Pregnant women are obligated to fast on Yom Kippur unless there is a specific cause for concern that fasting may be dangerous to the mother or fetus.
In general, when a pregnancy is going smoothly, the woman should begin fasting normally. If she starts feeling very ill (beyond the normal weakness/hunger/headaches associated with a fast), or if she begins experiencing contractions, she should start eating/drinking in
shiurim. Please see our article on&
Pregnancy and Yom Kippur for a description of how to measure shiurim.
We recommend discussing your experience on Tisha B’Av with your physician, explaining the seriousness of the fast on Yom Kippur and also the possibility of
shiurim. You may find the section of our website designed for medical professionals,
Jewish Women’s Health, to be helpful in conveying the halachic issues. You should then get back to us or a rabbinic authority with your doctor’s position and reasoning.
Before Yom Kippur, you should make preparations to ease the fast as much as possible. Make sure to hydrate yourself very well for 2-3 days before the fast. Stay in bed all day in an air conditioned room. Your fasting takes precedence not only over your davening in shul, but, if necessary, over your husband’s.
Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.
B’sha’ah tovah!
