Question about fasting and exemptions

[traceria]

I hope this is in the right place on the forum. Also, I apologize if this post contains TMI.

I finally signed up here because I have a question. With it being almost lunch time on Ash Wednesday, I guess I’m really in need of a good answer!

I know that pregnant women are not required to fast; however, I’m at a point where I’m unsure if I am pregnant but might be. What do I do?!

There’s no way to tell right now for sure because it is too early to test, but I hesitate to rob my body of important nutrients that may be necessary for a developing child even if it’s impossible to know one way or the other.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[MacQ]

I hope this is in the right place on the forum. Also, I apologize if this post contains TMI.

I finally signed up here because I have a question. With it being almost lunch time on Ash Wednesday, I guess I’m really in need of a good answer!

I know that pregnant women are not required to fast; however, I’m at a point where I’m unsure if I am pregnant but might be. What do I do?!

There’s no way to tell right now for sure because it is too early to test, but I hesitate to rob my body of important nutrients that may be necessary for a developing child even if it’s impossible to know one way or the other.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Nourish your body and that of your possible infant. That is a legitimate health concern, and you are doing it in good conscience.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

A fast day consists of one full meal and two smaller meals which add up to less than one full meal. It doesn’t seem that strict. However, if you believe that you might be pregnant, feel free to eat a little more. Human life always takes precedence over fasting.

 

[malphono]

Unless the OP is referring to other than the Latin Church, I really don’t see that there’s much of a problem. The current regulations are very lenient: fasting comprises a total of two days, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence from meat applies on all Fridays of Lent.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

.
For people with health concerns and (medical) dietary restrictions, there are other ways to fast besides not eating.

Eat simple meals: Something basic. Preferably not one of your favorites - or even eat something you don’t care for.

Don’t listen to the radio or watch TV.

Stay off the internet.

Avoid phone conversations apart from those which are absolutely necessary.

Start and complete an unpleasant chore either at home or at work.

Self denial comes in many forms. For those who are medically unable to go without food, there are other things to give up.

 

[traceria]

Thank you all for your replies. I have decided to take a middle route. I don’t want follow the fast strictly because I know from past fasting experience that I get very lightheaded, and somehow I don’t think this would be helpful if I am in fact pregnant. So, I’m just cutting back on the portion size and content of my meals today in order to so something in spirit if not in complete line with the letter.

 

[PJM]

=traceria;11770546]I hope this is in the right place on the forum. Also, I apologize if this post contains TMI.

I finally signed up here because I have a question. With it being almost lunch time on Ash Wednesday, I guess I’m really in need of a good answer!

I know that pregnant women are not required to fast; however, I’m at a point where I’m unsure if I am pregnant but might be. What do I do?!

There’s no way to tell right now for sure because it is too early to test, but I hesitate to rob my body of important nutrients that may be necessary for a developing child even if it’s impossible to know one way or the other.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

EAT! But nor meat today and on Lenten Fridays.

Lent is not about endangering our physical heath, Even as a possibility. IT"S ABOUT improving our Spiritual health

Congratulations on the PG.

God Bless you,
Patrick

 

[tawny]

Nourish your body and that of your possible infant. That is a legitimate health concern, and you are doing it in good conscience.

Agree.

 

[Ophelia23]

Nourish your body. Care for your infant if you have the slightest hunch you could be pregnant. Sacrifice can come in many forms, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your health or the health of the helpless.

It took me a while to become comfortable with this. I went through Lent during both of my pregnancies and always felt a little like I was taking a cop-out by eating when I got hungry. But I had to really remind myself that all of my nourishment was being shared by this helpless little baby who relied on me for absolutely everything. Even now, I am a nursing mother and I am unable to fully partake in the fast. If I so much as eliminate one meal, my production decreases significantly. We learn how to give in another way to our Lord.

 

[mommamaree]

Pregnant/nursing mothers are exempt from both fasting and abstinence requirements. If you suspect you are pregnant, you should not fast or abstain. You can do something else. I have given up all sweets for Lent, and today I gave up coffee, too. But since I am pregnant and nursing, I am neither fasting nor abstaining. In fact, I have been craving meat today, so I am so thankful for my exemption.

 

[Ophelia23]

Pregnant/nursing mothers are exempt from both fasting and abstinence requirements. If you suspect you are pregnant, you should not fast or abstain. You can do something else. I have given up all sweets for Lent, and today I gave up coffee, too. But since I am pregnant and nursing, I am neither fasting nor abstaining. In fact, I have been craving meat today, so I am so thankful for my exemption.

Good call on the coffee sacrifice!! I’m desperately drinking a cup as I write this, hoping to get a quick boost of energy for this sleep-deprived mama. Now I’m thinking I should put the cup down, walk away, and offer it up.

 

[Joannm]

Pregnant/nursing mothers are exempt from both fasting and abstinence requirements. If you suspect you are pregnant, you should not fast or abstain. You can do something else. I have given up all sweets for Lent, and today I gave up coffee, too. But since I am pregnant and nursing, I am neither fasting nor abstaining. In fact, I have been craving meat today, so I am so thankful for my exemption.

I don’t see why a healthy but pregnant or nursing mother can’t abstain from meat. I did throughot all my pregnancies and years of nursing. It is one day out of the week. Protien can come from many other sources some of which have better health benifits than a piece of meat. Not giving into cravings can be a good penance. I am not saying you should fast, but just rethink not abstaining from meat.

 

[thistle]

.
For people with health concerns and (medical) dietary restrictions, there are other ways to fast besides not eating.

Eat simple meals: Something basic. Preferably not one of your favorites - or even eat something you don’t care for.

**Don’t listen to the radio or watch TV.

Stay off the internet.

Avoid phone conversations apart from those which are absolutely necessary.
**
Start and complete an unpleasant chore either at home or at work.

Self denial comes in many forms. For those who are medically unable to go without food, there are other things to give up.

I see what you are saying but those are more abstaining than fasting. Fasting and abstaining are different things. The OP is asking about fasting only.

 

[Elizium23]

I see what you are saying but those are more abstaining than fasting. Fasting and abstaining are different things. The OP is asking about fasting only.

In the Eastern Churches it is traditional to refer to both fast and abstinence as “fasting”.

 

[mommamaree]

I don’t see why a healthy but pregnant or nursing mother can’t abstain from meat. I did throughot all my pregnancies and years of nursing. It is one day out of the week. Protien can come from many other sources some of which have better health benifits than a piece of meat. Not giving into cravings can be a good penance. I am not saying you should fast, but just rethink not abstaining from meat.

Your opinion and your experience is not the same for everyone. The Church has specifically given us this exemption, as well as other people with special health or dietary needs. I will not rethink my choices simply because a forum poster thinks I should or could do more. I will instead listen to the Church, accept with gratitude those exemptions extended when I need to avail myself of them. Furthermore, I am pregnant AND nursing, which means my personal needs are greater. I regularly abstain from meat every Friday throughout the entire year, unless my needs for nourishment rule it out on a particular week, when I then substitute an alternate penance. Today, however, I needed meat, and peanut butter and eggs were not helping. Also, in case you didn’t know, pregnant women often crave meat for the heme iron, which is only found in meat (or fish). It is not only about protein. It is good that you were able to abstain from meat without exception, but not everyone can, and it is not a good idea to suggest they should be able to do exactly what you did. One’s own piety is not appropriate for everyone. That is precisely why the Church clearly offers exemptions from rules such as fasting, abstaining, and Mass obligation.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

I see what you are saying but those are more abstaining than fasting. Fasting and abstaining are different things. The OP is asking about fasting only.

Thanks. I understand that. But some people are not able to fast due to valid health reasons. Those who are unable to fast can compensate by increasing the practice of abstinence. At least this is how my old pastor explained it to us years ago.

I’m an insulin-dependent diabetic. Today I tried to do fast more than was advisable and had a severe low blood sugar episode late in the afternoon. That could be dangerous or even fatal. Worse yet, it happened on the freeway as I was driving home from work. There I was, in rush hour traffic, driving with one eye shut to avoid seeing double. Fortunately I had glucose tablets and was able to remedy the situation. So fasting is not possible for me and many others due to health concerns. Therefore, abstinence must be increased. That’s how I even the balance. Is there a problem with this?

 

[thistle]

Thanks. I understand that. But some people are not able to fast due to valid health reasons. Those who are unable to fast can compensate by increasing the practice of abstinence. At least this is how my old pastor explained it to us years ago.

I’m an insulin-dependent diabetic. Today I tried to do fast more than was advisable and had a severe low blood sugar episode late in the afternoon. That could be dangerous or even fatal. Worse yet, it happened on the freeway as I was driving home from work. There I was, in rush hour traffic, driving with one eye shut to avoid seeing double. Fortunately I had glucose tablets and was able to remedy the situation. So fasting is not possible for me and many others due to health concerns. Therefore, abstinence must be increased. That’s how I even the balance. Is there a problem with this?

I understand that if a person is not able to do fasting then they may want to do another form of penance. This of course is voluntary. You are not required to substitute something else.

 

[traceria]

OP here.

I’d just like to say thank you to all of you for chiming in. It was really helpful to me to come to terms with the decision to not fast/embrace the exemption. I did abstain from eating meat but still ate meals, albeit slightly smaller ones. My husband had a less difficult time accepting my exemption than I did myself, so I’m grateful for your feedback, discussion and encouragement.

Now we’re just praying for the miracle of life.

 

[CatholicRaven]

OP here.

I’d just like to say thank you to all of you for chiming in. It was really helpful to me to come to terms with the decision to not fast/embrace the exemption. I did abstain from eating meat but still ate meals, albeit slightly smaller ones. My husband had a less difficult time accepting my exemption than I did myself, so I’m grateful for your feedback, discussion and encouragement.

Now we’re just praying for the miracle of life.

Husbands can be wiser than us wives sometimes, especially when it comes to how much we require of ourselves.

Shortly before Lent began, I opined to my husband that I felt a little guilty that I am not required to fast or abstain, since I’m pregnant. He said, “Well, wouldn’t requiring you to fast when you’re pregnant also mean requiring our unborn child to fast? And they don’t require children under age 14 to fast, so… it makes sense to me.”

I felt better about it after that.

 

[mommamaree]

OP here.

I’d just like to say thank you to all of you for chiming in. It was really helpful to me to come to terms with the decision to not fast/embrace the exemption. I did abstain from eating meat but still ate meals, albeit slightly smaller ones. My husband had a less difficult time accepting my exemption than I did myself, so I’m grateful for your feedback, discussion and encouragement.

Now we’re just praying for the miracle of life.

Oh, I will pray for just such a miracle! I found out I was pregnant just prior to Lent this year, and it “messed up” all my ambitious plans for observing Lent. This has helped me realize that my little sacrifices that I make out of love and with humility (like no sweets for Lent) is far better than my self-serving rigorous fast. I have never experienced Lent without being pregnant or nursing or both, so I had some big plans this year. God had other plans, it would seem! I hope you will find out some exciting news soon! If you do find out you are expecting, come and join the Pregnant Mamas thread in the Parenting Forum here at CAF.