Dr. Samir Sindy, a
consultant physician in obstetrics, gynecology and Women's Laparoscopic Surgury,
considers dehydration as the most common health problem suffered by pregnant
women who fast Ramadan during the intense summer heat. This is due to the
anatomical nature of the female body, characterized by the shortness of bladder
and pregnancy. There is also a possibility that the womb is pressing against
the ureters or that the urinary tract is infected, which in some cases may lead
to premature birth. So for this reason he advises pregnant women to drink
plenty of fluids upon breaking their fast (Iftar), all through until commencing
their fast (Suhoor.
This advice was given by Dr. Samir Sindy during the interview he had
at the MOH’s Media and Health Awareness Information Center, as part of the program
‘Hello Healthy Ramadan’. Over the past ten years, the MOH has been showing keen
interest in presenting this annual program, in order to facilitate a live
Q&A session between the public and the guest Consultant. This is via the allocated
toll free number: 8002494444, or via the MOH’s Twitter account: @SAUDIMOH.
Dr. Sindy has explained that some pregnant women are advised not to
fast, especially diabetics suffering from irregular blood sugar levels. Pregnant
women who have infections and need to take antibiotics and undergo frequent medications
are also advised not to fast, as well as women who have kidney disease or chronic
liver problems.
He went on to mention that “breastfeeding mothers, who are
dehydrated and may experience more dehydration due to breastfeeding, are
advised to abstain from fasting that day. But generally, it is still possible
for pregnant women to fast based on the statement made by Sheihk Ibn Uthaymeen,
May Allah have mercy upon him: “The pregnant woman’s situation is either one of
two: either she is strong and energetic, with no harm on her – nor her baby's –
health as a result of the hardship of fasting. In this case it’s obligatory for
her to fast because she has no excuse to refrain from doing so. Or she can’t
fast due to the burden of pregnancy or physical weakness or due to any other
reason. In such a case she may break her fast especially if continuing will
harm her fetus; in fact it becomes obligatory upon her to discontinue.”
Dr. Samir emphasized the need to plan in advance for the time of pregnancy,
and to organize her sugar level if she is diabetic. Meanwhile, she must also
drink plenty of fluids all through the period between Iftar and Suhoor. She
must follow the guidelines of her doctor, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables,
eat several times over the night, refrain from unhealthy flavorings, regulate
hours of sleep, and exercise in the evening instead of the morning.