Labor of Love: How Dates Can Ease Childbirth

Phoenix Dactylifera

Feb 13, 2025

Ancient Use

The consumption of dates during the later stages of pregnancy has been a long-standing tradition in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. In Traditional Persian Medicine and Islamic culture, dates are regarded as highly medicinal, particularly for labor. Evidence of date palm cultivation dates back as far as 5000 B.C. in southern Mesopotamia.

Relevant Physiology

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, playing a critical role in the female reproductive system, especially during labor and lactation. The term "oxytocin" translates to "quick birth" in Greek, named after its uterine-contracting properties discovered in the early 1900s (1).

Today, exogenous oxytocin is widely used in hospitals to promote and strengthen uterine contractions, aiding in successful vaginal deliveries. It is commonly administered for preeclampsia (severely high blood pressure during pregnancy), premature rupture of membranes, and cases where labor needs to be induced due to uterine inactivity. Additionally, oxytocin is given postpartum to facilitate placenta delivery and control hemorrhage (2).

Relevant Phytochemicals

One of the key phytochemicals in dates is genistein, a phytoestrogen belonging to the isoflavone class. Structurally similar to estrogen, genistein has been shown to improve bone density in postmenopausal women (3,4). Notably, genistein has a 20-fold greater affinity for Estrogen receptor-β than for Estrogen receptor-α, the latter of which is associated with some adverse effects like increased breast cancer cell migration (5).

Studies show that genistein can stimulate the oxytocin system in ovariectomized rats (6). However, research on genistein supplementation across different mammalian species has produced mixed results, sometimes negatively affecting ovarian function and reproduction. In contrast, studies using whole date extracts—rather than isolated genistein—demonstrate oxytocin-like effects, including uterine contractions, without harming the fetus (7).

This underscores a key distinction between Western medicine, which often isolates a single active compound, and traditional ethnobotanical medicine, which relies on the synergistic effects of multiple phytochemicals within a plant. The latter approach has stood the test of time, producing beneficial outcomes that may be lost when compounds are studied in isolation.

Studies on Dates and Labor Outcomes

A prospective, placebo-controlled study of 114 women examined the effects of consuming six dates per day for four weeks before their estimated delivery date and found:

Significantly greater cervical dilation upon hospital admission compared to non-date consumers.
A higher proportion of intact membranes.
Spontaneous labor in 96% of date consumers vs. 79% of non-consumers.
Reduced need for exogenous oxytocin (28% in date consumers vs. 47% in non-consumers).
Shorter duration of first stage of labor (510 minutes vs 906 minutes)

These findings suggest that dates improve cervical dilation and membrane integrity, both of which are associated with smoother labor and fewer complications (8).

As previously mentioned, exogenous oxytocin is used in hospitals to initiate and strengthen contractions. Date extracts have been shown to naturally increase oxytocin levels in pregnant mice, with effects lasting throughout pregnancy (9). The decreased need for IV oxytocin in women who consumed dates is likely due to increased endogenous oxytocin stimulated by phytochemicals in dates.

In a randomized, controlled study involving 89 women, consuming seven rutab dates on the day of delivery significantly shortened the first stage of labor to 210.14 ± 177.13 minutes, compared to 362.46 ± 292.12 minutes in the control group. Additionally, the APGAR score at 5 minutes (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration of the baby) was significantly higher in the date group (10).
A randomized, controlled study of 77 women revealed that those who regularly ate 7 dates (average of 80 grams) starting at 36 weeks of gestation were less likely to require IV oxytocin to hasten delivery, with no adverse effects on mothers or infants. In the date group, the latent phase of labor was 527 ± 364 minutes compared to 724 ± 594 minutes in the control group (11).
A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight trials concluded that dates:

Reduced the duration of the active phase of labor.
Improved Bishop scores (a measure predicting readiness for labor based on cervical dilation, effacement, and consistency) (12).

Study on Dates and Preeclampsia

Given that IV oxytocin is approved for the treatment of preeclampsia, it is noteworthy that a randomized controlled trial of 40 women found that consuming seven ajwa dates daily:

Significantly lowered mean arterial blood pressure.
Reduced the risk of preeclampsia.
In the control group, median arterial pressure increased from 93 mmHg to 103 mmHg, whereas the date-consuming group saw a decrease from 100 mmHg to 83 mmHg (13).

Beyond labor, date palm fruit may also benefit postpartum health. In lactating mice, it has been shown to increase prolactin and insulin-like growth factors, both of which are essential for milk production (14). In Middle Eastern cultures, dates have long been used to support lactation alongside other medicinal plants, which will be discussed in future articles.

Safety

While dates contain natural sugars that may raise blood sugar levels, they are generally safe to consume with no major side effects. However, their high fiber content may cause bloating, gas, or constipation in some individuals. It’s best to start with four dates per day and gradually increase to seven if no digestive issues arise. Be sure to talk with your healthcare professional to make sure they have no objections to date consumption.

Dates can sometimes be susceptible to fungal infections, particularly from Aspergillus, though these are typically identified and removed before packaging. As an added precaution, consider cutting dates in half before eating to check for any abnormalities or black spores.

Fun Facts

The birth of Jesus is mentioned in the Qur'an, and interestingly, dates are specifically referenced. After the birth of Jesus, a voice from heaven tells Mother Mary:

"Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards thee: it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon thee. Eat, then, and drink, and let thine eye be gladdened!" (Qur’an 19:25-26).

Date palms may also promote male reproductive health.

Cadmium, a toxic compound that impairs sperm production, induces oxidative stress in the testes. Mice studies show that date palm extract reverses this damage, restoring spermatogenesis (15).
Similar results were observed in diabetic rats with pituitary-testicular dysfunction, where date palm extract improved testicular function (16).

Personal Experience

After learning about the potential benefits of dates for labor, I began recommending them to many pregnant friends and family members.

One of my close friends has a rare bleeding disorder, making a C-section too risky due to the high chance of hemorrhage. During her pregnancy, she reached out to me for advice on natural ways to support safe labor. Without hesitation, I recommended dates and shared the research outlined above.

While I can't say that dates were the sole reason for her smooth delivery, she had a successful induction without the need for any IV oxytocin—just two doses of misoprostol and a Cook’s balloon. Two months ago, she sent me a Christmas card with a photo of her beautiful baby girl, a reminder of how blending ancient wisdom with modern biochemistry can have profound implications for health and childbirth.

When I told her I was including her story in my Substack article on dates, she responded: 'I still credit you and those dates for such a successful induction—no Pitocin!'"

Recommendations

Based on studies and traditional use, consuming dates from 36 weeks of pregnancy or about four weeks before delivery appears optimal. Interestingly, one study found noticeable benefits even when dates were consumed only on the day of delivery.
The amount of dates recommended seems to be around 60-80 grams or around 4-7 regular sized dates. If you are consuming larger dates, it may be best to base it off weight.
Consuming dates post-partum seems to have continued benefits on lactation.
Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional to make sure they have no objections to consumption of dates during pregnancy.

Future Research

Given the centuries-old reputation of dates in improving labor outcomes—now supported by modern scientific research—it is evident that dates exert beneficial oxytocin-like effects. However, the exact combination of phytochemicals responsible remains unclear.

I highlighted genistein as one potential contributor due to its estrogen-like properties, but it is likely that a combination of phytoestrogens and other active compounds in dates produces this effect.

Further studies are needed to identify and understand the precise mechanisms behind the labor-enhancing properties of dates. A deeper understanding of these compounds could have significant implications for modern healthcare, potentially reducing the need for IV oxytocin and improving maternal-fetal outcomes.

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References:

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Yu L, Rios E, Castro L, Liu J, Yan Y, Dixon D. Genistein: Dual Role in Women's Health. Nutrients. 2021 Aug 30;13(9):3048. doi: 10.3390/nu13093048. PMID: 34578926; PMCID: PMC8472782.
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Wang D, Gutkowska J, Marcinkiewicz M, Rachelska G, Jankowski M. Genistein supplementation stimulates the oxytocin system in the aorta of ovariectomized rats. Cardiovasc Res. 2003 Jan;57(1):186-94. doi: 10.1016/s0008-6363(02)00655-7. PMID: 12504828.
O.D, Omodamiro, & Rachel Majekodunmi, Omodamiro & O.C, Kanu, & Obeagu, Emmanuel. (2024). Oxytocic and Abortifacient Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Date Fruit (Phoenix Dactylifera) in Albino Rats. 2. 40-59.
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Agustina, Eva et al. “Effect of Extract Meat Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) to Oxytocin Levels in Pregnant Mice (Mus musculus L.).” (2017).
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