Fasting in Pregnancy - should you or shouldn't you?

Hi everyone... We are celebrating Hartalika Teej on 1st of September, some people would be celebrating it on 2nd though. It's a very big thing for married ladies especially in northern part of India, where married women observe fast for the entire day, without taking food or water, deck up in all bridal attire, to pray for the long life and safety of their husbands.

Women enjoy this day, as they get a chance to rekindle their wedding memories all over again.
BUT

There is another group of ladies too, who are pregnant and would be celebrating Teej. There comes the question... Should they fast too?

Ideally, the answer is NO. You shouldn't fast when you are pregnant. You aren't alone. The baby needs nutrition. Why to make baby suffer for your sake? Or why should baby forcefully fast because you have decided to?

In some families, Teej is taken very seriously, including mine. Once we start Teej after getting married, we must fast without fail, year after year. Pray for husband's long life, and break the fast next morning only.

This year, however, I'm pregnant, and currently in third trimester. Since in our family, once we start with Teej, we can't, rather shouldn't stop as it's considered inauspicious.

If we stop midway, and don't celebrate Teej any year, we can't celebrate it till some rules are followed, usually till some other auspicious occasion. (I'm not exactly aware about what needs to be done if we miss it any year)
So long story short, doesn't matter if you are sick, or menstruating, or something else, you need to do it. Pregnant ladies, I'm sure would be getting some leverage in this, but again, I'm not sure, since I've never seen any Pregnant lady not fasting, atleast in my family.

The question arises, is it really that important?

No offence to the beliefs and values, but when has God said that I'll only bless your husband with a long life if you stay hungry?


I understand, in many families it's a norm. More of a rule, where women don't have a say in this, and are forced to do so. Or, some ladies, despite being pregnant, willingly do this, Because they fear the consequences.

"What follows if I don't?"

They don't understand that they are making the baby suffer in this ordeal. If you are pregnant, or breastfeeding, according to me, you should think about not just your husband, but about those tiny pair of eyes too, who look or would be looking upto you for everything under the sun. It's not just about you anymore.

I've seen many women toiling hard, between family, kids, house chores, and still fasting. I've seen Pregnant women not being allowed to even drink water for entire day. It's becoming less now, but it still happens.

I'll tell you what I am doing, because I can't not celebrate Teej, and won't be fasting this year.

⭐ I'll be having fruits, and all falahaar items allowed in fast like sabudana, aloo, kuttu/singhade ka atta, milk, curd, lots of fluids etc for the day.

⭐ I'll be substituting regular salt for rock salt that is allowed in fast, since my BP remains low most of the time, and omitting salt completely would get my BP low.

⭐ Keeping in mind that we shouldn't gobble up things when we are fasting, still I'll make it a point to have something every few hours, and atleast 4 litres of water.

⭐ Making Prasad is an important part of this, where few things are made especially for this occasion like gujiya, different types of sweets and namkeen etc. Since, I'll be alone with no one to help, along with a hyperactive toddler, I'll make only whatever I'm able to. I won't be pushing myself too much to do something that my body doesn't allow me to. As they say, feelings should be pure.

⭐ Instead of decking myself up in heavily bridal attire, I'll go for something that's traditional yet comfy. I can't fit into my petticoats anymore, so no point in wearing that heavy saree, which takes forever to drape and I get exhausted too soon these days.

⭐ Rest all the things stay as it is.. decking up like a bride, doing the Pooja with all rituals, and following whatever I can, willingly.

Many of you would ask me though, why at all celebrating Teej if I can't follow everything that needs to be done? Or when I'm bashing away people who do this?

Well, I'm neither bashing anyone, or doing anything out of fear.

I'm doing this because I want to. Willingly.

Whatever connects me with the love of my life will be a special occasion for me, and I wouldn't give it up for anything else.

At the same time, I believe that rules and rituals, should be followed till they can be without any hindrances or second thoughts. If problems or forcible following of rituals come into the scene, it's not auspicious anymore... It becomes more of a compulsion. And when compulsion comes in between, no point in doing anything if it's done half heartedly.

Ladies, what are your views on this? Let me know what do you think. I would love to hear from all of you.

Till we meet again 😊
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