eats everything at once, the risks of vomiting are increased and digestive problems become more frequent.
Because during pregnancy, digestion can become more difficult.
Because the pregnancy hormone tends to relax the muscles of the intestines.
It also acts in relaxing our blood circulation, which slows down all processes.
This means that the functioning of the intestines, normally essential for digestion, becomes less effective.
So, we strongly recommend dividing her food intake.
She should avoid eating all at once and hydrate sufficiently during this period.
And eat foods rich in proteins.
And those that contain slow sugars.
Those that she will need after dawn.
The last three months for a woman, and also the last three months.
Especially the last month, but even at 7 or 8 months, it's normal. Most can fast without any problem.
But in the last month, the fetus grows suddenly.
The belly suddenly increases in size.
Thus, the increase in the size of the uterus puts pressure on the intestines.
So, digestion becomes difficult and some women start to experience more nausea as they approach childbirth.
The pressure of pregnancy on the veins results in low blood pressure.
We have the dorsal veins that ensure blood circulation throughout the body.
So, the pressure exerted by the uterus with the fetus affects us and causes low blood pressure.
This means the woman needs to rest and eat properly, making fasting difficult for her.
But it depends on her capacity.
For example, for women, we recommend that they fast one day and refrain the next day, depending on their situation.
For example, they should listen to their body. If they feel tired or exhausted, they should stop. Absolutely.
Do breastfeeding women fast or not?
For breastfeeding, we generally advise women not to fast because the situation is different.
Indeed, for breastfeeding, nutritional requirements are very high, especially in case of 100% exclusive breastfeeding.
100% exclusive breastfeeding means that the baby needs to be breastfed every two hours.
Exactly. That's it, exclusive breastfeeding requires almost feeding every two hours.
This implies more effort and indicates that nutritional needs are more significant.
Water requirements are increased, making fasting difficult during breastfeeding.
Indeed, most women who fast during breastfeeding notice a decrease in their milk production.
Milk decreases because the production, which must be constant throughout the day, is affected.
Therefore, it's essential to eat well to maintain milk production and ensure its continuity.
And to have the energy and capacity needed.
Indeed, as we mentioned when discussing the last three months, it's important not to forget the possible diseases that can occur after 5 or 6 months of pregnancy.
Like hypertension, gestational diabetes also appears during this period.
So, these cases need to be treated differently.