The Yom Kippur Fast — Pregnancy with Accompanying Difficulties
Question
Sorry about the hour
My wife, thank God, is pregnant. She was pregnant twice in the past on Yom Kippur, and she was permitted to drink in shiurim because lack of fluids causes her premature contractions.
This time it is a pregnancy after a miscarriage, and in this pregnancy, when she does not eat every so often, she immediately feels unwell: weak, nauseous, and it takes a very long time until she returns to herself. It also causes her stress and mental pressure (she is in an unstable emotional state because of the pregnancy), and in general, when she exerts herself a little or stands for half an hour or more, she immediately feels that she must lie down and rest. (She is not looking for a way not to fast; she wants to know what to do if she feels unwell.) She will be home alone with the 3 girls throughout Yom Kippur, without help. She is in week 19. Thank you.
(7th pregnancy)
Answer
Shalom u’vrachah
There are several parts here:
Regarding the fact that the fast causes her premature contractions: as soon as contractions begin, she must drink in order to calm the contractions. She should begin with “shiurim,” meaning 40 cc once every 9 minutes. And if that does not calm the contractions, she should drink a larger amount until the contractions stop.
Regarding her emotional state: you did not explain exactly what this condition causes. If this is a significant psychological difficulty—one that requires medication—she is exempt from fasting according to the law, and should fast only as much as she is able. If it is a slight emotional weakness because of the pregnancy, it must be assessed. If she becomes significantly weakened by it, one may permit her to drink in “shiurim” [as per the amount stated above].
In any case, she must rest well and not exert herself, and you must refrain from going to pray in order to enable her to fast properly and calmly.
