The Science Behind Eating Dates to Prepare for Labor
Pregnancy Podcast
Vanessa Merten
4.5 • 970 Ratings
🗓️ 22 February 2026
⏱️ 21 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Can eating a specific fruit in your final weeks of pregnancy actually change how your labor goes? Multiple studies have examined whether eating dates in the final weeks of pregnancy affects cervical dilation, labor length, and intervention rates. This episode breaks down the research, explains the theory behind why dates may have these effects, and provides the practical details you need to decide whether it is worth trying.
Full article and resources for this episode: https://pregnancypodcast.com/dates/
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You are listening to the pregnancy podcast with Vanessa Merton. |
| 0:10.1 | Hello, thank you for tuning into the pregnancy podcast. In today's episode, we're going to discuss |
| 0:17.1 | whether eating dates towards the end of your pregnancy can actually shorten or make |
| 0:22.3 | your labor easier. You can find the full article and all of the links and resources that accompany |
| 0:28.4 | this episode at pregnancypodcast.com slash dates. If you are looking for more evidence-based |
| 0:36.7 | content, become a pregnancy podcast premium member. |
| 0:40.6 | Not only will you get an ad-free experience, so you never have to hear advertisements, |
| 0:46.8 | including these ones for pregnancy podcast premium, you also get access to the entire |
| 0:53.3 | catalog of episodes. That includes hundreds of episodes with |
| 0:57.7 | evidence-based content that you won't find anywhere else. Check out Pregnancy Podcast Premium at |
| 1:05.5 | pregnancypodcast.com slash premium. The V-, V-Hush stroller rocker gently rocks your baby's stroller or crib, which helps |
| 1:18.0 | them sleep peacefully wherever you are. |
| 1:20.8 | With a rechargeable battery and amber nightlight and calming sounds, you can soothe your baby |
| 1:26.6 | to sleep anywhere. Save 20% with the code |
| 1:30.5 | VT Podcast 20 and check it out at Pregnancypodcast.com slash stroller rocker. |
| 1:42.0 | Eight sheep organics makes amazing 100% clean natural pregnancy products. |
| 1:48.7 | From skin care to treating common symptoms like stretch marks with clinically proven ingredients, |
| 1:55.0 | eight sheep organics has you covered. |
| 1:57.5 | Every product comes with a 100-day happiness guarantee. |
| 2:01.6 | Try it risk-free, and if you're not 100% happy with your purchase, simply send |
| 2:07.3 | them an email and they'll get you a refund, no questions asked. |
| 2:12.0 | Check out 8-Sheep Organics and save 10% when you go to Pregnancypodcast.com slash eight sheep. |
... |
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