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2nd Trimester
Enami
member
Fasting?
Enami
member
Has anyone fasted during their pregnancies? If so, what kind of fasting, for how long, and how restrictive? I'm not talking about m/s induced fasting, lol.
-A well-tended garden is indicative of a well-tended soul.-
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Fasting?
No, and I wouldn't do it, either. Why would you?
This exactly! Instead of fasting regarding food I have decided to both fast regarding spending (which is really hard when I go by the baby section) and make sure both DH and I are in church every weekend and volunteering my time.
This!
This..
The ONLY time I was told to fast was when I had to take a GD test and that was no food after 8pm till the test in the AM..so it wasnt really fasting at all..
Yes, I am serious. No, this isn't MUD. No, its not for Lent. Yes, it is religious. To the PP who asked about food or drink, I can set my own fast, so I'm able to abstain from whatever I want. I'd like to do a 3 day on liquids, which would include the wonderful V8 juice! I plan on continuing to take all my vitamins, and yes I'm planning on talking to my doctor Friday before starting.
Um, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'm putting my spiritual beliefs on hold. Fasting is important to many religions, and just because some of those have become more lenient in modern times, that doesn't mean that fasting is any less important to me. I read an article written by an LDS woman on her fasting during pregnancy, she mentioned protein drinks and veggie juices.
Obviously no one thus far has fasted while pregnant, judging from the responses...
Um, well it should if you're doing something dangerous like NOT EATING. If you don't eat, baby doesn't eat. Lots of stuff does get put on hold during pregnancy. Deal with it.
As for the last sentence - maybe there's a reason no one has? Hmmm.
For Ash Wednesday I fasted as much as I could being pregnant. I abstained from large meals, and didn't snack unless I needed to. The snacks I had were plain, simple, and did the job... i.e.- I didn't eat a bowl of queso and some chips, I'd have a few crackers with peanut butter. I abstain from meat on Fridays, and on Good Friday I will be fasting like I did on Ash Wednesday. It isn't a traditional fast, but I am sacrificing (which all of us know is pretty tough for a pregnant girl!). I'm Catholic and I technically have an exemption from fasting and abstaining, but I agree with you (to an extent) about not putting beliefs on hold, but perhaps you could modify what you're thinking about doing, so you are still following your beliefs, without putting you or your baby in danger
It really isn't safe to only consume liquids, especially for three days. The baby will probably be fine, since your body will care for him or her first. You will feel the effects of the fast. I know if I go more than 4 or 5 hours without eating I get lightheaded, dizzy, and may faint. This isn't uncommon for pregnant women. I can only imagine what fasting for three days while pregnant would be like.
If you don't mind me asking, what faith are you? Every major religion I can think of exempts or specifically states that pregnant woman should not fast. Perhaps you should speak with your priest/rabbi/etc. about an alternative?
I think that this is a terrible idea. There is no need to fast for your spiritual beliefs while pregnant. Your baby needs fat and protein, everyday- so unless you will be drinking protein shakes with fish oil in them 3X a day it is a bad idea.
I'm Catholic and my husband is Baha'i, so March should have been a month of fasting for both of us (and this month for me), but pregnant and nursing women are excluded from fasting in all the religions I know. Specifically, Judaism, Islam, Christianity and the Baha'i faith all very specifically note that pregnant/nursing women, the elderly, the ill and children should not fast because they do not have the reserves in their bodies to do so. They instead recommend that these groups do other forms of ritual sacrifice. I spend more time talking to God, allow myself fewer indulgences and do more good works to make up for the fact that I can't abstain and fast during Lent. My sister-in-law did the same while she was expecting our niece last year.
Fasting while pregnant hurts you and your baby, which isn't something that God wants. You don't have to compromise your spiritual relationship with God just because you're pregnant, but it's a disservice to your unborn child (and your own body) to take away nutrients at a time like this. Drinking your meals doesn't get you the same value. You need to be eating properly.
Wow, did you ever stop to think fasting is a form of prayer? So, if you're spiritual, you stop praying for the next 9 months then tell me which parts of my faith to put on hold. Also, there are people that still fast while pregnant, I just didn't know if anybody on here did. Solids are not the only forms of calorie intake, baby doesn't distinguish between the protein from a chicken breast and equal amounts of protein from a shake or other non-solid source.
I guess I'm just not eating as much as everyone else is either, I'm lucky to get in two meals a day, with some minimal snacking. I'm overweight to begin with, so maybe that's part of it? I like the idea of simple snacking, I was debating on doing a bread and liquids fast instead of just going all out liquids. Crackers are my best friend right now.
I am trying to do this without endangering the baby, which is why I'm looking at protein shakes and continuing my vitamin supplement for the duration. I mean, 3 days really isn't that long, its not like I'm going for a couple weeks.
As for my faith, I'm CR. As it is one of the smallest spiritual movements in the world, I'm pretty sure no one knows what it is (unless you're familiar with the facets of neo-Paganism). So here's the FAQ:
CR FAQ
The nearest CR group to me is 400 miles away, so I don't have a spiritual leader readily at hand. I hate this, and that's part of the reason I want to move to Seattle (one of the largest CR communities in the US). But I can't right now, so I make due. We do have very active ADF groups, which work in conjunction with many CRs.
ADF
This was kind of my thinking; as long as I got my vitamins and proteins, baby should be fine. Its not like it can tell whether I'm eating steak or drinking something for those nutrients. Thanks!
This sounds very reasonable and like a great way to go about it.
Also, you sound smart and respectful of other religions. I like that. I'm lutheran, so I'm not fasting, but I like how you've taken the "spiritual" parts of your beliefs and merged them with practicality. Nice work.
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Isn't there another way you can practice your religious beliefs without denying nourishment to your baby for several days?
ETA: In response to your comment about getting all the nourishment you need from protein shakes and juices -- pregnant women need roughly 70 grams of protein per day. Guess you'll have to drink a lot of protein shakes, huh?
That's actually only about 2.5 servings of Muscle Milk.
I'm not a doctor or anything so I'm not going to say anything except that I disagree.
I was looking to see if anyone else has done this. This is my first pregnancy, I haven't tried this before, just looking to see if any other moms have. I've found some articles written by fasting pregnant women, but I haven't had the opportunity to talk to them and ask any questions. I'm not sure of the frequency or restrictiveness of their fasts, since they have tried different kinds, nor about their experiences other than what's been written, which really emphasizes the spiritual side of the fast. I really don't see how anybody not knowing about my religion is important, fasting is a cross-cultural practice. I didn't mention my faith in the OP, and wasn't planning on bringing it up, but if someone asks, I will tell them. I'm not here to "stir up drama", but if you think fasting is dramatic, I think you miss the point of it. Just because you don't like the idea doesn't mean I'm a drama-mongerer. Yes, I have a plan; no, I have no idea if it will work out.
I also have a plan about how I'm going to attempt natural childbirth; should I refrain from any posts in regards to that since I have some idea of what to do but no idea about what to expect?
By not fasting, I am in no way putting my spiritual beliefs on hold. There are other ways to pray and worship. I honestly don't think ANY religion would recommend fasting while pregnant, it just isn't worth the risk. Eat a balanced diet, getting the right amount of nutrients and calories as recommended by your physician.
-_- Like neither of you has ever used that or "gay" in passing. Get off your high horse just because I happened to have said in on the internet. Those words, in case you didn't know, have lost all negative connotations over the years *gasp*. I'd be more offended if some one called her mentally handicapped.
Get over yourself.
Well then I'll apologize to those I have offended and try to refrain from doing it in the future. I am guilty of not completely thinking things through and that thought had never crossed my mind.
I'm sorry.
~Declare it..Claim it..It will be!!~
5/9/09
Here We Go Again!!
I, for one am praying its your last. there are so many outside babies starving in this world, why make an inside baby starve?
I'm LDS and we have a fast Sunday once a month, when every one is encouraged to fast UNLESS you have a condition that requires you to eat. Example...taking medicine with food or pregnancy. I am loving the fact that I can skip fasting guilt free! The LDS woman who chose to fast while pregnant was purely making a personal choice...just so no one gets the idea that a church is forcing someone to do something not healthy.
I personally feel that there are other ways to supplement my spiritual needs beyond fasting. I feel that God isn't going to take away an opprotunity to grow just because I'm bringing a new life into this world.
I've done a lot of research about this because I'll be pregnant during both the major fasting days on the Jewish calendar (26 hours each, no food, no water) and women are obligated to fast, pregnant or no. That being said, these rules are for women with healthy pregnancies only. If you have complications that could endanger the fetus, then your Rabbi will evaluate the danger and provide an alternative to fasting. My pregnancy has some complications because I have a prothrombin mutation and I've had two prior m/c, so my Rabbi told me to eat three small meals on both fast days and abstain from meat and any liquid other than water. That way I'll still be making a sacrifice without doing anything remotely potentially dangerous.
So: two things: talk to your doctor and see if your fast is ok (chances are he/she'll say yes if you're healthy), talk to your religious advisor and make sure you are following the fasting rules for pregnant women, because they could be different. And, personally, I applaud you for continuing to want to practice your religious obligations during your pregnancy.
Really? If you'd read any of my posts further along, I'm open to doing more than liquid fasts. Fasting isn't just abstaining from solids, it can be abstaining from any sort of food or drink. If I take in the same amount of nutrients from different (non-solid) sources, how is my baby starving? My body breaks it all down before it gets to baby anyway, so baby will not be able to differentiate between chicken and shake. Also, are vegans who continue their lifestyle while pregnant also damned in your eyes?
When does fasting hurt an unborn child? As long as you are taking in the recommended amount of vitamins and nutrients, baby will not starve, correct?
To an extent, yes. But not all fasts are foodless, some are specific types of food (animal product, alcohol, etc...). You also feel different when switching from a solids to liquids diet, even for a short amount of time. I've done fasts before (thought not with protein or vitamin supplements), and the stuff I was taking into my body during the fast (veggie and fruit juices) was healthier than any of the solid foods I was eating. But my body at first felt the difference between having a stomach full of food and a stomach full of liquid, even though that liquid was really giving me better nourishment. So I could physically feel that withdrawal from solids, and could reflect on my purpose in giving them up and focus myself more on my spirituality. I have started on a much healthier lifestyle than before, and have done just water fasts for up to 36 hours.
Yes, I did understand that it was a personal choice of hers to continue, she did say with her first pregnancy she didn't fast, but felt guilty, so she researched different types of fasting. I was in no way trying to say anyone's faith is forcing them to fast, not even mine. It's completely up to me, and my desire to continue to fast while pregnant, in a healthy way.
Thank you. I have had no complications with my pregnancy so far, and I have no chronic illnesses or injuries, so I was thinking fasting would be fine. Contrary to what most PPs seem to think, I'm not out there to starve my baby, I'm trying to be the best mother I can be, both physically and spiritually.
Any resources you can share from the research you've been doing?
I use Chabad's website a lot for this kind of information. Orthodox Jewish women have loads of children and fast for Tisha b'Av and Yom Kippur, both complete sundown to sundown no food no water fasts, and have perfectly healthy babies. Bed rest seems to be highly recommended and it is allowed if you're pregnant.
I have loads of information on the laws of fasting for women during pregnancy, if you're Jewish. PM me if you want more information. I totally understand your desire to fast. I did a modified fast for Tisha B'av last summer because I thought I might be pregnant again (I had just had my first m/c a couple months before and was too scared to risk it so my Rabbi gave me an alternative). I didn't get nearly as much out of the experience as I usually do. It did make fasting on Yom Kippur a lot more meaningful. There's definitely a difference.
I'm really horrified at how you were attacked for asking such a simple question. Anything I can do to help, just let me know.
I'm not Jewish, but I'm one of those people that can look at the customs of other religions/cultures and find some sort of common thread between what they are going through in a certain ritual/fast/celebration and what I'm going through. I have several Othodox Jewish friends (Alpha Epsilon Pi!!), and have celebrated Purim and Passover with them through our on campus Jewish student center. So I guess I've experienced some Jewish holidays (albeit more geared towards the college crowd).
Yes, it definitely is a different experience depending on how you fast, or if you fast not at all. Thanks for getting where I'm coming from.
I've read and heard from numerous sources that there is a surge in pre-term births after both Tisha b'Av and Yom Kippur. Idk if hunger panes can trigger contractions, like bowel cramps can, or what. Just something to keep in mind. Of course the fast OP is talking about isn't nearly as restrictive as Tisha b'Av and Yom Kippur.