22/01/2026
A study found that pregnant women who ate just six dates a day during the four weeks before their due date experienced significant benefits during labor. They arrived at the hospital 74% more dilated, had a 77% shorter first stage of labor, and were 42% less likely to need a caesarean section.
Researchers believe this is because dates contain nutrients that influence oxytocin receptors, helping the cervix and uterus prepare for labor. The fruit enhances the body’s response to oxytocin and other labor-supporting hormones, while also providing natural energy from sugars and fats. Dates are rich in prostaglandins, which help the cervix soften and dilate, as well as serotonin, calcium, and tannins that strengthen uterine contractions.
By stimulating prostaglandin production and improving uterine sensitivity to oxytocin, dates support stronger, more efficient contractions and faster cervical ripening. This combination shortens the first stage of labor and reduces the likelihood of complications that lead to c-sections.
Most experts recommend that women begin eating about six dates a day starting at 37 weeks of pregnancy to support a smoother, more natural labor process.
