Ramadan fasting during pregnancy: Obstetric risk stratification

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Religious Studies

Background:

• Fasting during pregnancy or lactation presents ethical and clinical challenges for healthcare providers.
• Balancing maternal and fetal well-being with patient autonomy and religious beliefs is complex.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a patient-centered, shared decision-making model for managing fasting requests during pregnancy and lactation.
• To provide obstetric care providers with tools for risk stratification in this clinical scenario.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a pragmatic, patient-centered approach.
• Implementing shared decision-making strategies.
• Employing clinical and laboratory-based assessments for risk stratification.

Main Results:

• Identification of simple clinical and investigation-based clues for risk stratification.
• Facilitation of informed decision-making regarding fasting.
• Prioritization of maternal and fetal safety.

Conclusions:

• A structured, risk-stratified approach enables safe management of fasting requests in pregnant or lactating women.
• Shared decision-making is crucial for respecting patient autonomy while ensuring optimal outcomes.
• This model supports obstetric providers in navigating complex ethical and clinical considerations.