Fasting and pregnant

[awfulthings9]

Correct me if I’m wrong.

My wife asked about how strictly she had to observe the fast since she is pregnant. As a child, her family always avoided snacks between meals on *every *day of Lent (not just Fridays). I told her that this wasn’t required - it must have been a personal choice within her family. We can chose to avoid snacking between meals as our personal penance, but the Church doesn’t prescribe it except on Ash Wednesday and Fridays.

However, on Fridays and Ash Wednesday, I told her that the Church’s teaching would probably be that she can eat as much as needed to maintain her strength and health, but that the baby’s health wouldn’t be put in danger by following the fasting guidelines on Friday. Any thoughts on this? I don’t believe pregnancy exempts one from fasting. Correct?

 

[puzzleannie]

duplicate thread, just answered this. she should ask her doctor if she can fast. If he says no, she has no obligation.

 

[trogiah]

I am absolutely certain that any real health concern, for the mother or child or anyone else, would exempt a person from the fasting regulation. I don’t really know anything about whether a day of fasting would have any chance of harming an unborn baby. A doctor’s opinion would seem a reasonable thing to seek out and followed regardless of what ordinance there may be on fasting.

Fasting can mean many different things. Giving up something else, a favorite TV show, a particular dessert, can also be legitimate ways of offering sacrifices.

peace

Jim

 

[awfulthings9]

trogiah:

I am absolutely certain that any real health concern, for the mother or child or anyone else, would exempt a person from the fasting regulation. I don’t really know anything about whether a day of fasting would have any chance of harming an unborn baby. A doctor’s opinion would seem a reasonable thing to seek out and followed regardless of what ordinance there may be on fasting.

Fasting can mean many different things. Giving up something else, a favorite TV show, a particular dessert, can also be legitimate ways of offering sacrifices.

peace

Jim

It can’t unfortunately, mean many different things as far as Lent goes. The rules for fasting are spelled out pretty clearly for Friday’s. One full meatless meal. Two additional meals if necessary, but only big enough to sustain strength, though they can’t add to be a complete meal themselves. No snacks. Unfortunately, we don’t have flexibility there. However, I take it that your point was that, if her doctor suggests she not fast, these would be good replacements.

However, I apologize for duplicating a thread. She has a doctor’s appointment soon and I’ll suggest she ask.

 

[Libero]

I would strongly enocurage your wife not to fast at all during pregnancy - even the opposite if the mood hits. God will most definietely understand!!!

 

[kleary]

Someone who is pregnant (my wife is too by the way) does not have to observe the laws of fast and abstinence during Lent. Neither does my grandmother who is 85 or my step father who is diabetic.

Ken

 

[rwoehmke]

Being 70 and a diabetic I wouldn’t be fasting on either Ash Wednesday or Good Friday, but what is this business with fasting on all the Fridays of lent? Does that change from diocese to diocese? The published rules I have seen indicate abstinence from meat on all the Fridays of lent with fasting only on Good Friday. Also it used to be abstinence from meat and meat products, but I understand the rules no longer forbid things like broth or pork and beans where the presence of meat is negligible.

Being 70 sometimes when the arthritus and such kick in life alone is a penance. We oldsters could do a lot of good to combine our frailities to the sacrifice of Jesus instead of moaning about them. Smile my friends life is a miracle.

 

[awfulthings9]

rwoehmke:

Being 70 and a diabetic I wouldn’t be fasting on either Ash Wednesday or Good Friday, but what is this business with fasting on all the Fridays of lent? Does that change from diocese to diocese? The published rules I have seen indicate abstinence from meat on all the Fridays of lent with fasting only on Good Friday. Also it used to be abstinence from meat and meat products, but I understand the rules no longer forbid things like broth or pork and beans where the presence of meat is negligible.

Being 70 sometimes when the arthritus and such kick in life alone is a penance. We oldsters could do a lot of good to combine our frailities to the sacrifice of Jesus instead of moaning about them. Smile my friends life is a miracle.

Actually, I believe you’re correct that fasting is only required on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday (while abstinence from meat is required all Fridays. I wrote in haste. Take care.

 

[Lorarose]

Your wife is not obligated to fast.
There are also other medical conditions that exempt people from the fasting requirement.

But there is a spirit to lent that can still be fulfilled.
A person who cannot follow the guidelines of fasting can still give up something as a sacrifice - television - sweets - some sort of bad habit (too much computer time! )