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Fasting, pregnancy, and UTI

1 October, 2014

Question:

I will be 18 weeks pregnant (first pregnancy) on Yom Kippur, and the doctor said that there is no medical reason not to fast; however, since then my test results came back showing that I have a "symptomless" urinary tract infection.

Is it still safe not to drink in this case? And is it preferable to start antibiotics after Yom Kippur or should I start them now and take them on Yom Kippur so as not to break the course?

In general, are there any signs that I should know about that require drinking shiurim on Yom Kippur – or is it just a "general bad feeling" (dizziness etc)? Usually I fast very easily so I'm not sure what to expect.


Answer:

Please double check with your physician.  You should start the antibiotics now and continue through the course, including Yom Kippur.  Be sure to drink a lot in the days preceding the fast (i.e., now) and to rest as much as possible during the fast, even at the expense of attending shul.  Fasting is more important than going to shul. 

There is no one-size-fits-all definition for when you should drink shiurim, but a "bad feeling" that does not improve with some time lying down could be one.  Prepare shiurim in advance, just in case, with a nourishing liquid (like a non-salty soup broth) so that you get as much as possible from the drinking.  But if you generally fast well, there is good reason to think you will do well fasting in your second trimester.

For more information, please see our site's related article.

Gemar chatimah tovah!


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