Indian women, by tradition, have a tendency to fast during occasions of Shivratri, Karwachauth etc. which is possible to coincide with the time of pregnancy. Therefore, the first question that comes to the mind of people is whether it is safe to fast during pregnancy.
According to the research of eminent doctors, there is no clear answer to this. It is observed that mothers who had fasted during their gestation period have developed some complications during the latter part of their pregnancy, for instance, giving birth to less-weighted babies. This is mainly because of insufficient nutrients. Moreover, fasting can also elevate the cortisol hormone level that can result in cognitive impairment of the fetus.
Try to drink a lot of water or juice if you decide to fast. An empty stomach cannot be good for the baby. Coconut water and milk are good sources of nutrients. Make sure you avoid foods with high sugar content. Avoid caffeinated drinks. Last but not the least, avoid stressful activities.
