Nourish and Prepare: The Benefits of Eating Dates for Labor Prep

As a birth doula in Denver, Colorado, I'm always on the lookout for natural ways to support my client’s bodies through the end of pregnancy leading up to the birth. One delicious and effective way to prepare for labor is by incorporating dates into your diet. You might have heard the buzz about dates and labor preparation, but did you know there’s actual evidence to support it? Let's dive into the benefits of eating dates during pregnancy and why you should consider adding this easy date ball recipe to your snack routine!

The Science Behind Dates and Labor

Let's talk about the research. A randomized clinical trial conducted among 182 first-time moms aged 18–35 years at OmAlBanin Hospital in Mashhad in 2013 found some impressive results regarding date consumption and labor. The study compared two groups: 91 pregnant women who consumed 70–76 grams of dates daily from the 37th week of pregnancy and 91 women who did not consume dates.

I’m about to get real nerdy on you with some numbers, but stick with me—it's worth it!

Here’s what they discovered:

• Shorter Active Labor: The average length of the active phase of labor was significantly shorter in the group that consumed dates. In scientific terms, this was statistically significant with a P-value of 0.0001, meaning there’s a very tiny chance (less than 0.01%) that this result was due to random chance. Simply put, eating dates was linked to a shorter active labor phase.

• Reduced Second and Third Phases: Both the second and third phases of labor were also shorter for the date-eating group, with P-values of 0.0001 and 0.004 respectively. This again shows a high level of significance, suggesting that dates can help speed up these crucial stages of labor.

• Spontaneous Labor Benefits: For women who went into labor spontaneously, the second and third phases were notably shorter (P-values of 0.03 and 0.02). This means that dates can be particularly beneficial if your labor starts on its own.

• Less Need for Oxytocin: The use of oxytocin to accelerate labor was significantly lower in the date-consuming group, with a P-value of less than 0.001. This indicates a very strong likelihood that eating dates reduces the need for labor-accelerating interventions.

In short, eating dates in late pregnancy was shown to decrease the length of labor and reduce the need for labor augmentation methods like oxytocin. For those without contraindications, adding dates to your diet could be a beneficial (and yummy!) strategy.

Easy No-Bake Date Ball Recipe

Now that we’ve established why dates are a great addition to your late pregnancy diet, here’s a delicious and easy no-bake date ball recipe to help you incorporate them into your daily routine!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted

• 1/2 cup almonds

• 1/2 cup walnuts

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional)

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• A pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare Dates: If your dates are a bit dry, soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them up. Drain well.

2. Blend Nuts: In a food processor, blend the almonds and walnuts until they are finely chopped.

3. Add Ingredients: Add the dates, shredded coconut, chia seeds, cocoa powder (if using), coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt to the food processor.

4. Process: Pulse until the mixture is well combined and sticky.

5. Form Balls: Scoop out small amounts of the mixture and roll into balls. If the mixture is too sticky, wet your hands slightly to make rolling easier.

6. Chill: Place the date balls on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

These date balls are not only great for labor preparation but also a perfect snack for any time of the day. They are packed with nutrients and energy to keep you going through the final weeks of pregnancy!

The bottom line is that adding dates to your diet is a simple yet effective way to prepare your body for labor. This easy date ball recipe makes it convenient to enjoy the benefits of dates while satisfying your sweet tooth. As a birth doula I highly recommend trying these no-bake date balls to support your labor preparation naturally. If you’re curious about more ways to prepare for a positive birth experience, check out my instagram here: @madison.doula, and if you’re searching for a doula in Denver, I would love to chat with you!

Remember, every small step you take towards educating yourself and preparing for birth can make a big difference. Enjoy these delicious date balls and take comfort in knowing you’re supporting your body in the best way possible!

For more detailed information on the evidence I talked about, you can check out the study here.