Contractions and Vomiting - Tisha B'Av Fast
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Question
Hello, My wife is in her ninth month of pregnancy and suffers from constant nausea and vomiting, and experiences very strong contractions, especially when she doesn't drink. There is a concern about a defect in the fetus. On the doctor's recommendation, she was told not to fast on Tisha B'Av. What should be done according to Halacha?
Answer
Hello,
She should eat and drink as usual.
I am copying from the recorded messages on the Beit Hora'ah line (extension 500) the laws of Havdalah for eating on a fast:
This year, when the fast begins on Saturday night, a sick person who eats on the fast must make Havdalah over a cup before eating [even a person who became ill on Tisha B'Av itself and needs to eat must make Havdalah over a cup]. And if healthy people who are fasting hear Havdalah from him, they have fulfilled their obligation.
A woman who eats with permission on Tisha B'Av should make Havdalah and drink the cup herself [and there is no concern in this], and some say that her husband or another can make Havdalah for her, and she drinks the cup, and even the one making Havdalah fulfills the obligation.
If she cannot drink the Havdalah cup, she should make Havdalah and give it to a child who has reached the age of education [age 5-6] to drink the cup. If there is no child, she can eat before Havdalah and hear Havdalah after the fast.
The text of Havdalah for those making it on a fast: do not say the verses before the blessing "Behold God, etc.", but begin with the blessing "Creator of the fruit of the vine", and then the blessing "Who separates between holy and profane". Do not bless over spices [and if they have not yet blessed "Creator of the lights of fire", they bless in Havdalah, and if they have already blessed over the candle, they do not bless in Havdalah].
Those making Havdalah on a fast should preferably do so over grape juice [and even a woman making Havdalah drinks the grape juice as mentioned].
The one making Havdalah should drink a quarter of the cup (and although it is sufficient to fill one's mouth, since initially one should drink a quarter to avoid doubt about the final blessing, it is permitted for the sick to drink all that is necessary for the final blessing).
One who drinks water with permission on Tisha B'Av and does not eat does not need to make Havdalah before drinking.
Source
According to the instructions of the Gaon, Rabbi Ovadia Fried, shlita