Date fruit consumption at term: Effect on length of gestation, labour and delivery

Abstract

Labour induction and augmentation with Prostaglandin and Oxytocin are well established as standard practice worldwide. They are safe when used judiciously, but may be associated with maternal and neonatal morbidities. Other safer alternatives have been studied including dates consumption during late pregnancy with various outcomes. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to investigate the effect of date fruit consumption during late pregnancy on the onset of labour and need for induction or augmentation of labour. A total of 154 nulliparous women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy were randomly allocated to either dates-consumer (77) or control group (77). The women in the dates-consumer group had significantly less need for augmentation of labour and longer intervention to delivery interval. There was no significant difference in the onset of spontaneous labour. Dates consumption reduces the need for labour augmentation but does not expedite the onset of labour. Impact statement • Dates fruit consumption during late pregnancy has been shown to positively affect the outcome of labour and delivery. In this study, date consumption reduced the need for labour augmentation with oxytocin but did not expedite the onset of labour. Therefore, dates consumption in late pregnancy is a safe supplement to be considered as it reduced the need for labour intervention without any adverse effect on the mother and child. This further supports the finding of earlier studies.

Effects of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on labor and delivery outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…We gathered 1531 studies from databases and other hand search sources. Eight of 1531 studies (Eight fulltext papers under six trials) had eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative and quantitative analysis [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Three of them had the same ethic code (910732) (approval code of research ethics committee) and were different reports of one trial [33][34][35].…”

Effect of Saffron with or Without Date Sugar on Intensity of Pain and Anxiety During Labor in Primiparous Females: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

“…It has a high nutritional value and is rich in carbohydrates such as glucose and fructose (70%), protein, B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and tannins (21). Some studies investigated the many medicinal applications of date palm, including antiinflammatory and analgesic effects (22,23), labor induction (23)(24)(25)(26), and sedation (27).…”

Effects of Date Fruit (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) on Labor and Delivery Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…We gathered 1531 studies from databases and other hand search sources. Nine of 1531 studies (Nine full-text papers under six trials) had eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative and quantitative analysis [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. Three of them had the same ethic code (910732) (approval code of research ethics committee) and were different reports of one trial [33][34][35].…”

“…The flowchart of searching and inclusion process of studies is shown in Figure 1(According to PRISMA statement). Five of included studies had used the date palm fruit [33,36,[39][40][41], and one study had used date fruit honey [38]. Descriptions and characteristics of the reviewed studies are shown in Table 1 sizes of these studies were 89 to 210 participants.…”

“…Ages of participants were ranged from 20 to 40. All of these studies had control groups consisting of placebo and routine cares in one study [38], and routine cares in other studies [33,36,[39][40][41]. However, placebo control group was not included in meta-analysis and qualitative analysis.…”