Dubai: Pregnant women are being urged not to fast, especially during the first three months of pregnancy.
Medical experts said babies need more nutrients at this time, which are essential for growth.
Religious injunctions ban the elderly, the ill, women who are pregnant or who are nursing a baby, and children, from fasting during Ramadan.
But Dr Haleema Mohammad, a gynaecologist at Aster Clinic, said many pregnant women wished to fast despite the injunction.
"It's not advisable, but if they do fast, they should be very careful," Dr Mohammad said.
She advised that pregnant women should break their fast if they felt tired.
"Women who do not drink enough water could get urinary infections," she said. Morning sickness was at its worst during the first three months of the pregnancy.
Dr Haleema said pregnant women should eat food which was easily digestible, avoid oily food and drink low-fat milk. She also advised eating dates to avoid constipation.
Distribute food intake
Welcare Hospital dietician Safeek Ali said "Pregnant women will require an additional 300 calories".
Ali said pregnant women who insisted on fasting should distribute their food intake properly at sohour, iftar and dinner.
During Ramadan Muslims eat a small meal before dawn, fast during the daylight hours, break their fast at the time of evening prayer, then eat dinner.
The dietician said pregnant women should increase their intake of iron, found in meat, lentils and dried fruit, and also folic acid, found in cereals and green vegetables. He said they should rehydrate properly and that drinking clear soup helped.
Women with raised blood pressure, severe sickness while pregnant, dizziness, a splitting headache, blurred vision or felt a slowing down of the baby's movements, should break their fast and consult a doctor.
