Disclaimer: Besmillah. I am not a medical professional, I am just providing information from reliable sources about things that have worked for me. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the topics I write about, do your own research so you can make the right decision for yourself. If you are unsure about using these remedies and aids, consult a Doctor that you trust.
Dates are of great importance to people in the Middle East, they sustained the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him), they have saved nations from famine, and have been a major source of nutrition for everyone here for thousands upon thousands of years.
Packed with fiber, this carb-rich little fruit has amazing dietary and medicinal benefits! A single date is considered a major source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and to a lesser extent, iron magnesium and zinc. They also contain Vitamins B1, 2 (crucial during pregnancy), 3 and 5, as well as vitamins A and C. 3 dates a day have been shown to lower cholesterol, improve bone health, promote digestion, and help with blood sugar regulation.
In Saudi Arabia we are lucky enough to have many varieties of dates available, from expensive Sukkary dates, to fresh dates straight from the palm. In Islam, it is considered a medicine, and it is Sunnah to break our fasts with dates to promote regulation and good health.
Narrated Salman ibn Amir: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates; but if he cannot get any, then (he should break his fast) with water, for water is purifying.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 13 Hadith 2348
I wasn't fully aware of the importance of medicinal benefits of dates when I converted to Islam. In Canada, we generally have access to two varieties: hard Algerian dates and Iranian dates. My eyes were opened to the many varieties between dates when I moved to Saudi Arabia, and how they are perceived as one as the most essential and blessed foods in Islam and throughout Arab history.
Delving deeper into the benefits of the date, I learned that it was the tree that Maryam birthed Isa (Jesus).
The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She exclaimed: "Oh, if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!" (Notice how Maryam pleads for death over the pain of childbirth, as I'm sure many of us can relate to. Note what she is told to do next:) A voice called out to her from under her: "Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink, and delight your eyes. If you should see anyone at all, just say: 'I have made a vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and [so] today I will not speak to any human being.'" (Surah Maryam: 23-26)
She is told to drink water and eat from the date palm, not to worry and to stay relaxed. She is told to take care of herself first and foremost, forgo questioning from other people and not to panic. This is incredible advice to any woman in the throws of labour!
Now, this isn't a religiously motivated blog (because I want everyone to benefit), but you can see that in the course of history and with it's importance in religion, the date is revered. For the Muslimah, this solidifies her faith. For the modern mother, this is an ancient wisdom that we have proven with science in recent years.
6 to 7 dates a day have been scientifically proven to shorten the duration of labour and provide the essential caloric needs to prepare for the labour, as well as enegry boosts to the mother during labour. They are light on the stomach, they aid in using the bathroom after birth (a very uncomfortable, oft-forgotten, unpleasant situation after birth).
When I was in labour for days with D1, I barely ate. I truly believe that impacted my progress and contributed to my exhaustion. Many hospitals prevent the mother from eating, providing ice, water and nothing else. We've all heard to keep meals light before labour, what is lighter than a handful of dates? Unless you has been afflicted with Gestational Diabetes or you have Insulin Resistance and you are put on a very strict low-carb diet, I highly advise any woman to bring dates to the hospital or have them nearby at a homebirth! Your body needs that energy. Your baby will receive those nutrients, too!
Dates help by assisting your body in the release of oxytocin which contracts the uterus.It is also proven that the complex fatty acids in dates aid in producing prostaglandins that thin the cervix. It's mentioned that dates should be eaten a certain way to reap all of these benefits:
I have been eating dates through my pregnancy, even in the 2nd Trimester because I was fasting Ramadan during the majority of that time and I needed the caloric density of the dates to help me sustain the baby. Now that I'm 32 weeks, I have started to eat 3 a day, and I will up that every 2 weeks. At 34 I will eat 4 and at 36 I will eat 6.
I hope this article has inspired mothers who haven't tried dates to support pregnancy and aid labour! Every little thing helps, and in terms of empowering yourself and taking control of your labour! Eating dates is an easy way to do something that is proven to help while also enjoying a delicious snack. Win win!
It's worth a try, relatively risk free. I would consult your doctor about the consumption of dates if you suffer from Gestational Diabetes.
Down below I have provided 3 links about dates being a huge benefit to Women's Health! Check them out and be sure to do your own research, you won't regret it!
Much love!
Dates are of great importance to people in the Middle East, they sustained the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him), they have saved nations from famine, and have been a major source of nutrition for everyone here for thousands upon thousands of years.
Packed with fiber, this carb-rich little fruit has amazing dietary and medicinal benefits! A single date is considered a major source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and to a lesser extent, iron magnesium and zinc. They also contain Vitamins B1, 2 (crucial during pregnancy), 3 and 5, as well as vitamins A and C. 3 dates a day have been shown to lower cholesterol, improve bone health, promote digestion, and help with blood sugar regulation.
In Saudi Arabia we are lucky enough to have many varieties of dates available, from expensive Sukkary dates, to fresh dates straight from the palm. In Islam, it is considered a medicine, and it is Sunnah to break our fasts with dates to promote regulation and good health.
Narrated Salman ibn Amir: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates; but if he cannot get any, then (he should break his fast) with water, for water is purifying.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 13 Hadith 2348
I wasn't fully aware of the importance of medicinal benefits of dates when I converted to Islam. In Canada, we generally have access to two varieties: hard Algerian dates and Iranian dates. My eyes were opened to the many varieties between dates when I moved to Saudi Arabia, and how they are perceived as one as the most essential and blessed foods in Islam and throughout Arab history.
Delving deeper into the benefits of the date, I learned that it was the tree that Maryam birthed Isa (Jesus).
The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She exclaimed: "Oh, if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!" (Notice how Maryam pleads for death over the pain of childbirth, as I'm sure many of us can relate to. Note what she is told to do next:) A voice called out to her from under her: "Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink, and delight your eyes. If you should see anyone at all, just say: 'I have made a vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and [so] today I will not speak to any human being.'" (Surah Maryam: 23-26)
She is told to drink water and eat from the date palm, not to worry and to stay relaxed. She is told to take care of herself first and foremost, forgo questioning from other people and not to panic. This is incredible advice to any woman in the throws of labour!
Now, this isn't a religiously motivated blog (because I want everyone to benefit), but you can see that in the course of history and with it's importance in religion, the date is revered. For the Muslimah, this solidifies her faith. For the modern mother, this is an ancient wisdom that we have proven with science in recent years.
6 to 7 dates a day have been scientifically proven to shorten the duration of labour and provide the essential caloric needs to prepare for the labour, as well as enegry boosts to the mother during labour. They are light on the stomach, they aid in using the bathroom after birth (a very uncomfortable, oft-forgotten, unpleasant situation after birth).
When I was in labour for days with D1, I barely ate. I truly believe that impacted my progress and contributed to my exhaustion. Many hospitals prevent the mother from eating, providing ice, water and nothing else. We've all heard to keep meals light before labour, what is lighter than a handful of dates? Unless you has been afflicted with Gestational Diabetes or you have Insulin Resistance and you are put on a very strict low-carb diet, I highly advise any woman to bring dates to the hospital or have them nearby at a homebirth! Your body needs that energy. Your baby will receive those nutrients, too!
Dates help by assisting your body in the release of oxytocin which contracts the uterus.It is also proven that the complex fatty acids in dates aid in producing prostaglandins that thin the cervix. It's mentioned that dates should be eaten a certain way to reap all of these benefits:
- In the First Trimester, up to 13 weeks, 3 dates a day should suffice in providing the vitamins and nutrition you need to support a forming fetus.
- In the Second Trimester, due to the change and surge in hormone regulation, women are told to avoid eating too many dates because all women (healthy, fit, fat, and otherwise) are a risk of developing Gestational Diabetes.
- At about 30 weeks, gearing for your Third Trimester, a mother can resume eating 3 dates and increasing the number of dates to 6 or 7 by 36 weeks. One should take this many dates every day leading up to the onset of labour. On the day you go into labour, be sure to eat the dates slowly throughout the labour to give you a boost in energy.
I have been eating dates through my pregnancy, even in the 2nd Trimester because I was fasting Ramadan during the majority of that time and I needed the caloric density of the dates to help me sustain the baby. Now that I'm 32 weeks, I have started to eat 3 a day, and I will up that every 2 weeks. At 34 I will eat 4 and at 36 I will eat 6.
I hope this article has inspired mothers who haven't tried dates to support pregnancy and aid labour! Every little thing helps, and in terms of empowering yourself and taking control of your labour! Eating dates is an easy way to do something that is proven to help while also enjoying a delicious snack. Win win!
It's worth a try, relatively risk free. I would consult your doctor about the consumption of dates if you suffer from Gestational Diabetes.
Down below I have provided 3 links about dates being a huge benefit to Women's Health! Check them out and be sure to do your own research, you won't regret it!
Much love!
- https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-eating-dates-to-start-labor/
- http://harunyahya.com/en/Articles/8190/maryam-and-the-birth-of
- http://www.momjunction.com/articles/surprising-benefits-of-dates-during-pregnancy_0075704/#gref
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