{UAH} Abbey/Ms Rehema and others help if you can

Abbey/Ms. Rehema and others:

 

We are trying to undertake a study on the economics of religion. So I need help from you to clarify a few things about Islamic teachings on Ramadan/fasting.

 

 

1. what does Islam teach about motherhood and fasting?  Can pregnant mothers fast or are they exempt? 

    

2. Is there a cut off period when expectant mothers are exempt from fasting? If so when is it?

    

    

3. What about women who are trying to become pregnant and may not know immediately they are pregnant? Are women trying to get pregnant advised to abstain from fasting?

    

    

D) Are women discouraged from trying to become pregnant during Ramadan? Put differently what is encouraged and discouraged during Ramadan with respect to pregnancy? Use your judgment to infer what I am trying to refer to here.  

 

 

Now let me explain why I need your help. Studies show that children whose mothers fasted during pregnancy had lower birth weight, and may score lower on cognitive tests.  Thus, fasting during motherhood should be discouraged.    Studies also show that fasting during pregnancy may lead to some learning disabilities especially IF the first month of pregnancy coincided with Ramadan fasting month.

 

 

 

We are trying to isolate the impact of reduced nutrition. We hope to compare children whose births overlapped with fasting with those whose births did not.

 

 

 The study is intended to cover several countries including those in East Africa.  You can send your clarification here or privately to me.

 

Thank you in advance.

WBK