If a pregnant woman has difficulty performing prayers, can she pray sitting down or by making gestures?

If any of the essential pillars of prayer are omitted without a valid excuse, the prayer is not valid. However, in our religion, responsibilities are determined according to a person's ability (al-Baqarah, 2/286), and concessions are made in situations that exceed one's capacity or cause severe hardship (al-Baqarah, 2/185). Indeed, when a sick companion asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) how to perform prayer, he said: "Pray standing; if you are unable, then sitting; and if you are unable, then lying on your side." (Bukhari, Taqsir al-Salat, 19 [1117])

Pregnant women should especially try to perform the obligatory prayers in their original form. While it is permissible to perform voluntary prayers sitting down, it is not permissible to perform obligatory prayers sitting down unless there is a valid excuse. However, if performing the prayer in its original form causes difficulty or hardship for a pregnant woman, or poses a risk to the baby, it is permissible for her to perform even the obligatory prayers sitting on the ground or a chair, making gestures. (For details, see the Board Decision titled "How should a person who cannot stand or prostrate perform prayer?" – 2026/10)

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu