Labor Prep: False or Fact?

by Krista Walters - dietetic intern

You are in the last stretch of your pregnancy journey. The time to meet your little one is approaching and I am sure there are a million things running through your head. It’s a lot, I get it. Your to-do list includes anything from preparing the home, finishing the nursery, cooking and freezing meals, or whatever else is important before baby comes, but what about preparing your body physically? I had my beautiful baby girl last year and I remember wondering how I could best prepare my body for what it is about to experience in labor and delivery. 

It is overwhelming how much information is out there about labor prep. There are many misconceptions about how to prepare your body for labor, especially when it comes to what is trending. Social media amplifies information and isn’t the most reliable of sources. Nutrition posts shared through apps are not necessarily always backed by evidence so it makes it difficult to determine what is false or fact. It is important to remember that every journey is different, and what may work for some people may not work for others. In this blog post, we will go over the top trending nutrition hacks for labor prep and if they really work based on the research. Keep in mind that this is just a review of research and you should speak to your dietitian or provider before trying these methods.

Raspberry Leaf Tea 

Raspberry leaf tea is one of the most common hacks for labor prep, but what does it actually do for the body? This tea contains the compound fragarine that helps tighten and tone pelvic muscles and promotes blood flow to the uterus. Although it does not cause labor-inducing contractions, it positively influences the course of labor in many ways. Research shows that consuming this tea can reduce the duration of labor, lower the rate of delivery by forms of cesarean section, obstetric forceps or vacuum. Studies also show that the substances contained in raspberries have strong antioxidant properties and can impact cervical ripening in the days leading up to birth. Although it may not induce labor, it can contribute to a more efficient labor process, especially in the second stage of labor. This tea is a great addition to your daily fluid intake and relieving effects from nausea and lower abdominal pains and potentially prevents hemorrhoids (very common after delivery from constipation or pushing for extended periods of time!). If you are a tea drinker, you will surely enjoy drinking 1-3 cups a day with this labor prep method. If you aren’t, try out some fun recipes! Pregnancy Safety Note: we recommend waiting until the third trimester to incorporate red raspberry leaf, and speaking with your dietitian and doctor about any medication interactions. 

Dates

You may have heard that the magic number of dates is 6 per day in the last month of pregnancy. It sounds overwhelming, especially if you don’t enjoy them, but this fibrous fruit contains many compounds that benefit the labor process. Dates contain gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which is an omega-6 fatty acid that is a precursor to prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are important hormones produced by uterine cells that help the cervix stretch and soften, and also stimulate contractions, accelerating labor and moving the baby through the canal. The compounds found in dates also mimic the effects of oxytocin increasing uterine sensitivity and decreasing rates of postpartum hemorrhage. Dates have also been seen to help in the labor process, reducing active phase labor and improving bishop cervix score. 

The energy required for labor and delivery is 50-100 calories per hour, and dates contain enough glucose to supply the body with energy it needs. Because they also contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals, dates are a great option to add to your pre-delivery snacks. You can add dates to smoothies, or make some yummy snacks! Check out some recipes here. Speak to your provider if you have diabetes due to the sugar content of dates, but know that paired with protein and fat, they may still work great for your blood sugars.

Pineapple

There are plenty of health benefits in pineapple, including the enzyme bromelain that is great for inflammation, reducing swelling and pain. It is mainly found in the core of the pineapple but is integrated in bottled pineapple juice as well. Research discusses that this enzyme has potential to soften cervix and initiate contractions by stimulating prostaglandin secretion. Although research is contradictory, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology states that there is insufficient evidence that pineapple consumption can induce labor and effects on uterine stimulation. Regardless, consuming pineapple is safe during pregnancy and has many nutrients, helps hydrate and constipation because of the fiber content, and is anti-inflammatory. Using pineapple for labor prep? That is for you to decide!

Papaya

Like pineapple, this tropical fruit native to Central America and Mexico is also high in the enzyme bromelain. In some parts of the world, it is completely avoided during pregnancy due to possible premature labor, but other cultures may recommend incorporating it as part of labor preparation. Essentially, very ripe papaya shows no adverse outcomes in pregnancy, but unripe papaya contains high amounts of latex. This form of latex contains an enzyme called papain that may cause uterine contractions. Studies show that consuming excessive amounts of unripe papaya is not recommended because of the content of latex leading to potential dangers that include preterm labor and delivery and possible miscarriage. Discuss any concerns with your dietitian. 

Spicy Foods

You may have heard that spicy foods can help get your body ready for labor. Although they are 100% safe to consume, there is no evidence that spicy foods induce labor. Some may say spicy foods can increase gastrointestinal stimulation leading to uterine contractions, but what you are feeling is probably just irritation and cramping. So if you are craving those spicy pickles or Hot Cheetos, dig in. Watch out for the heartburn!

Castor Oil

Believe it or not, castor oil was used to prepare for labor in ancient times and even recently by midwives as a traditional method of labor stimulation. Castor oil is made from the bean of the castor plant that is known to have laxative effects causing diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and dehydration. It is not always recommended because of these unwanted effects, but it has also been shown to stimulate contractions within the bowels and uterus, and may increase the prevalence of vaginal delivery over C-section delivery. In contrast, some studies suggest there is need for more evidence to say that castor oil is an effective therapy for cervical ripening and labor induction due to the lack of differences between using castor oil and a placebo. Discuss safe implementation with your healthcare team.

Evening Primrose Oil

This vaginal suppository is rich in fatty acids, including GLA, that are then converted into prostaglandins and essentially may soften cervix leading up to delivery. Like many of these labor preparation tactics, there are contradictory findings in research, some stress that there is lack of evidence of effectiveness and safety while others mention that evening primrose oil helps prepare the cervix for labor. Interestingly, there is evidence that using evening primrose oil significantly improved Bishop cervix score. This podcast episode from Evidence Based Birth dives into the use of evening primrose oil, and might help you and your provider decide whether it’s right for you. If you are interested in incorporating evening primrose to your supplement regimen, talk to your healthcare team about third-party-tested brands and dosage.

I’ve made a summary table below to help you and your provider decide together what methods might be right for you!

Labor Prep Methods: A Summary

If you are pregnant and wondering how to prepare your body for labor, postpartum in need of nutrition advice for lactation or recovery, or in any stage of your fertility journey, we would love to support you! Apply for 1:1 nutrition counseling with our team of registered dietitians today.

If you are looking for a fun and informational social media page to brighten up your FYP, check out Feed Your Zest on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, and Tik Tok! And, don’t forget to tune into McKenzie’s new podcast, The Zesty Dietitian, to follow along with her as she guides you through weight inclusive nutrition topics for reproductive health. You can find out more here.