Many people have long believed that dates help induce labor. There's some evidence that shows eating dates may help shorten labor, but it won't necessarily kick-start it. One study of more than 200 pregnant women in 2013 showed that eating dates can help with the softening of the cervix or cervical ripening for labor.
Studies have shown that eating six dates a day in those 4 weeks before your estimated due date can result in easier labor, a shorter first phase of labor, more intact membranes at birth as well as more spontaneous labor without the need for medical intervention or induction.
The first stage of labour was shorter in women who consumed date fruit compared with the non-date fruit consumers- 8.5 hours vs 15 hours.”
[10] Dates affect oxytocin receptors and make uterine muscles respond better to oxytocin, resulting in more effective uterine contractions.
In addition, date fruit contains any hormones that prepare uterine to stretching and child birth [28]. Also, date can accelerate labor process, increase cervix dilatation, and reduce the need for induction [23, 24].
There's some evidence that shows eating dates may help shorten labor, but it won't necessarily kick-start it. One study of more than 200 pregnant women in 2013 showed that eating dates can help with the softening of the cervix or cervical ripening for labor.
Starting this protocol around 36/37 weeks is what research suggests. Studies support that the earlier you start eating the dates the better, the results were higher in the people who started eating them around 36/37 weeks. You can eat the date plain or mixed in with something.
Dates can support a healthy labor
While there are many myths surrounding ways to induce labor, eating dates has some real scientific data supporting their consumption. Specifically, eating dates has been shown to increase cervical ripening.
It is not uncommon for the cervical ripening to take up to 24-36 hours!! It is also not uncommon to use different techniques to ripen the cervix. You may feel contractions during this process. If the contractions become painful, you will be able to request medication to relieve your discomfort.
Dates. In one small study, women who ate six dates per day in the month leading up to their due dates had a higher chance of going into labor on their own and had higher cervical dilation when they were admitted.
Dates (the fruit)
New studies have shown that six dates a day starting at 36 weeks can help soften the cervix, reduce the need for medical induction and help promote a shorter labor.
Dates are a source of folate, which helps reduce the likelihood of birth defects. They also provide iron and vitamin K. Increasing the amount of iron in your diet can boost your energy levels and combat iron deficiency anemia.
Consuming dates every morning on an empty stomach before your workout can help to keep you feeling, give you a burst of energy and thus aid in healthy weight loss. This is because dates are high in fibre, slowing down absorption in the large intestine.
In summary, cervical ripening is the result of realignment of collagen, degradation of collagen cross-linking due to proteolytic enzymes. Cervical dilation results from these processes plus uterine contractions. This is a complicated series of events in which many changes occur both simultaneously and sequentially.
If a woman is performing self-massage, she may wish to place her fingertips just outside the areola, then massage inward toward the nipple. It is best to massage the nipple gently, in a rolling motion. Massaging one breast at a time to avoid overstimulation. Limiting the duration of the massage.
Administered alone, prostaglandin may induce labor or may be used before giving oxytocin. Giving the hormone oxytocin to stimulate contractions. Given continuously through an IV, the drug (Pitocin) is started in a small dose and then increased until labor is progressing well.
According to this study, women who ate six dates a day for the four weeks leading up to their due date were: 74% more dilated than non-date eaters at admission to birthplace. 38% more likely to have intact membranes.
Pineapple is therefore consumed by pregnant women often in the last weeks of pregnancy in a bid to aid cervical ripening. It is believed that dates can help with the process of cervical ripening while also improving the spontaneity of labour & reducing the chances of postpartum hemorrhage.
Human sperm contains a high amount of prostaglandin, a hormone‐like substance which ripens the cervix and helps labour to start. Sometimes it is necessary to help start labour and it has been suggested that sexual intercourse may be an effective means.