Ramadan fasting during pregnancy: Obstetric risk stratification

Some women may wish to fast during pregnancy or lactation, for religious or spiritual reasons. This may pose a dilemma to the obstetric care provider, who has to balance the need for maternal and foetal wellbeing with the wishes and needs of the mother. This communication describes a pragmatic, shared decision making, based on patient centred approach to this challenging clinical situation. It highlights simple clinical and investigation based clues which allow obstetric risk stratification of women in pregnancy or lactation. This clinical and laboratory based assessment allows appropriate decision making regarding fasting, while keeping foeto-maternal safety paramount.