Joshua Bennett
Many religions include fasting in their practices, and most have rules to ensure safe fasting during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The Catholic Church is clear that pregnant and breastfeeding women are exempt from fasting and abstinence. This is to honour the work and sacrifices made by women during these times, and because pregnancy and breastfeeding are periods that require extra nourishment and care. The Church cares about the health of its followers and does not want them to jeopardize their health by fasting.
Characteristics of how pregnant women observe Catholic fast
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fasting and abstinence during Lent | Not required for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers |
| Bishops' recommendation | Pregnant and nursing women are exempt from traditional fasting and abstinence requirements |
| Church's view | Pregnancy and breastfeeding require extra nourishment and care |
| Medical opinion | Research on fasting during pregnancy is inconclusive and should be avoided |
| Advice | Seek advice from a healthcare professional or religious authority |
| Catholic tradition | "Giving something up" for Lent is a pious tradition but not regulated by church law |
| Fasting rules | Fasting consists of eating one meal and two smaller snacks that do not add up to a full meal |
| Exemption | Pregnant women are excused from fasting and abstinence by the Church |
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What You'll Learn
Pregnant women are exempt from fasting during Lent
The Church is clear that pregnant women are not required to fast or abstain from certain foods during Lent. This is supported by Canon Law, which states that "those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill". The USCCB, the United States bishops, and the Catholic Church in Australia all affirm that pregnant women are exempt from fasting and abstinence during Lent.
The Church recognises that pregnancy is a sacred and holy time, and that fasting may jeopardise the health of both the mother and the baby. The nutritional needs of pregnant women are higher, and the Church does not want to pretend otherwise or encourage women to "muscle through" at the expense of their health. The Church cares about the health of its members and gives exemptions from fasting for a reason.
While the Catholic Church does not require pregnant women to fast during Lent, some women may choose to do so if they feel physically able. It is important to note that there is inconclusive research on the effects of fasting during pregnancy, and it is generally discouraged by doctors due to safety concerns. If a pregnant woman intends to fast, it is recommended that she seek advice from a trusted healthcare professional and her religious authority.
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The Church recognises the work of pregnancy and breastfeeding
The Church upholds that the time of pregnancy and breastfeeding is sacred and holy. Dispensing women from the penances of fasting and abstinence honours that work, and the sacrifices that are already happening to lay down one's life and body for another. God also designed pregnancy and breastfeeding as a time that requires extra nourishment and care. Our caloric and nutritional needs are higher during these periods, and it does not sanctify us or the Church to pretend that isn't so or to "muscle through" at the expense of our health or that of our babies.
The Church cares about your health and wants you to prioritise it. There is no health stamp that can be assigned to any diet during pregnancy because most diets are unethical to perform on pregnant women. While fasting for a day while breastfeeding shouldn’t affect your milk supply, it’s possible that it affects the nutritional value of the breastmilk. A study of mothers fasting during Ramadan found that “although infant growth and macronutrient content of breastmilk was not affected, levels of several nutrients in breastmilk (zinc, magnesium and potassium) decreased and the nutritional status of the breastfeeding mothers was affected”.
If you are concerned about your ability to fast while pregnant or breastfeeding, seek advice from a trusted healthcare professional (such as your doctor, midwife or lactation professional). It’s also a good idea to check with them if there are any situations (such as feeling unwell) when you should break your fast. You can also seek advice from your religious authority.
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Pregnant women should prioritise their health
Pregnancy is a time when women need extra nourishment and care. Their caloric and nutritional needs are higher, and fasting can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. For this reason, pregnant women are exempt from fasting in many religions, including Catholicism.
In Catholicism, fasting and abstinence during Lent are not required for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This is in recognition of the work of pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the sacrifices that come with it. The Church cares about the health of its followers and wants them to prioritise it. The USCCB states that "common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting".
The Catholic tradition of "giving something up" for Lent is a pious tradition, but it is not regulated by church law. The Church asks everyone over the age of 18 to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent, and those between the ages of 18 and 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women are excused from both the fast and abstinence.
If a pregnant woman is unsure about whether or not to fast, she should seek advice from a trusted healthcare professional, such as her doctor, midwife, or lactation professional. She can also seek advice from her religious authority, such as a priest or a religious leader. Ultimately, the decision to fast or not should be made with the priority being the health of the mother and baby.
In addition to pregnant and breastfeeding women, those who are physically or mentally ill, including those with chronic illnesses, are also excused from fasting and abstinence. This is because fasting may further jeopardize their health.
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Religious fasting rules during pregnancy vary by sect
In the United States, the bishops have stated that "those that are excused from fast and abstinence outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill, including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women. In all cases, common sense should prevail, and ill persons should not further jeopardize their health by fasting." Similar dispensations are likely to be in place in other countries.
In Judaism, there are several major and minor fasting days throughout the year. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are exempt from fasting on the four less strict fast days. On the two more stringent fast days, Yom Kippur and Tisha Bav, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and are healthy can consider fasting, but it is recommended that they seek advice from a healthcare professional first.
Muslim women who are pregnant or breastfeeding during the month of Ramadan are also exempt from fasting, but they may choose to fast if they feel healthy.
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Pregnant women can observe non-fasting penance
Pregnant women are exempt from fasting and abstinence during Lent. This is a way for the Church to honour and recognise the work of pregnancy, as well as the sacrifices that are already being made by the mother for her child.
Pregnancy is a time that requires extra nourishment and care, and fasting could be detrimental to the health of both the mother and the baby. Doctors do not recommend fasting during pregnancy as there is no research to prove that it is safe.
If you are concerned about your ability to fast while pregnant, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional, such as your doctor, midwife, or lactation professional. You can also seek advice from your religious authority.
Instead of fasting, pregnant women can observe non-fasting penance. This can include participating in daily Mass, spiritual studies, and traditional Lenten devotions such as sermons, Stations of the Cross, and the rosary. These practices emphasise the communal nature of repentance and allow pregnant women to still participate in the Lenten season without putting their health or their baby's health at risk.
Additionally, the Church recommends "giving something up" for Lent, which can be a form of penance that does not involve fasting. This could include giving up a luxury or a certain food of your choice.
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Frequently asked questions
No, pregnant women are exempt from fasting and abstinence during Lent. The Church acknowledges the work and sacrifices made by pregnant women and the need for extra nourishment during this time.
The Church is clear that pregnant women are excused from fasting. If a woman feels conflicted, she should remember that the Church cares about her health and gives exemptions for a reason. It is recommended that she seeks advice from a healthcare professional or religious authority.
The requirements to fast during pregnancy vary depending on the religious sect and an individual's health. In Judaism, pregnant women are exempt from fasting on the four less strict fast days, but may consider fasting on the two more stringent fast days if they are healthy. During Ramadan, pregnant Muslim women are exempt from fasting but may choose to if they feel healthy.
Breastfeeding women are also exempt from fasting and abstinence during Lent.
