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Original poster

I did it. I've eaten the dates.

37 replies

addler · 20/10/2020 15:27

It took twenty minutes. I managed two.

Will have to build up to six. Is there a way of making them more palatable?!

I even prefer the raspberry leaf capsules to this.

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NWnature · 20/10/2020 15:40

Good luck, I just hold my nose. They are so disgusting!

I’ve gone majorly overdue (40+10) however when the midwife did a sweep she said my cervix was very stretchy so maybe they are helping a bit!

Could you try blending them into a smoothie if you like smoothies?

EssentialHummus · 20/10/2020 15:46

Grin My NCT group got through loads of dates - this thread is bringing back memories!

All the babies were late though, not sure how much we achieved.

Mc3209 · 20/10/2020 15:48

Which type of dates are you eating? I like medjool ones more than deglet nour, medjool are bigger and more caramel than sugar. Maybe try those?

Hairbrush767 · 20/10/2020 15:49

Eat them with peanut butter, really tasty!

CountFosco · 20/10/2020 15:51

YABU dates are delicious.

SqidgeBum · 20/10/2020 15:52

Dates? Is this a 'bringing on labour' thing? I am 38+1. I know it's not technically overdue, but I am fed up. I have never heard of dates helping but I will try it if it works.

Anyone have any other tried and tested methods?

HelpMeh · 20/10/2020 15:53

As above, what dates are you eating? Good dates are delicious? Sweet and chewy, sticky toffee pudding goodness.

BigusBumus · 20/10/2020 15:55

Take the stone from the middle of Medjool dates and fill the cavity with Philidelphia......... yum!

Qwom · 20/10/2020 15:55

@sqidgebum - I was drinking raspberry left tea and popping EPO capsules up close to the cervix and DS arrived a week early!

Have never heard of dates being a thing though. Pineapple but not dates...

Sairafina · 20/10/2020 15:57

@SqidgeBum we must have the same due date! Like you, getting fed up 😂

Started the raspberry leaf tea yesterday and my Carolina Reaper plant has plenty of chilies on so that's next! Hadn't heard of dates being a thing... will add to the list

Original poster
addler · 20/10/2020 16:04

There have been small studies showing women who ate six dates a day in late pregnancy had better 'cervical ripening' and needed fewer inductions, a higher chance of going into labour on their own and were more dilated when attending hospital.

Who knows if it'll help but I thought I'd give it a try!

They're medjool dates that I've got, I just find them SO sweet. I was only able to get through two with peanut butter like a pp said! But will have to try cream cheese, can't imagine what that's like!

I lived in the Middle East for two years and refused the box of dates every time I was offered gahwa, I wish I had built up a tolerance now!

OP posts:
AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings · 20/10/2020 16:18

Stuff with peanut butter and dip in dark chocolate. Leave to set.

Or blend in a smoothie.

Caspianberg · 20/10/2020 16:23

I ate 6 every day. Baby was born this May on exact due date. No idea if they helped but labour was short so hopefully.

I found them sickly sweet. Used to add 3-4 to my granola/ muesli each morning, and the milk seemed to dull the sweetness a bit. Then eat the others later

Original poster
addler · 20/10/2020 16:42

Oh I didn't think of adding them to breakfast! Anything to take the sweetness away. Maybe porridge as well? Or I could just eat enormous helpings of sticky toffee pudding a day. How much would I need to eat to make up 6 dates?

OP posts:
Temple29 · 20/10/2020 17:03

I used to add them to porridge in the morning when I was pregnant with my first child. I was induced anyway for preeclampsia but labour was quick so maybe they helped.

I also baked them into banana muffins and left out the sugar in the recipe!

catlikefi · 20/10/2020 17:11

I second chopping them up quite small and adding them to porridge. It helps dilute the sweetness a little and you can get through half of the daily amount in one go!

TheFoz · 20/10/2020 17:22

You can make flapjacks with them too.

Semele5069 · 20/10/2020 18:31

Look up the Deliciously Ella recipe for raw date and hazelnut brownies! That's basically a load of dates whizzed up with cocoa and hazelnuts, no flour at all. She uses them in lots of recipes. The energy balls are good too. You might be able to kid yourself you're having multiple desserts a day!

flashbac · 20/10/2020 19:35

Medjool dates are cloyingly sweet. You need a date with a more in depth flavour. Ajwa, safawi or similar.

Hatscats · 20/10/2020 20:27

The medjool ones are amazing! Like a toffee!

Mum2b2020 · 20/10/2020 20:32

You only need to eat 2 of the larger mejool dates. 70g day I believe it is.

Be warned, it advances the second stage of labour so you may not want to go home even if the hospital sends you home during early/mid labour. I was sent home 12 hours after my water broke as they said I was still only 4cm. I dont overly believe them as my contractions were 3 in 10 kins etc. Anyway within an hour I had to get back tk the hospital and I was fully dilated and too late for planned waterbirds or epidural.

Mum2b2020 · 20/10/2020 20:33

So many typos but you get the gist...

sqirrelfriends · 20/10/2020 20:42

YABU, dates are amazing

I hope they work for you, being overdue is the worst.

ttcchapter1 · 20/10/2020 21:17

Interesting thread, from how many weeks should you start eating 6 a day? I'd do anything for a quick and easy labour 🤣

SunSparkle · 20/10/2020 21:49

smittenkitchen.com/2016/04/palm-springs-date-shake-monkey-flip/

Date milkshake? Might be easier to swallow them down in tasty shake format.

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