Can eating dates help with labour?
There has been so much talk in recent years on the benefits of eating dates and finally we have evidence to suggest that dates have a great impact on the body’s preparation for labour.
I’ve recently researched the effectiveness of eating dates during pregnancy for positive labour outcomes. There has been so much talk in recent years on the benefits of eating dates and finally we have evidence to suggest that dates have a great impact on the body’s preparation for labour.
The guidelines from one study found that eating 6-8 dates per day during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy (from 36 weeks onwards) resulted in:
Significantly higher mean cervical dilatation upon admission compared with the non-date fruit consumers (3.52 cm vs 2.02 cm)
Significantly higher proportion of intact membranes (83% vs 60%)
Spontaneous labour occurred in 96% of those who consumed dates, compared with 79% women in the non-date fruit consumers.
Use of prostin/oxytocin was significantly lower in women who consumed dates (28%), compared with the non-date fruit consumers (47%)
The mean latent phase of the first stage of labour was shorter in women who consumed date fruit compared with the non-date fruit consumers (510 min vs 906 min)
A direct quote from the study results:
It is concluded that the consumption of date fruit in the last 4 weeks before labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labour, and produced a more favourable, but non-significant, delivery outcome.
Further randomised controlled studies have taken place - groups eating dates from 36 weeks showed significantly less need for induction of labour using prostin or synthetic oxytocin! Even better, one study proved that women who ate dates during labour gave birth to babies with a higher APGAR score at 5 minutes post birth!
I’m really keen to hear from you if you ate dates during your pregnancy - did you think it helped? Do any of the descriptors above fit with how your labour went? I personally had a 12 minute 2nd stage of labour with my first baby (I did eat dates from 34 weeks!) but there are so many variables when studying labour duration, plus this is only anecdotal evidence!
Regardless, dates are safe and delicious to consume! Think of it as a dose of sticky toffee pudding a day during your final weeks of pregnancy, with potential benefits on the side!
Only 4% of babies are born on their due date!
How accurate are due dates? Only 4% of babies are born on their due dates! Find out more…
Why hasn’t my baby arrived on its due date?
Statistically, only 4% of babies are born on their due date and many healthy babies are born after this.
I often discuss the advantage of planning a meal out or date night on a baby’s due date with my expectant couples. There’s a good chance that you might be able to fulfil your plans, but make sure it’s something easy to cancel if needed.
No matter how reasonable and rational you feel about your due date, it’s completely normal to feel a hint of sadness when your baby doesn’t turn up ‘on schedule’. Think about it - you’ve been waiting for this day for 9 months!
Personally I took delight in going to as many different places on my due date as possible. Feeling huge and waddling like a penguin, I was determined to keep as active as possible and get those last minute bits and pieces from the shops.
The lady on the tills at Dunelm Mill told the entire queue that I was due that day, with a hint of panic as if they might need to run and get some towels any minute. And the waiter in the restaurant that evening couldn’t bring the card machine fast enough when I told her that the baby was fully baked.
Comment below - What have you planned for your due date? Or if your baby has already arrived, did you do anything fun on your estimated due date?
What is an APGAR score?
Find out how your baby is assessed by the midwifery team at 1 min post birth and 5 mins post birth. In this short blog, I explore APGAR scores, how they are carried out and what they mean.
What is an APGAR Score?
Once your baby is born, the midwives in charge of your care will assess your baby using a scoring system called APGAR. This routine scoring occurs after 60 seconds and again at 5 minutes post birth.
A baby can score between zero and two for each of five criteria (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration) This is added to give a score out of 10.
A score of seven or above is considered normal, and a score below seven is regarded as low.
From the NHS Maternity Statistics 2018-2019, only 1% of the 485,901 term babies (with an APGAR score recorded) had a score below seven.