Experiences of Fasting in Ramadan among Muslim Pregnant Women

A qualitative study

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to describe experiences of Muslim pregnant women about fasting during the month of Ramadan using Husserl’s Phenomenology. Key informants were fourteen Muslim pregnant women both primipara and multipara. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select Muslim pregnant women who were fasting more than 15 days. The data were collected by using in-depth interviews, field study and tape recording. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect data during May 2019 to July 2019. The data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a content analysis method. The participants’ data were thoroughly reviewed by the participants themselves.

The finding revealed that participants defined the meaning of fasting during Ramadan in two categories: 1) fasting during pregnancy is compulsory in the Muslim faith, 2) result of practicing is merit, and 3) good for health. The informants gave the meanings to these experiences through three key aspects: 1) self-adaptation during fasting, 2) behavior modification during fasting, and 2) fasting effects to maternal and fetal health.

These findings provide understanding of fasting during pregnancy in the month of Ramadan, which in turn can be used for providing nursing care and developing best practices to promote maternal-fetal health which are concordant with Muslim faith.