Table of contents:
- The benefits of dates for pregnant women before delivery
- 1. Supplying natural oxytocin so as to accelerate contractions
- 2. Faster opening process
- 3. The amniotic fluid is not easily broken
- 4. The delivery process is smoother
Dates are a source of potassium for the body and contain other important nutrients, such as magnesium, copper and manganese. Well, according to a study from Jordan University of Science and Technology published by the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, women who regularly eat dates during late pregnancy are reported to have had a smoother normal labor process without the need to rely on medical induction from a doctor. The following is a further explanation of the benefits of dates for pregnant women and childbirth.
The benefits of dates for pregnant women before delivery
Here are some of the benefits of dates for pregnant women before childbirth.
1. Supplying natural oxytocin so as to accelerate contractions
Dates produce the hormone oxytocin which functions to stimulate uterine contractions and facilitate labor. During childbirth, weak contractions will usually be given additional oxytocin through a needle to re-strengthen the uterine contractions. In the postpartum period, this hormone will be released when the baby is breastfeeding. The increase in this hormone in the postpartum period will accelerate the process of stopping bleeding and the process of restoring the anatomy and function of the uterus.
In that study, the group of pregnant women who ate dates at the end of pregnancy required lower use of oxytocin than the group who did not regularly consume dates.
2. Faster opening process
The uterus will dilate or open to start the labor process. The opening of the uterus usually takes place from the initial opening to its full opening (10 cm wide).
In the above study, the group of pregnant women who ate dates late in their pregnancy reported a more progressive opening on arrival at the hospital.
3. The amniotic fluid is not easily broken
The amniotic fluid is a membrane filled with fluid that covers the entire body of the baby in the womb. The amniotic sac will burst before the baby is born. However, it is also possible that the membranes broke prematurely. Premature rupture of the membranes can invite a number of complications, including infection and inflammation of the amniotic membrane.
In this study, the group of pregnant women who ate dates had stronger membranes and did not break easily until the time for labor arrived compared to the group of pregnant women who did not eat dates.
4. The delivery process is smoother
In that study, 96% of the group of pregnant women who consumed dates experienced smoother normal labor. Meanwhile, pregnant women who do not consume dates regularly, the normal birth rate only reaches 79 percent.
To get the benefits of dates, the study suggests pregnant women to consume six dates per day for the four weeks preceding the estimated due date.
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