Is it okay to break the fast when pregnant?

[hasikelee]

I went to the Easter vigil Mass last night. It started at 9 and ended at 12:30. After 10, I was so weak and shaky I spent the rest of the Mass sitting down.

I find myself surprised at how much I need food and drink. If I don’t have a handful of saltines with me, I become this glob of confused, shaking, sick womanness.

Anyways, at Mass last night it got to the point where I was trying to figure out how to get out of Mass to get food, but I was so indisposed I couldn’t stand up, let alone drive.

Then I started thinking about Mass today, and wondering if I could eat something before going to Mass. This would break the 1hr fast. Is that allowed, or even a good thing to do? Should I just stay home from Mass until this sick period passes (knock on wood I don’t have it the entire pregnancy!)

 

[MarieVeronica]

Those who are unable to fast… for reasons of health… aren’t obligated. I would certainly think, that pregnancy would fall into this catagory… because you are providing nourishment for your unborn little one, who is too young to fast. God bless and Happy Easter.

 

[Brenda_V]

Those who are unable to fast… for reasons of health… aren’t obligated. I would certainly think, that pregnancy would fall into this catagory… because you are providing nourishment for your unborn little one, who is too young to fast. God bless and Happy Easter.

This is true. Hasikelee you went to Vigil Mass so you really don’t need to go today - you have met your obligation so if you end up not going (you have probably already made this choice for today) you don’t need to worry about it.

One of my pregnancies the only time I left the house for an entire month was to visit the Dr. I was that sick - motion, my moving, could cause me to vomit and I did not relish that idea during Mass! I was excused from the obligation because of this.

Now you have figured this out, start carrying a purse large enough to keep a sleeve of saltines in it (stick them in a ziploc bag so they don’t end up crumbing all over the bottom of your purse) but do that - at the Vigil you might have been able to unobstrusively suck on some hard candies which I don’t recommend doing too often but this might have been enough sugar to keep your blood sugar up to get through the Mass without feeling faint and then eating something as soon as you got to your car (a bottle of juice and some crackers - peanut butter and cheese cracker packets are great if you are not allergic to pb or wheat!)

You are more than welcome to ask more questions about how to deal with “morning sickness” if you want to PM me, or start a thread in the Parenting forum (best 'cuz you will get the advise from all the moms who have been there done that).

Brenda V.

 

[AHapka]

You are specifically excused from the fast when you have medical reasons. Pregnancy is one.

If you are not sure or have any doubts, consult with your Priest.

 

[hasikelee]

MarieVeronica, what a cute way to put it! Thanks, everyone, for your (name removed by moderator)ut. And Brenda, what a good idea! I better start stocking food up everywhere, lol.

 

[puzzleannie]

there is no mandatory fast for Holy Saturday in the Latin rite, so you were not obligated to fast at all, except for the communion fast. The EAster Vigil is so long even if you ate right before Mass began you should have been fine. In any case, pregnant woman are not and never were bound by fasting regulations.