Need help with research re: Ramadan and pregnancy

Nurses General Nursing

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I am taking a research class and would like to look into a topic related to pregnancy and the impact of fasting during Ramadan by Muslim women. Is anyone aware of interventions related to this issue that have been evaluated?

Please note that I am aware that many Muslims believe that pregnant women are exempt from fasting during Ramadan. But not all do, and I've found a lot of research on this topic. I live in an area with a lot of Somali women, and nurses at my hospital tell me that many of them do fast from sunrise to sundown while pregnant.

I've been able to find a lot of basic research, but nothing applied. Any suggestions would help.

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Ziaee, V., Kihanidoost, Z., Younesian, M., Akhavirad, M., Bateni, F., Kazemianfar, Z., et al. (2010). The effect of Ramadan fasting on outcome of pregnancy. Iranian Journal of Pediatrics, 20(2), 181-186. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

Go to your school's online library and search Medline and CINAHL with full text. Do the advanced search and enter Ramadan on one line and pregnancy on the next. You'll get a decent number of very specific hits.

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Specializes in ER.

it's personal choice, i did not fast when i was pregnant...i do see women come in to the ED come in because they are fasting and pregnant and not feeling good or passed out...you should not fast if it will harm you or the baby....some women go to the extremes of not even wanting an IV...

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Your school's library should have a lot of search options available to you. The librarian can assist you in completing an effective search to find relevant articles.

You will, sadly, have to do the work yourself.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, CCU, ICU.

I cannot help you with references related to your topic. On a personal note, I was talking with a co-worker who is fasting for Ramadan. I asked him if people with medical conditions are also required to fast. He told me they're exempt. I asked if the same held true for pregnant women. He told me pregnant women are not required to fast. However, after delivering the baby, they should fast for the same amount of time Ramadan had lasted for. So of course, curious minds wonder...what about breastfeeding mothers? It is equally important to increase caloric intake during breastfeeding as well as throughout pregnancy. Although I did not ask him about the latter, it certainly makes me wonder what most Muslim women do. Fast through pregnancy or fast postpartum while breastfeeding? Sorry, I know I'm probably not much help. But this topic did come up in recent convo. for me. Anyways...good luck! I think you chose a very interesting topic for your research.

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Specializes in Tele.

Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, women during their menstrution

,postpartum women are exempt from fasting during Ramadan. Some women fast while they are pregnant or breasfeeding. I think nobody fast during postpartum and menstruation. good luck to you.

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Specializes in ER.
Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, women during their menstrution

,postpartum women are exempt from fasting during Ramadan. Some women fast while they are pregnant or breasfeeding. I think nobody fast during postpartum and menstruation. good luck to you.

This is correct, a woman can not fast during menstruation and postpartum...should not fast while breastfeeding, but i know my friend does, during this time she supplements with formula due to decrease in her milk supply.

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Specializes in MedSurge/Tele/Observation.

I am Muslim I didn't fast during my pregnancy, postpartum, or during breastfeeding. In Islam, you are not required to fast if you are ill or pregnant or breastfeeding, during a woman's menstrual cycle, or if fasting will cause you harm. Some Muslims, however, decide to fast anyway, even diabetics, or those with heart problems. I have Muslim friends and acquaintences who do so, and frankly they have not had any consequences from doing so. Yet, I am sure there are some out there who do. FYI, those who fast even though they are not required to do so b/c of medical conditions, do it as a form of faith. To them, whatever suffering they endure as a result of their fasting, even dying, purifies them. I know it's hard to understand if you are not from that background, but it's a matter of religion. I on the other hand, don't agree with such actions because if we are excused in certain circumstances it's for a reason. I know this information is not literary research but I hope it helps you a little.

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Ziaee, V., Kihanidoost, Z., Younesian, M., Akhavirad, M., Bateni, F., Kazemianfar, Z., et al. (2010). The effect of Ramadan fasting on outcome of pregnancy. Iranian Journal of Pediatrics, 20(2), 181-186. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

Go to your school's online library and search Medline and CINAHL with full text. Do the advanced search and enter Ramadan on one line and pregnancy on the next. You'll get a decent number of very specific hits.

Thanks. I did search Medline, CINAHL and Cochrane prior to posting here, and I did find quite a bit of research, including the article referenced above. The issue I'm encountering is that the research I've found is basic, not applied. I am looking for an intervention that has been measured quantitatively.

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Your school's library should have a lot of search options available to you. The librarian can assist you in completing an effective search to find relevant articles.

You will, sadly, have to do the work yourself.

As noted in the OP, I have already unearthed a considerable amount of research. What I'm looking for is quantitative. Everything I've found is qualitative.

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