Effects of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on labor and delivery outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Bagherzadeh Karimi A, Elmi A, Mirghafourvand M, Baghervand Navid R · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · 2020 April 14

Objective

This systematic review has been designed to review clinical studies that investigate the effects of date palm fruit on labor outcomes (duration of labor stages, bishop score, and frequency of cesarean section) compared with routine cares.

Conclusions

Meta-Analysis showed that date fruit consumption can significantly reduce active phase of labor, and also it can significantly improve the bishop score. Date fruit consumption had no effects on the duration of first, second, and third stages of labor, and the frequency of cesarean section.

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Insights

Meta-analysis showed that date fruit consumption can significantly reduce the active phase of labor, and also significantly improve the bishop score.

Based on the performed searches, this is the first systematic review conducted on the effects of date on bishop score and frequency of caesarean section, and second one on the effects of date on the duration of labor stages. Meta-analysis showed that the consumption of date fruit can significantly reduce the duration of the active phase and improve the bishop score, and may reduce the frequency of cesarean section in intervention group compared to control group. Based on meta-analysis, date palm fruit consumption resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of active phase of labor compared with control group; however, it is not observed in the first, second, and the third stage of labor.