PREGNANCY FASTING

In India women believe in fasting. Women fast for a number of reasons. Some fast because of festivals, while some fast because of religious beliefs, while some fast for health purposes. But what is important is whether your belief about fasting is justified if you are pregnant. To find out read more.

Should you fast during pregnancy

In India women believe in fasting. Women fast for a number of reasons. Some fast because of festivals, while some fast because of religious beliefs, while some fast for health purposes. But what is important is whether your belief about fasting is justified if you are pregnant. Is it ok to fast during pregnancy and how far is it appropriate to let your baby fast along with you. A baby, during its incubation period, needs all the nutrients it can get from its mother. If one looks at the list of nutrients that your baby needs during its incubation period, you'll be shocked at what your baby is missing out on when you fast. Hence fasting is absolutely not advisable.

Denying your baby the proper amount of nutrients might create lot of difficulties in future and might create deformities in your child. No doubt, denying your baby the amount of nutrients and vitamins probably won't kill him. But why deny him the chance of being a perfect human being and increase his risk of disabilities and difficulties in future.

Following is the list of nutrients required by your child during its incubation period:

Vitamin

Vitamin is an important ingredient required by the baby in its daily diet. Normally vitamins are stored in the body by the baby however vitamin C is not stored in your baby; therefore, if you do not consume vitamin C even one day, you'll deny your baby the important nutrient. Another important thing prescribed by doctors is folic acid. It is important in preventing birth defects and is important for the brain.

Protein

Protein plays one of the most important roles in developing your baby. The growth of your baby depends mostly on the protein intake. For the proper development of cells in your baby, include protein in your diet. Protein deficiency can cause serious defects in your child so please balance your diet with proper nutrients.

Calcium

Another important nutrient is calcium. Calcium is important for bones and teeth development of the baby. Thus calcium tablets are a must for expecting mothers.

Thus the health and life of your baby is in your hands. You are the one who is responsible for its well-being and good health. You wouldn't want your baby to be weak and deformed as soon as he comes into this world, would you? Remember that your baby eats what you eat, therefore, if you fast, your baby fasts with you. Imagine how awful it would be for a fetus to fast when he still needs all those nutrients to develop its cells, muscles, bones, hair, teeth and skin. If you are not concerned about your health, you should now be more concerned about your baby's health because you have in your womb a life and it depends upon you for its survival and health. Thus it is best if you stop fasting for those 9 months and eat as much nutritious food as you can.