Celebrating Festivals While Expecting: A Mindful Guide For Mothers-to-Be | Health and Fitness News

A doctor from AIIMS said that foetuses can play a crucial role in medical education. (Representative Image)

What is something similar yet different about pregnancy and festivals? Festivals signify the passage of seasons and cycles in their rituals of celebration; pregnancy, too, signifies a fleeting moment in time full of anticipation for new life, immersed in a state of flow and change. Yet, beneath the twinkling lights and amidst conversations that can feel burdensome lies a quieter truth that is not often spoken about.

Festivals during pregnancy take more effort, patience, and engagement with one’s state of being than most people realize. Naturally, everyone wants to celebrate every holiday with the same spirit as before pregnancy. But now, tuning into the rhythm of a body in transition becomes another kind of celebration one that cannot be rushed. It is a measure of balance and attentiveness.

Dr. Charulata Bansal, Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cocoon Hospital, Jaipur, shares all you need to know:

In India, festivals provide a total immersion experience that typically includes fasting (which may be lifted for some), elaborate rituals, travel, and socializing. No matter how you look at it, physical stamina and emotional resilience will be tested as an expectant mother during a typical festival. But that should not deter one from enjoying the season. The experience becomes even more significant when interpreted according to one’s own meaning, comfort levels, and balance with tradition.

You may take breaks, eat lighter and nutrient-rich foods, stay hydrated, and rearrange strenuous responsibilities to include some downtime. Listening to your body and setting limits does not eliminate the spirit of celebration rather, it enhances its meaning. There is greater beauty not in doing everything, but in mindfully experiencing what you do.

The Tension Between Celebratory Fasting and Maternal Health

Expecting mothers may view fasting during festivities as harmless or even spiritually fulfilling. However, medical experts note that pregnancy heightens the need for energy, fluids, and specific nutrients. Extended fasting, especially without fluids, can lead to dehydration, low blood sugar, dizziness, or fatigue, all of which can put both the mother and the fetus at risk.

Experts advise that without regular consultations with their gynaecologist or obstetrician, women may inadvertently risk their pregnancy by undertaking full fasts on days like Karwa Chauth or during monsoon festivals, especially if they already have gestational diabetes, anaemia, or hypertension.

If fasting is chosen, it is recommended to include complex carbohydrates, protein, and hydrating foods in the pre-dawn meal such as fruits, milk, or coconut water to ensure a stable energy supply during the hours of abstention.

Environmental and Physical Stressors During Celebrations

Environmental stressors including high noise levels, fireworks, heavy cooking, and large gatherings can be unexpected challenges for pregnant women, who are already experiencing increased demands on their immune and cardiovascular systems. Festivals like Deepavali often involve air pollution and smoke from firecrackers, which can worsen respiratory discomfort or allergies. These symptoms tend to be most problematic in the first trimester when the immune system is especially sensitive.

Physical tasks such as cleaning, decorating, and cooking should be spread out over several days or shared with others. Regular rest can help avoid exhaustion, swelling, or back pain — all common pregnancy complaints during festive times.

One often-overlooked stressor is disrupted sleep, caused by late-night pujas, gatherings, or guests. Sleep disruptions can affect hormonal balance, mood, and energy, all vital for a healthy pregnancy.

Emotional Wellbeing and Mindful Celebration

Emotional wellbeing during festivals is just as important as physical safety. Expectant mothers may feel guilty for not following every ritual perfectly, or pressured by expectations to maintain the same enthusiasm as before pregnancy. In trying to please everyone, they may ignore their discomfort.

Medical experts encourage families to communicate openly about what is possible and what is not. Every pregnancy is unique. It is neither wrong nor a failure to modify rituals for comfort whether that means shortening fasts, eating lighter foods, reducing time in crowds, or avoiding fireworks.

Mindfulness also includes maintaining hygiene, especially in food preparation and crowded spaces, to reduce the risk of infections, which can be more severe during pregnancy. Indian maternal health experts recommend focusing on balanced, gentle foods during festivities to prevent nausea, constipation, or foodborne illnesses particularly during fasts such as Navratri, where ingredients may be stored improperly.

Ultimately, festivals remain joyful and deeply meaningful during pregnancy provided the expectant mother engages with them wisely and gently. The philosophy of modern obstetrics values personalized care: asking one’s gynaecologist about hydration, nutrition, rest, social support, and realistic expectations.

By honoring her body’s rhythm, the expectant mother celebrates the festival not only through ritual but through kindness toward herself. Her pregnancy, too, becomes a kind of festival — one that honors life, growth, change, and love, coexisting harmoniously with the celebrations around her.