Fasting if I might be pregnant? - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Fasting if I might be pregnant?

October 6, 2005

Question

There are some fasts that come with leniency toward pregnant women. If I am in my 2 week wait between ovulation and my anticipated period, do I have the leniencies of a pregnant woman since I may be pregnant and not yet be able to know it?

I already start to take the medical precautions beginning at ovulation – no alcohol, etc. Should I then also keep the halachic health precautions since I am what the medical world considers "might be pregnant"?

Answer

Until there is a confirmed pregnancy, there are no halachic implications of a woman's "might be pregnant" status, barring a uniquely severe medical condition, chas veshalom. In the case you describe, before forty days have passed since you last used the mikveh, the possibility of a pregnancy would not affect your obligation to fast.

Additionally, there is no evidence that fasting is unhealthy for an early pregnancy. If there are health problems or concerns with previous pregnancies that might advise greater caution and preclude fasting even at this stage, a woman should discuss this issue with her doctor and then ask a specific halachic question.