Table of contents:
If a pregnant woman does not show signs of childbirth, even though it's time, there are several ways you can do to trigger labor. One of them is by eating spicy food. What does the medical world say about the whisper of neighbors who say that spicy food triggers labor?
Is it true that spicy food triggers labor?
Many women believe that eating spicy food triggers labor. Spicy food generally makes the stomach upset and heartburn, so it is believed to stimulate contractions that are signs of childbirth. Spicy food also allegedly causes the body to release prostaglandin hormones through the digestive process, which triggers uterine contractions.
However, the theory that spicy food can speed up births is flatly rejected by the medical world. Reporting from WebMD, Tery Harper, MD, an expert in maternal and child medicine, even said that there is no connection between the food stored in the stomach and the work of the uterine muscles to contract. "Until now, there has not been a single scientific study that can prove that spicy food can trigger labor," said Harper.
Elizabeth Stein, a midwife in New York, agrees with this statement. Stein says, "There is no natural, proven effective and safe way to speed up labor." There is no food that can encourage labor. The only reliable way to speed up child birth is by hospital medical induction involving drugs.
So, why do so many women report that spicy food can trigger labor? This may depart from suggestion. Some people can experience stomach cramps after eating spicy food, which is often seen as an early sign of contractions. In fact, stomach cramps are caused by gas buildup from gastric symptoms and stomach acid reflux. These two things are common problems for people who eat spicy food, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.
So, should pregnant women not eat spicy food?
If you want to keep trying, it can't hurt. What you have to pay attention to is the portion. Don't take it too much, until your trial and error causes heartburn or even diarrhea.
Here are some tips if you want to eat spicy foods, such as:
- Accompany spicy food with a glass of milk to help minimize heartburn.
- One tablespoon of honey can also help prevent heartburn after eating spicy foods.
However, it is important for you to know that avoiding spicy foods is certainly your best step to maintain the health of you and your fetus. Continue to consume foods recommended by doctors so that you and your fetus are still well-nourished.
x