08/25/2020
Dates have been used around the world for centuries as a natural approach to preparation for labor. Several studies now support their effectiveness. Though we don’t know exactly why, they do have an impact on the start and progress of labor - likely due to an impact on the hormone oxytocin which helps labor start and progress effectively.
A 2011 study found that women who ate dates starting at 36 weeks were:
🔸 Significantly more dilated when they got to the hospital
🔸 Had a significantly higher rate of intact membranes
🔸 Were significantly more likely to go into labor spontaneously (i.e. without induction)
🔸 And had nearly half the length of first stage of labor
A 2014 study found that women who ate dates from 37 weeks on had:
🔸 Greater cervical dilatation at admission
🔸 Higher success rates of labor induction when needed
A 2017 study concluded that all the above was accurate and yet another study found that eating dates in pregnancy led to less bleeding immediately after birth.
Any type of dates work! The ‘dose’ is about 2.5 ounces of dates ( ~6 to 8 small dates or ~4 larger dates) daily, starting at 36 or 37 weeks and until labor begins. I love eating them plain, but you can include them in my “herbal bliss bites” (recipe on my IGTV), use them to sweeten cashew or almond milk, or include them chopped in yogurt or oatmeal. Amazingly, they also haven’t been shown to be a problem for blood sugar.
Did you use dates to prep for your labor? Do you know a pregnant mama who is prepping for labor? Tag her in the comments below so she can learn about the power of this ancient medicine!
