It is said that Mary gave birth to Jesus under a palm tree and ate date fruits to ease her labor pains. Almost 2000 years later scientist and researchers are turning towards dates to find safer alternatives for induction and augmentation of labor.
A
prospective study carried out at the Jordan University of Science and
Technology from 2007 to 2008 and published
in 2011 in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology documented
that consumption of 6 dates fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) per day for 4
weeks before the estimated due date resulted in significantly higher mean
cervical dilatation at admission, intact membranes, and spontaneous
labor. Spontaneous labor occurred in 96% of those who consumed dates,
compared with 79% of women in the non-date fruit consumers (p = 0.024)
Results of a randomized controlled trial published in Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research reports that consuming dates in late pregnancy shortens the labor significantly and eliminates the need of labor augmentation by oxytocin.
Another randomized trial published July 2017 in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology supports the findings of earlier studies and states that “dates consumption in late pregnancy is a safe supplement to be considered as it reduced the need for labor intervention without any adverse effect on the mother and child.”
Here is a very informative YouTube video about dates as the best food during late pregnancy by Dr. Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM. He is a physician, author, and internationally recognized speaker on many important public health issues and believes that food is medicine. Dr. Greger is the founder of the non-profit, science-based website NutritionFacts.org.
Abstract: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Abstract: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
