Dates, the natural tool to prepare your body for labour
Have you ever wondered how you can help your body prepare for labour?
The answer is simple… dates!
Research has found that pregnant women who consume 6 date fruits/day for 4 weeks prior to their estimated due date showed significant benefits prior to labour. That sounds too good to be true right. Nope, just that simple. Women who consumed these dates had a higher cervical dilation on admission and showed higher rates of going into labour spontaneously. This also led to a reduction in the use of synthetic prostaglandins and oxytocin that are used to induce and accelerate labour contractions.
Wait… it gets better!! Don’t forget the nutritional benefits consuming dates will provide! Think of that pesky pregnancy constipation and fatigue. Dates are loaded with fibre to keep your digestive system running smoothly. Dates also provide a natural source of fructose offering you a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth due to its low glycaemic index. Low glycaemic foods are carbs digested more slowly, meaning its less likely to show spiked in bloods sugars. Rest assured; you can snack away for that much needed surge of energy but think twice about that packet of sour squirms and decide on some dates.
Dates are also a good source of folate, iron, vitamin K and potassium. Folate is essential in pregnancy to reduce the likelihood of birth defects and iron consumption is just as necessary to fight iron deficiency. Vitamin K helps your growing baby develop strong bones AND improve muscle and nerve function. It doesn’t stop there… potassium is an electrolyte mineral that helps keep blood vessels relaxed and lowers blood pressure!!
So, ladies, from 36 weeks add those dates in a smoothie, find a date power ball recipe or if you like just to snack on them – imagine its chocolate HAHA! Happy dating
This blog is written by Lucy Barnes who is both a Midwife and a Hypnobirthing Australia Practitioner in Queensland, Bracken Ridge. CLICK HERE for more details.
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