Do Dates Help in Labor? Can You Eat Them During Pregnancy?
Every mother desires quick, simple, and safe labour and delivery. Although dates are said to be a superfood for pregnant women, are they effective? This is all the information you require to determine whether or not dates during pregnancy are worthwhile.
Dates During Pregnancy –Everything You Need to Know
If you’re a mom who desires natural labour and delivery, you’ve heard about the power of dates during pregnancy. If not – it’s crucial that you read on! Dates have the potential to shorten your labour while also easing the pain of pushing and contractions.
However, what precisely do dates do? For what reason do they assist? Furthermore, how much must I eat? Even if you dislike dates, we're going to delve deeper into each of these issues so you may benefit from all of their pregnancy-related advantages.
Do dates help during pregnancy?
Every expectant mother desires simple and quick labour and delivery. It might be as easy as going on a date to achieve that aim. An unexpected superfood for pregnant women. But why are dates beneficial when pregnant?
Benefits of dates during pregnancy:
· has a physiological impact similar to that of oxytocin, making the uterus more sensitive.
· causes uterine contractions to be stimulated
· helps reduce the risk of postpartum haemorrhaging by aiding in the control of postpartum bleeding.
Dates provide your body with a feeling similar to that of oxytocin. The uterus becomes more sensitive as a result. When you begin to experience contractions, the sensitivity allows the contractions to accomplish more jobs in less time.
The hormone that causes uterine contractions is called oxytocin. Dates are a great way to reduce postpartum haemorrhaging since they help induce uterine contractions. To reduce bleeding, your uterus might contract more forcefully and efficiently.
Nutritional Benefits:
· Potassium – Top-notch electrolyte. To avoid dehydration, maintain electrolyte balance, and support healthy blood pressure, it aids in maintaining the water and salt balance in your body.
· Vitamin K – maintains appropriate blood clotting and strong bones. Because your body is deficient in vitamin K before birth, consuming more before delivery can help supplement.
· Fiber – reduces constipation, helps you feel full, and controls bowel motions.
· Magnesium – reduces cramps and spasms in the muscles. can help with insomnia as well.
Science supporting dates during pregnancy
According to a scientific study, women who went on six dates a day in the four weeks before giving birth had the following:
· A higher cervical dilation
· More intact membranes
· More likely to go into spontaneous labour
· A shorter first stage of labour
· Significantly reduced need for augmentation or induction
· More favourable delivery outcomes
This study published in the Journal of Midwifery & Reproductive help deducted similar results:
· higher Bishop Scores (effacement, dilation, position and fetal station) when admitted to the hospital
· Higher cervical dilation
· Lower rates of cesarean sections and vacuum/forceps delivery
· Higher success of vaginal delivery after labour induction
When to start eating dates during pregnancy?
In the aforementioned research, subjects began consuming roughly 70–75 grams (three to four dates per day) four weeks after the stated due date.
Dates are something you may enjoy throughout your pregnancy. Remember that they contain a lot of sugar, so use caution if you have high blood sugar. All things considered, dates are a nutritious food that is good for you. Furthermore, as they are naturally occurring sugar, they won't cause a blood sugar rise that will cause you to crash later.
From week 36 of pregnancy, women who wish to have a smooth and quick delivery as well as all the health benefits of dates, should start eating dates every day.
How many dates should I eat?
Medjool and Deglet Noor are the two varieties of dates that exist. Which dates the subjects ate were not stated in the aforementioned studies. The nutritional advantages of the dates are almost the same, therefore it doesn't matter. The only distinction between them is size.
Compare the size of a Medjool date to a deglet noor date. They are roughly twice as big. Eat three Medjool or six deglet noor dates to equal the suggested serving size.
Delicious date recipes
Still, what if you're not a fan of dates? Or maybe you just don't know how to incorporate them into your diet other than by eating them raw.
Here are a ton of delicious ways to incorporate dates into your diet and eat them throughout pregnancy.
· Make this sweet and healthy Date and Almond Candy
· Add them to this yummy, vegan caramel sauce
· Use them in your homemade almond milk recipe instead of sugar as a sweetener
· Add dates to your diet by eating your favourite Larabars
Other ways to ease labour
1. Consider hiring a doula. – A birth doula is a trained birth coach who will ease labour pain, advocate for your birth wishes and help you make informed decisions to have your best labour.
2. Take a childbirth class – One of the best methods to ease labour and get ready for birth is to choose the perfect birth class. You will discover how to manage pain naturally, labour positions, how to involve your partner, and even how to enjoy giving birth naturally.
3. Drink red raspberry leaf tea – Red raspberry leaf tea is loaded with health advantages throughout the third trimester, just like dates. It tones and strengthens your uterus, enabling more forceful contractions and a shorter duration of labour.
4. Evaluate your birthplace and healthcare provider – Make sure your healthcare practitioner and place of birth are in agreement with your birth choices before entering the third trimester. Different birth locations and HCPs have various birth-related policies, practices, and beliefs. It will be quite beneficial to know where you stand in your practice.
5. Create a birth plan – It may seem archaic to have a formal birth plan. But putting your birth wishes on paper ensures that when labour starts, everyone knows what to do. Additionally, it's a great way for you to learn about alternatives you may not have even realized existed for labour, delivery, postpartum care, and your child.
6. Get baby into optimal position – The ideal position is head down, posterior (facing your back), and engaged. To do this, adhere to the tactics described in this writeup.
References:
https://theinformedbirth.com/stages-of-labor-and-delivery/
https://www.kitchenathoskins.com/2018/12/20/healthiest-date-and-almond-candy/
https://plantbasedjess.com/vegan-caramel-sauce-healthier-recipe/
https://fitfoodiefinds.com/the-best-date-sweetened-homemade-almond-milk/
https://jmrh.mums.ac.ir/article_2772.html
