Question
Assalaamu ‘Alaykum,
Allah The Exalted bestowed upon me the blessing of pregnancy after two and a half years of marriage. I am now in the fifth month of my pregnancy and the doctor informed me that I am pregnant with twins and they share one amniotic sac (bag of water) and one placenta. They are in good health, thanks to Allah The Exalted, but the doctor told me that the risk of miscarriage, deformity or death is high for one or both of the twins. She also notified me of the possibility that one twin may be compromised by the other. She forewarned me that the umbilical cord of one of the twins may become wrapped around the other’s neck, preventing nutrients and oxygen from reaching the other twin.
She has advised me to stay in the hospital during the 30th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy? Is this right? Does my condition entail premature birth? Which is less harmful?
I am looking for a trustworthy doctor, because my doctor is not a Muslim, as I am in the U.S. My question is regarding fasting during the month of Ramadan, which starts from five in the morning and ends at half past four or five p.m. Will fasting affect my health and the health of my twins? What do you advise me to do in this case?
May Allah reward you.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Ever Merciful
Dear sister,
Assalaamu ‘Alaykum,
There are two types of twin pregnancy: the twins may share one amniotic sac and one placenta or each of them may have their own amniotic sac and placenta. If the twins share one amniotic sac and one placenta, as the doctor informed you, there might be some complications and abnormalities. Usually, a Caesarean section is favorable in such a condition in order to avoid complications. The doctor can identify the date of the operation based on the periodic check-up during pregnancy after the commencement of the thirtieth week. The periodic check-up during pregnancy includes the regular examination and obstetric sonography, using sound waves to visualize and determine the condition of the pregnant woman and her embryo or fetus. If the doctor notices any problem during the check-up such as differences in the size of the twins, or any other indication suggesting any problem, she can have the Caesarean section earlier. However, if things are going normally according to the periodic check-up, the Caesarean section may be delayed to the 35th or 36th week, i.e. before the estimated due date in order to give the fetuses time to grow within the uterus. If there is a need for an early Caesarean section, the doctor will prescribe medicines like Dexamethasone, which helps in the development and competency of the respiratory system of newborn babies.
As for the fast, Islam promotes ease and repels hardship. If the pregnant woman experiences hardship in fasting the month of Ramadan, then she may break her fast if she fears for herself or for the fetus, and she can make up for these days later.
We ask Allah The Almighty to grant you safety, righteousness and pious offspring.
May Allah grant us success.