When to start eating dates in pregnancy
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| Benefits of Dates for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum |
Benefits of Dates for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum
What do dates bring to pregnant women? Why is it recommended to consume them a few weeks before giving birth? Let's take stock.
The date is said to be an ally with multiple benefits for pregnant women, allowing them to give them a boost, fight against constipation, help them have an uncomplicated delivery and support them in the postpartum period.
What are the benefits of dates?
The date is a fruit that comes from the date palm, which is native to the Middle East . Today, they are also grown in the Mediterranean, Asia, the United States and Mexico. It is an energy fruit with many nutritional benefits. It is rich in natural sugar, antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, iron and many vitamins (C, E, B2 and B3, but also A1, B1, B5, B6 and K).
It is also rich in zeaxanthin and lutein which are natural carotenoids that help improve the vision of pregnant women.
Herbal teas, energy balls... The different ways to consume dates
It can be consumed fresh, dried, in the form of honey, in herbal tea or can be cooked in the form of energy balls (combined with other dried fruits, peanut butter or even chocolate), perfect for a little snack during the day.
Do dates open the cervix?
The role of dates in labor phases
Dates do not specifically help open the cervix. However, a 2017 study from the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research*demonstrated that the duration of the 3 stages of labor (dilation, expulsion and delivery) was shorter in women who consumed dates at the end of pregnancy. Dates would tone the uterus, which would therefore allow more effective contractions and faster dilation of the cervix.
Can this fruit make childbirth easier?
That's not all: it seems that the use of synthetic oxytocin was significantly lower in this same group of women who consumed dates. The researchers thus concluded that date consumption was beneficial in reducing the duration of labor and reducing oxytocin injections to speed up labor.
In another study from the same source, researchers found that women who ate dates less often required medical intervention (episiotomy, use of forceps, emergency cesarean section, etc.) to induce or accelerate labor than those who did not.
When to start eating foods like dates during pregnancy?
It would be from the 36th week of pregnancy that it would be recommended to consume 4 to 6 dates per day to promote a delivery without complications and with a reduced duration of labor.
In rare cases, an allergic reaction to dates may occur. This may include tingling, itching, or swelling around the mouth or tongue. If these symptoms occur, you should stop eating dates immediately.
Can you eat dates during early pregnancy?
It is quite possible to consume dates throughout pregnancy. However, the date is one of the sweetest fruits with a high glycemic index, so it should not be abused, especially in case of gestational diabetes.
Another ally during the end of pregnancy that is not composed of sugar: raspberry leaf infusion. It should be consumed three times a day from the 36th week of pregnancy to relax the uterus and allow the baby to pass more easily during childbirth.
After pregnancy: can you eat dates during the postpartum period?
Dates are an excellent source of slow sugars. They provide a quick energy boost after birth and can therefore be particularly useful during the postpartum period (when time and energy are lacking).
Dates are also said to help stimulate uterine contractions and reduce postpartum hemorrhage.
Dates and breastfeeding
Dates are also said to be particularly good for boosting lactation during breastfeeding.
If you are not a fan of dates, know that dried fruits in general are rich in minerals and trace elements and also very filling. However, just like dates, you should not overdo it, because they are rich in sugar.
