Being a Muslim, it is always necessary to keep your heart connected to Allah. No matter how far you have strayed, redemption is always available. After all, the doors to Allah are always open.
However, there are times where you feel that your connection to your creator should be stronger. A muslim pregnant mom’s journey is important thing to know for the ummah. And one of that times is when Allah has blessed you with the wealth of a child. The question is, how do you keep yourself connected? Luckily, the complete guide is crafted just for you (no doubt the Quran is the complete guidance). It is more than appreciated if you follow the Sunnah’s and the teachings of the Quran while you are pregnant.
1. The Merry News Of Pregnancy & How a Muslim Pregnant Mom’s Journey Feels
Let’s go back to the time of your Nikkah (marriage). It is said that marriage is the eternal unity of two souls who had met long before being born into this temporary world. “Indeed, the people of heaven do not take delight in the pleasures of heaven more than Nikah” (Surat Āli-‘ Imrān, verse 14). This beautiful bond is no doubt precious.
The beauty of this phenomenon is increased a thousand times when you and your partner hear the happy news of bearing a child. It strengthens your bond with your partner and makes it “كامل” (Complete). This is the time when you need to return back to your Divine Creator, thank Him for His Glory and his Bliss because, after all, the child is the one that puts Heaven under your feet. (Complete list of tips for Pregnant Muslims!, n.d.)
2. Medical Advice For Mother’s In Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a delicate time, and utmost care is needed in this time period. Let’s just get a few things straight. Whatever you eat and drink will affect the baby one way or another. The things you eat and the nutrients you get will also transfer to the baby’s body. And if you want your baby to be healthy, you need to stay healthy and take care of yourself.
The first thing you need to know is that your daily energy requirements will increase during pregnancy. You will need more intake of iron and a two-fold intake of vitamin B-12. It is recommended that you consult your nutritionist for the proper diet.
On the other hand, you should take energy-rich foods that will help you gain strength. The Qur’an has mentioned the pregnancy of Maryam with the advice:
“And shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards you, and it will drop ripe dates by you. So eat, and drink, and be consoled” (Surah Maryam Verse 25)
Moreover, there are fruits and foods that are mentioned in the Quran that will help you tremendously, like Figs, Olive, Pomegranate, Qawoot, Quince, Watermelon, and Honey. (Sunnah recommended food in Pregnancy | Islam Hashtag, n.d.)
Apart from this, try not to get lost in the way as you need to control your body weight to avoid any complications.
3. What To Expect In Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be scary and exciting. It hurts, and it feels good at the same time. The extensive information of pregnancy is something that cannot be explained in mere ten minutes. However, there are a few things that you should know.
You can check the pregnancy with an HCG test kit which evaluates the HCG level in your blood and points out if you are pregnant. A few common symptoms of early pregnancy are frequent urination, tenderness of breasts, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. If you feel any of these symptoms, you need to relax as it is perfectly normal.
You may experience spotting on the day the implantation happens. Try not to mistake it with menses as this would be short-lived and would basically last from a few hours to 2 days. Once the time starts to pass, you will start to feel the contractions. The reason for this is that the two hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, are changing due to the pregnancy. It can cause mood swings, which can be a little irritating.
4. Physiological Changes
Apart from these things, you need to know that the process of pregnancy changes the positioning of your organs. When the uterus dilates and expands, it pushes the other organs upwards, and thus it can cause a little disruption. But wait, there is nothing to worry about as this will go back to normal after the birth of the child.
Your cardiac system will speed up, and you will notice a higher heartbeat rate because it increases by 20% in the 8th week of gestation.
And just a side note, because of the change in the position of the organs, the stomach and the digestive system go a little higher, which may cause GIT problems such as reflux. You can balance it out with necessary dietary changes to avoid ulcers.
5. Sunnah’s To Follow During Pregnancy
Apart from the things that your doctor prescribes to you, it is necessary to follow the Sunnahs as well. The acts you do during your pregnancy will be rewarded with different blessings. After all, what way is better than following the Islamic method at all times?
If you want more information on what more to do in order to please Allah, here are a few researched Sunnahs that you must follow:
1. Sajda-e-Shukr
As soon as you come to know about the baby, pause! Take a breathe, and thank Allah for this blessing. The best way to do this is by doing Sajda-e-Shukr. Indeed your Lord will bless more rewards towards you.
2. Wait Three Months
What does your heart feel when you hear the happy news? And what do you want to do? Your heart fills up in a moment, and your serotonin levels increase massively. The happiness is immaculate, and the excitement is unmeasured.
However, it is suggested that you keep it private at first. Both of the parents need to keep the news private for at least three months. First of all, you need to protect your baby from the Evil eye. At the same time, it would be much better if you include your close friends who you trust. It is better to surround yourself with people who radiate good vibes, have a positive attitude, and want what’s best for you.
3. Follow The Footsteps Of Mother Of Maryam
Islamic history contains people who we can look up to and seek guidance. Like we follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, you can follow the blessed footsteps of Mother of Maryam, who dedicated her life to serving her Lord.
4. Recite The Qur’an
Here is an interesting thing that you should know. After the 20th week of your pregnancy, the baby inside your womb can hear everything that is happening around the mother’s body. The ears and the nervous system start to develop, and there is nothing more perfect than guiding your child towards the right path from the very start.
You can recite the Quran and even play the Surahs on the speaker. When the sound waves hit the womb, it reaches towards the soul of the child. It is a beautiful phenomenon in which you enrich your child’s soul with the perfect words of the Qur’an.
5. Recite Dua’s
As mentioned and as guided, it is not necessary for the woman carrying a baby to keep fasts in the month of Ramadan. However, you can utilize this time and stay connected to Allah by reciting duas for your family’s wellbeing. And when you call your Lord, He always responds in the best way possible.
6. What Does The Quran & Sunnah Say About Pregnancy?
The complete set of guidance, the ultimate book to follow, and the protected book that prevents the humans from swaying towards Satan, the Qur’an is your ultimate guide. And when the Qur’an mentions pregnancy, you should be proud that you have been blessed with the best.
The formation of the human being and the process of pregnancy is explained in verse:
“Certainly We created the human being from an extract of clay. Then We made him a drop of (seminal) fluid (lodged) in a secure abode. Then We created the drop of fluid as a clinging mass. Then We created the clinging mass as a fleshy tissue. Then We created the fleshy tissue as bones. Them We clothed the bones with flesh. Then We produced him as (yet) another creature. So blessed is Allāh (SwT), the best of creators!” (Surat al-Mu’minūn, verses 12-14)
At the same time, motivation for you is always present in Islam. When we talk about the rights of women in Islam, no doubt there is no other religion than Islam that gives the highest status to women. After all:
“Paradise is under the feet of the mother.” The Prophet Muĥammad (S) and Sub’han’Allah it is true. When Islam states your position in the most precious way possible, no doubt the duty you are carrying is beyond appreciated.
“It is also narrated that the Prophet (S) was asked, ‘Which of the parents have a higher status?’ The Prophet (S) replied, ‘The one who for nine months kept you between her two sides (stomach), and then brought you into this world and gave you milk from her breasts.” (Chapter 6: Pregnancy, 2021)
If that’s not all, Allah has a reward for everything. There is never a moment of despair when you truly listen to your Lord. Also there are surah’s from Quran which are good to recite when someone is pregnant
“Any time a woman leaves this world because of labour pains, on the Day of Judgement, Allāh (SwT) will raise her from the grave pure and without an account (of sins), because such a woman has given her life due to the hardship and pain of labour .” Imām as-Ŝādiq (as) (Chapter 7: Delivery, n.d.)
No matter how much pain, how much devastation, and how much troubles you go through, know that you will be rewarded with the best and the very best indeed. And after all, He is the Creator, Al-Ghafoor, Al-Raheem, اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ! (Allah loves Al-muhsineen)
7. Mental Health During Pregnancy
Not only the mother but also the father has an equal contribution in making the environment pleasant for the baby. According to studies, the women who experienced more stress and anxiety had problems with their childbirth.
You need to know that your mental state and your emotions affect your body tremendously, and it is not only applicable in pregnancy but in normal life as well. When you go into stressful situations and anxiety, the imbalance of hormones can change the process in the womb as well.
Both the husband and the wife need to cooperate with each other and try to keep the environment as lovable as possible The husband should provide extreme care to his wife during this time period and should know that the slight mood swings and complications are part of pregnancy which will finish after a time.
It is suggested that both of you stay connected to Allah and seek His help again and again without hesitation. After all, prayer is the best form of mediation. You can recite duas and the Qur’an to keep your pace and to help your partner’s patience as well.
8. Going Into Labor And Childbirth
Talking about the time most women fear is the labor or the childbirth. No doubt if someone has not experienced labor before, she will hesitate. But be clear that through all this process, you need to rely on Allah to make things better.
When the labor pain starts, you can recite Surat al-Insĥiqāq, and it will help you effectively.
The contractions will increase as the time comes near, and once the time comes, everything will go as planned. Dilation occurs, which helps the baby to pass and believe in your Lord and His plans because birth itself is a miracle. After a few hours, the dilation will reduce, and your body will go back to normal. A relief? I know!
Once the child is born, there are a few Sunnah that you need to follow, and one of them is: “recite Adhān in his right ear and Iqāmah in his left, before they take the umbilical cord away.” (Chapter 8: After Delivery)
9. How To Get Ready As Parents
Parenthood is both exciting, adventurous, and intimidating. Make dua as frequent as possible and ask for your Lord’s blessing. Prophet Muhammad PBUH used to make dua:
“And invest my descendants with righteousness. Indeed I have turned to you in penitence, and I am one of the Muslims.”
At the same time, Imām Zain al-°Abidīn’s (as) used to say:
“Help me in their upbringing, their education, and my devotion toward them, give me among them from Yourself male children, make that a good for me, and make them a help for me in that which I ask from You!”
You need to know your responsibilities as parents to offer the very best to your child. Believe in yourself and study the Qur’an frequently to keep yourself guided and keep your children guided. Being a mother, you should breastfeed your baby for two years as the mother’s milk is indeed a complete diet:
“Mothers shall suckle their children for two full years, – that for such as desire to complete the suckling.” (Surat al-Baqarah, Verse 233)
At last, you should know that you will always have Allah by your side, and both of the parents should be with each other through thick and thin. It is your responsibility to make the child pious and the right descendant of the Holy Prophet PBUH.
Have faith! Insha’Allah, everything will be perfect! Ameen!
Note: This article is for informational purpose only. This article does not provide medical advice. Please consult you doctor for medical advice.
