Fasting
for long periods may cause: Headaches, Fatigue, Fainting, and losing the unborn
baby
Pregnant
Muslim women who fast during Ramadan are likely to have smaller babies who will
be more prone to learning disabilities in adulthood, according to new research.
Scientists
in the United States also found that the women were 10 per cent less likely to
give birth to a boy if they had fasted during Ramadan.
The
trend was clearest if the fasting was done early in the women’s pregnancy, and
during the summer months, when long hours of daylight called for them to go
longer without food.
Ramadan
is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a time when Muslims across the
world fast from dawn until sunset. Three in four Muslim pregnancies overlap
with Ramadan and surveys indicate that the majority of pregnant Muslims observe
the fast. This year, it falls between 27 May and 26 June.
Although
pregnant women may request an exemption from fasting, they are expected to
“make up” the fasting days missed during pregnancy after their baby is born.
Previous
research has suggested that this requirement may discourage pregnant women from
seeking the exemption, since they do not want to be the only member of their
household fasting. Some Muslims also interpret Islamic law as requiring
pregnant women in good health to fast.
Since
fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a central
part of Muslim culture, many women may fear a loss of connection with their
communities or would feel guilty if they did not observe Ramadan.
The
study, which used census data from the US, Iraq and Uganda, also discovered
long-term effects on the adult’s health and his or her future economic success.
Douglas
Almond, of Columbia University, and Bhashkar Mazumder, of the Federal Research
Bank of Chicago, the authors of the research, concluded: “We generally find the
largest effects on adults when Ramadan falls early in pregnancy.
“Rates
of adult disability are roughly 20 per cent higher, with specific mental
disabilities showing substantially larger effects. Importantly, we detect no
corresponding outcome differences when the same design is applied to
non-Muslims.”
Sheikh
Ibrahim Mogra, an imam from Leicester, said sharia (Islamic law) would never
expect a woman to fast if it had an adverse effect on either the mother or
child.
“Sharia
would not want the mother to unnecessarily burden herself,” he said. “There’s
no point being needlessly brave. When Ramadan falls during the winter months,
more women will fast. But when it falls during the summer, when you might have
to fast for 16 or 17 hours, it is understandable that fewer mothers will be
fasting.”
Nusrat
Hussain, a mother of four from Ilford, fasted during her second pregnancy,
which fell during Ramadan.
“It
was something I wanted to do. But I started to feel dizzy and my husband and I
decided I should stop. There’s no Islamic compulsion to fast if you’re pregnant
but I think people do sometimes feel pressured within some cultures,” she said.
. However,
fasting in pregnancy appears to be safer for you and your baby if you feel
strong and well enough, and if your pregnancy is going well.
If
you don’t feel well enough to fast, or are worried about your health or your
baby’s well being, speak to your doctor or Nurse before deciding to fast. They
will most likely review your physical health and medical history. they probably
check for other complications, such asdiabetes in the pregnancy , anaemia or
twin pregnancies before giving you the go-ahead.
One
factor is when the fast takes place. For example, if Ramzan coincides with
summer, like now in the Gambia this means hot weather and long days, which puts
you at greater risk of dehydration.
What
are the things you should keep in mind if you are’ fasting
Try
not to have high sugar foods and caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea during
your fast.
.If
the weather is hot and humid, stay indoors during the peak heat hours.
·
If fluids are allowed ensure you keep sipping water, milk or fresh fruit juices
at regular intervals.
·
Try to rest for some time during the day. It is best to not do any strenuous
work and exercise while you’re fasting.
· Fasting
slows down your digestive system, so remember to break your fast slowly. Drink
a small glass of juice or coconut water first and then follow it up with a
light meal.
·
If you suffer from extreme exhaustion, fatigue, palpitations, abdominal cramps
or severe nausea and acidity speak to your doctor right away.
Do
not feel bad about missing your fast; there are other options that you could
consider
For
many women fasting is an integral part of their lives, especially if it is a
custom or a religious belief. So it’s understandable that you are upset at the
thought of giving up something you value deeply.
Consider
the following:
To
protect your eyes from the glare. Drink lots of water to keep you hydrated as
well.
· Eat
little and often Instead of a daily fast, can you fast on the first and last
day of the fasting period?· Is it possible to fast weekly or on alternate days
instead of a daily fast?
·
Could you choose a fruit fast instead of giving up all food and drink?
·
Are there any exemptions or allowances for pregnant women, such as breaking the
fast early or making up by fasting later?
·
Is it possible to share the fast with another family member? Some husbands
offer to keep the fast for half a day while their wives fast for the other
half.
·
Could you substitute the fast with other forms of sacrifice such as abstaining
from certain foods like non-vegetarian fare, sweets, certain cereals or salt?
Find
out more about: Tips for a healthy fast newly pregnant and feeling ill. Should
I fast?youhad a miscarriage (abortion), lost my pregnancy before. Will fasting
put my current pregnancy at risk?
Why
you are getting terrible headaches when pregnant?
It’s
not unusual to get headaches when you’re pregnant, especially in the first
trimester. And if you’ve always been susceptible to them, pregnancy can make
the problem worse.
Headaches
in pregnancy are probably caused by hormones, and changes in the way your blood
circulates. If you have given up caffeine, this can also make your head pound.
Other possible reasons include fatigue, sinus congestion, high blood pressure,
stress and hunger. Headaches can also be caused by too much exposure to the sun
and dehydration.
Migraine
headaches are different. Some women who usually suffer from migraines find they
have less trouble with them during pregnancy. Others find these painful episodes
becoming more frequent and intense when they are pregnant.
What
can you do to relieve headache pain?
Most
headache medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are not recommended for
pregnant women. Paracetamols, however, is considered safe for occasional use.
But before you pop a few pills, try one of these safer alternatives:
·
Work out what’s triggering the pain
Do
you get a pounding headache after being cooped up in a hot, stuffy office all
day? Then take regular fresh air breaks. Are your headaches linked to arguments
with your husband or power struggles with the children? Think of ways to defuse
these situations before they cause you physical pain.
Headaches
may also be a sign of an allergy. If you find that certain smells or foods
irritate your system and cause a headache, it is best to avoid them.
·
An old-fashioned compress
Apply
a warm compress around your eyes and nose for sinus headaches, and a cool
compress at the base of your neck for tension headaches.
·
Treat that cold
a
cold and stuffy nose can give you a headache. Try relieving the pain using a
steam inhalation with a drop or two of peppermint oil added.
·
Beat the heat
when
out in the sun, use an umbrella or pupate to cover your head and dark glasses
Low
blood sugar is a common cause of headaches. Try eating smaller, more frequent
meals. If you’re on the move, keep some snacks (crackers, fruit, whole-wheat
biscuits) in your bag.
·
Stay active
there
is some evidence that regular exercise can reduce the frequency and severity of
migraines. A walk in the neighbourhood park or a dip in the swimming pool at
least once a day can be effective.
· Get
your eyes tested
Sometimes
pregnancy may affect your vision, causing headaches. A trip to the
ophthalmologist may help.
·
Take a cold shower
This
is a simple but effective remedy for some migraines. It works by constricting
the dilated blood vessels in the head to bring fast, if temporary, relief. If
you can’t take a shower, splash some cool water on your face.
· Take
a break
Sometimes
a headache may be brought on by fatigue and exhaustion. Getting some sleep may
be the best way to take care of the pain.
Can
a headache be a sign of something more serious?
On
rare occasions, yes. For example, if you also have high blood pressure or
protein in your urine, your headaches could mean that you have pre-eclampsia.
This is a serious form of high blood pressure in pregnancy. But for the vast
majority of women, headaches during pregnancy are simply an unpleasant but
temporary side-effect of carrying a child.
Will
I suffer with headaches throughout my pregnancy?
Probably
not. For most women, pregnancy headaches tend to diminish and even disappear.
Experts believe this is when the flood of hormones stabilizes, and the body
gets used to its pregnant state.
Why
are you so tired now that you are pregnant?
You’re
not the only one! A constant feeling of fatigue is very common in the early
stages of pregnancy. Being pregnant puts a strain on your entire body, which
can make you very tired . What many women remember most about the early stages
of pregnancy is that constant feeling of fatigue.
In
the first trimester, your body works especially hard. It’s the time when you’re
making the all-important placenta, your baby’s life-support system. This
process continues until the end of the first trimester. Meanwhile, your hormone
levels and metabolism are rapidly changing, and your blood sugar and blood
pressure tend to be lower. It’s not surprising that you feel tired!
However,
if you are also feeling dizzy or occasionally fainting, you may be anaemic and
should speak to your doctor. If your doctor hasn’t prescribed iron supplements
until now, she may do so.
How
long will this tiredness last?
Everyone
is different, but pregnant women usually experience fatigue in the first
trimester and at the beginning of the second trimester. After that, you’ll
probably feel a burst of energy that will last until your third trimester. Then
sometime around your seventh month you may begin to lose steam again.
What
can you do to cope with tiredness?
·
Listen to your body’s signals. Try taking catnaps or going to bed early. At
work, even a 15-minute nap can make a difference. If you’re lucky enough to
have a private cabin at work, shut the door; put your head down on your desk,
and rest.
·
Try to adjust your schedule. If possible, arrange to take work home over the
weekend so you can go home early once in a while. Or, if you’re already a
mother, give yourself a break now and then. Ask your parents or a close
relative to look after your children, so you can catch up on your sleep. Make a
conscious effort to take short breaks from household chores. Sit down and put
your feet up to relax your tired body.
·
Make sure you’re eating properly. A healthy diet made up of vegetables, fruits,
whole grains, skimmed milk and lean meats can be energising. Junk food, by
contrast, actually saps your energy.
·
Take your vitamin supplements regularly. Lack of calcium, iron and vitamin D in
your body may also result in fatigue. Make sure you have your recommended dose
of vitamin supplements.
· Find
something interesting to do. If you often feel bored or fed up, fatigue may
make it worse. This may be a good time to connect with friends and relatives.
Or try taking up a hobby that will keep you busy, but take care that it does
not leave you exhausted.
· Release
tension. Stress can drain you of energy. Consider practicing some meditation
and relaxation techniques to help release tension in your mind and body.
·
Hang in there. Soon enough you’ll be in your second trimester and feeling more
energetic again. You may even feel ready to take in a late show occasionally or
go on a weekend break . But try to stock up on your sleep while you can. Once
your baby is born, you’ll be looking back on this period of undisturbed nights
with nostalgia!
Why
you feeling dizzy?
Dizziness
is a common feature of pregnancy. Between half and three quarters of pregnant
women feel dizzy to some degree. The reason for your dizzy spells varies
depending on how far into your pregnancy you are.
Dizziness
in the first three months
Early
in your first trimester, you may feel dizzy and have bouts of nausea as your
blood flow works to catch up with your rapidly expanding circulatory system.
This happens because the pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes the walls of your
blood vessels, causing your blood pressure to fall. This can make you more
likely to feel dizzy from as early as eight weeks. Your body is usually able to
adjust to these changes, but you may sometimes feel dizzy and light-headed.
Dizziness
in the second and third trimester
In
the second trimester, your growing womb (uterus) can put pressure on blood
vessels. This can make you feel dizzy. Lying flat on your back can also cause
dizziness in the later stages of pregnancy.
It’s
very common to feel dizzy occasionally during your pregnancy. This can be for a
number of reasons:
·
If you stand up too quickly your blood doesn’t have enough time to reach your
brain. This is also called postural hypotension.
·
If you lie down for too long. About one in 10 pregnant women experiences this
because of low blood pressure.
·
If you haven’t eaten for a while and your blood sugar is low, especially in the
late afternoon.
·
If you are anaemic or suffer from varicose veins.
·
If you are dehydrated or anxious.
·
Excessive exercise or anxiety can sometimes cause you to hyperventilate and
feel faint, especially if you’re feeling tired or not well.
When
should you check with your doctor or Nurse about your dizzy spells?
You
should see your doctor, or Nurse if you faint, if you are often dizzy or if you
have dizziness as well as:
· pain
in your pelvic area or belly
· shortness
of breath
· blurred
vision
· palpitations
· headaches
· vomiting
Persistent
dizziness or dizziness accompanied by blurred vision and headaches or
palpitations can be a symptom of severe anaemia or other serious illness that
could affect your pregnancy. In rare cases, dizziness accompanied by severe
lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, especially early on in pregnancy,
may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. In such cases, contact your doctor
immediately.
Dizziness
can also be caused by something that’s nothing to do with your pregnancy, such
as allergies or panic attacks. It can also be because you’re breathing too fast
or too deeply (hyperventilation). That’s why if you have any concerns, you
shouldn’t hesitate to get help. But keep in mind that feeling dizzy - from
heat, hunger, nausea, or getting up too fast - is often just part of being
pregnant.
For
further information E- Mail on azadehhassanmd10@gmail.com, send text only to
002207774469/3774469 working days between 3-6 pm
Author
Dr Azadeh Senior Lecturer at the University of the Gambia, Senior Consultant in
Obstetrics &Gynaecologist, Clinical Director Medicare Health Services
