8 Healthy Ways to Keep Karva Chauth Fast When Pregnant
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Fasting holds special importance in Indian culture and is widely practised in many religions across India. Karva Chauth fast is mostly celebrated by North Indian women for the long life of their husbands. Where in most fasts eating fruits and nuts and drinking fluids is usually allowed, Karva Chauth fast is an exception because, in this fast, a woman is not allowed to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. If you are a pregnant woman, you could wonder whether keeping Karva Chauth fast may cause harm to you and your baby. Some religious believers exempt a pregnant woman from observing such kinds of religious practices, while others may offer certain leverages. This post will acquaint you with healthy ways to keep Karva Chauth fast during pregnancy.
Tips Pregnant Women Should Follow During Karva Chauth
We suggest you follow some of the below-mentioned tips while observing Karva Chauth in pregnancy first trimester, the second trimester or even while keeping Karva Chauth in the third trimester of pregnancy. Here are the tips that may ensure your and your unborn baby’s safety and well-being:
1. Seek Your Doctor’s Permission
Your doctor knows what is best for you and your unborn baby. This is because every pregnancy is different. Your doctor knows about your health conditions and may be able to guide you on whether or not your body is strong enough to sail through the fasting day without food and water. Also, if you have a high-risk pregnancy, your doctor may advise you against keeping such fasts.
2. Listen to Your Body
Despite eating fruits, drinking liquids, eating nuts etc., sometimes you may feel nauseous, giddy, dizzy, or face other such health complications. It may not be wise to ignore any such symptoms, and you must act promptly and seek medical advice.
3. Keep Yourself Well-hydrated
Dehydration may lead to complications in pregnancy, and you must exercise great caution to abstain from getting dehydrated. If you decide against consuming water, you must include other fluids such as milk, fruit juices or fruits with higher water content (watermelon, melon, etc.) to keep yourself hydrated.
4. Eat Nutritious Meal Before Sunrise
‘Sargi’ or before a sunrise meal, holds a lot of importance in this fast. However, you must make healthier eating choices in pregnancy while observing this fast to cope better. Ensure you include fresh fruits, coconut water, and whole-grain food items to keep your energy levels high. Refrain from consuming high-calorie food items, sweets or caffeinated beverages.
5. Keep Yourself Distracted
It is often not the food, but the thought of eating food may make you crave it. Try to distract yourself by being in the company of family and friends. You may go on a movie date with friends or have a house party at home to kill some time. Keeping yourself engrossed may help you forget about your hunger pangs.
6. Keep Yourself Relaxed and Calm
When you are pregnant, your body works more than usual. If you are fasting and your body is not fuelled sufficiently, you must save your energy. Do not indulge in strenuous activity or become overactive. Stay relaxed and mildly active and preserve your energy, which may help you last through the day. You may listen to some music, read a book or do any such activity where you may not be required to exert or strain yourself physically.
7. Be Ready for the Changes
Sometimes things may not turn up as you planned them, and it is absolutely fine if that happens. The same principle applies here, even after your doctor gives you a head up to go ahead with the fast and you feel that you may not be able to sustain through the day without food and water. You must listen to your body and go ahead and do what your body wants you to do. If you wish to eat, make sure you do. Eat ample fruits, nuts, milk, juices etc. and keep your energy levels high.
It is easier to think about fasting and hunger when you are idle. So, try engaging your mind by doing some less tedious routine work, reading a book, or watching a film. Get a power nap so that you can prepare for the evening’s Karva Chauth ceremony without feeling tired and bloated.
8. Avoid Wearing Heavy Jewellery and Accessories
While one would love wearing heavy jewellery and getting decked up, a little more caution should be taken during pregnancy. You could wear a saree that’s not too heavy. Or wear really light jewellery.
It is easier to think about fasting and hunger when you are idle. So, try engaging your mind by doing some less tedious routine work, reading a book, or watching a film. Get a power nap so that you can prepare for the evening’s Karva Chauth ceremony without feeling tired and bloated.
Disclaimer: It is essential to understand that you must not follow all religious practices blindly and without paying heed to your health. Pregnancy is a crucial time, and your baby holds the utmost priority. Therefore, if you feel that your health allows and you have the willpower to observe Karva Chauth fast, you may do so after getting consent from your gynaecologist.
Also Read: How to Survive Karva Chauth Fast
