Fasting on Tisha B'Av for Pregnant and Nursing Women
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Question
I am a rabbi in Montreal, and I would like clear guidance on the law regarding fasting on Tisha B'Av for pregnant women, both at the beginning and end of pregnancy, and for nursing mothers, whether the baby is exclusively breastfed, mostly breastfed but also eats other foods, or mostly not breastfed and only partially breastfed. If possible, please consult our teacher, the great Gaon Rabbi Amram Fried, shlita. Thank you very much.
Answer
Hello Rabbi
According to the instructions of the Gaon, Rabbi Amram Fried, shlita:
Pregnant women - if the pregnancy is normal, they should fast, but if the hemoglobin is below ten, they do not fast. If it is above ten, a sage should be consulted. If there is severe nausea, repeated vomiting, premature contractions, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, or there have been bleedings, in all these cases, fasting is not required. Also, in the case of twin pregnancies, fasting is not required.
Nursing mothers - generally, a nursing mother should fast and prepare properly for the fast by drinking plenty of fluids in the days leading up to the fast and resting on the fast day itself.
However, if fasting results in insufficient food for the baby, she should drink and not fast.