Eating dates in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy could make your labour easier! And let’s be fair, what’s not to like about that?! If there’s a way to encourage a smooth labour we’re all for it here at JustExhale!
You may or may not have heard about the benefits of eating dates in pregnancy but there have been several studies that suggest that it may help to contribute towards a smoother and easier birth.
Eating dates: the study…
The study showed a number of factors that support that eating dates in the final 4 weeks of pregnancy helped ease the affects of labour. Factors that were included in the study are:
- Women went into labour spontaneously i.e. no need for interventions such as induction.
- Women dilated faster.
- The first stages of labour were a lot shorter.
I actually always thought that I didn’t like dates up until last year but I quite like them now, perhaps not 6 a day though! There are lots of ways that you could get creative with the way you eat your dates if you want to give it a try.
Eating dates: how to serve them…
- In a smoothie with yoghurt, peanut butter, milk and cocoa powder.
- In energy balls with nuts and/or dark chocolate.
- With peanut butter.
- With yoghurt and honey.
- Chopped up small or whizzed up in the blender with milk to add to porridge.
- Frozen – makes them taste a little like caramel!
Dates have a low GI so they could have a mild impact on your blood sugars if they’re eaten in moderation. Do check with your midwife if you have gestational diabetes. Dates are packed full of nutrients which makes them great to eat during pregnancy, they are great source of energy, protein, folate, vitamin k, potassium, iron and magnesium! They are also full of fibre which is great is you’re suffering with the dreaded pregnancy constipation.
According to the research, ideally, you want to consume between 70-100g of dates every day, this would be 3-4 of the big Medjool dates. Dates contain phytoestrogen which can help to increase prostaglandins which are the hormones needed to soften and dilate the cervix.
Did you eat dates during your pregnancy and if so, how was your labour journey?
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