Pregnant during Lent - advice from other moms wanted!

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Right now I’m about 5 and half weeks pregnant - too early to tell others due to risk of miscarriage, so only my husband and my doctor’s office (and a lady behind me in line at the doctor’s office who overheard me and congratulated me) know. I don’t want to tell my family as if I have a miscarriage I don’t really want to share that with them (I’m a pretty private person in terms of my emotions), so I can’t ask them for advice. It’s my first pregnancy as well, so I don’t have any experience 🙂

So, anyway, here’s my line of inquiry. I know that women aren’t bound to fasting rules, but what about Fridays? Is it okay to eat meat, because it’s recommended that I eat a lot of protein. I also have a physically demanding job (but it was cleared by my OBGYN to continue, at least for now) and I work up a serious appetite even when I am not pregnant. My workplace provides us with a lunch, but it’s almost invariably meat-based meals. I don’t want to raise a stink yet and risk losing my job for being pregnant (my contract is up for renewal in a month or so and I want to avoid telling them until after that point). If I start bringing a lunch that will be highly suspicious as well, especially combined with my sudden onset fatigue at work (lol I’m just exhausted and hungry all the time).

I’m sorry if I am being a bit rambley - like I said, this is my first time pregnant and I’m really anxious and having a miscarriage so I am prioritizing my physical health right now. I’ve done everything recommended to try to keep the baby safe, but I also know there’s not a lot I can do and it’s still like, 6 weeks at least until I can tell anyone other than anonymous strangers on the internet.

Thanks for reading!
 
Your pastor is able to grant you a dispensation from the abstinence, or to commute it into another suitable penance. That would be my first stop.
 
Any, and mean any, church requirement that may hurt a mother or child’s health is lifted automatically and no longer applies. You may eat whatever your doctor recommends to stay healthy during your pregnancy!
 
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Congratulations! I was almost exactly as far along as you a few years ago during Lent. I did not eat meat on Fridays; there are enough other ways to get protein and I never felt it was necessary, but if my doctor had told me I needed to I would have. Pregnant women should eat according to their needs.

Plus, around 6 weeks or so was when the morning sickness kicked in, and I was almost never hungry anyway. I had to make myself eat for a couple of months. You might find that foods that you normally like nauseate you as time goes on. I love coffee but couldn’t stand it when I was pregnant. You might end up having to bring your own food anyway.
 
Yes it is fine to do what you need to do both because of limited choices at work and the pregnancy.
 
I am pregnant as well. I am not eating meat on Fridays because there are other healthy options to get protein. Eggs, nuts, peanut butter, dairy, beans, fish, many others. I get plenty of protein without eating meat just one day out of the week. 🙂

Edited to add: I don’t think it would be suspicious to bring a lunch. Your explanation would be an honest answer: you don’t eat meat on Fridays during lent, so you pack a meat free lunch.
 
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Congratulations!

I am expecting as well (first time too!), although by now I’m 24 weeks today.

I have read mixed messages regarding pregnancy and abstinence, though the rules regarding fasting (and the exemptions for pregnant and nursing mothers) are pretty clear. I would seek the advice of a priest, perhaps a priest that you don’t know from a neighboring parish or town if you’re not ready to share the news with those who know you.

In my first trimester, I was lucky and didn’t suffer any morning sickness at all (just slight nausea from time to time). I was, however, sooo tired (and I do mostly clerical work…not physically demanding at all). I even felt lightheaded a few times in Mass, requiring me to sit down and/or leave the pew to get a drink of water. First and foremost is always take care of yourself and your unborn child!

May you have a smooth and blessed pregnancy!
 
Definitely consult your priest for a dispensation if that will make you feel better… But really, if you’re pregnant and under a dr’s care, you are to listen to your dr. If he says you’re supposed to eat meat as protein, eat the meat. You’re exempt from fasting from food.

But you might want to fast in other ways (like giving up TV for Lent).
 
Thanks for the advice everyone, I’ve taken it all under consideration.
 
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