Medjool Dates for Childbirth

(Yumi Dates Trial)

Overseen By Stacey Ehrenberg, M.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic

Disqualifiers: Hypertension, Kidney disease, Diabetes, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 13 weeks

250 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines whether eating Medjool dates can naturally initiate labor and potentially reduce the need for medical interventions like labor induction. Researchers aim to determine if dates can influence labor duration, the need for oxytocin (a hormone used to accelerate labor), and blood loss during childbirth. Participants will either consume dates or receive standard care without dates. Pregnant women carrying one baby, less than 36 weeks along, and planning to deliver at a Cleveland Clinic location may be eligible. As an unphased trial, this study provides participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could improve natural childbirth experiences.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

Is there any evidence suggesting that Medjool date consumption is safe for pregnant women?

Research has shown that eating Medjool dates in late pregnancy is generally safe. Some studies suggest that dates can help shorten labor, indicating good tolerance. Evidence also suggests that dates might lower blood pressure during pregnancy, potentially reducing bleeding after delivery. Overall, these studies have reported no major negative effects, making Medjool dates a promising option for pregnant individuals considering this approach. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the potential of Medjool dates for childbirth because they offer a natural and easily accessible alternative to traditional labor-inducing methods, like medication or surgical interventions. Medjool dates are thought to help soften the cervix and potentially shorten labor time, providing a gentler option for expectant mothers. Unlike synthetic treatments, which can have side effects, dates are a natural fruit, making them appealing as a complementary approach to routine prenatal care.

What evidence suggests that Medjool dates might be an effective treatment for labor onset?

Research has shown that eating Medjool dates in the last four weeks of pregnancy can reduce the need for medical interventions to start or speed up labor. In this trial, participants in the dates consumption group will eat dates alongside routine care. Studies have found that eating dates may shorten labor, although it might not affect the second stage of labor. Evidence also suggests that eating dates could lower blood pressure, potentially reducing bleeding after childbirth. Overall, the findings indicate that Medjool dates can positively impact labor and delivery outcomes. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Stacey Ehrenberg, M.D.

Principal Investigator

The Cleveland Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for pregnant individuals from 34 weeks gestation until delivery. Participants should be interested in the potential effects of Medjool dates on childbirth outcomes. Those with dietary restrictions or health conditions that prevent date consumption cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I can make my own decisions and agree to participate in research.

Able to speak, read and understand English

Planned delivery at a Cleveland Clinic Institution

Exclusion Criteria

Delivery at an outside institution

Incomplete delivery data

Planned induction of labor prior to 41 weeks

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants consume Medjool dates from 34 weeks gestation through the day after delivery

13 weeks

Daily surveys (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for labor and delivery outcomes, including spontaneous labor and need for labor induction

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Medjool dates

Trial Overview The study tests if eating Medjool dates starting at 34 weeks gestation affects the start and process of labor, including spontaneous labor onset, length of labor, need for oxytocin, and blood loss during delivery.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Dates consumption group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will eat dates in addition to routine care

Group II: No dates group Active Control 1 Intervention

Subjects will receive routine care only.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The Cleveland Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,072

Recruited

1,377,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21280989/

The effect of late pregnancy consumption of date fruit on ... It is concluded that the consumption of date fruit in the last 4 weeks before labour significantly reduced the need for induction and augmentation of labour.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07058792

Impact of Medjool Date Consumption on Labor and ... The study is a randomized controlled trial evaluating labor outcomes for pregnant patients who begin Medjool date consumption during the 34th ...

3. bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-023-06196-y

Is oral consumption of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L. fruit) in the ... Meta-analyses revealed that dates consumption in late pregnancy significantly shortened the length of gestation and labor, except for the second labor stage.

4. lilynicholsrdn.com lilynicholsrdn.com/dates-pregnancy-labor/

Does eating dates during pregnancy improve labor? Some data suggests that consumption of dates is associated with lower blood pressure in pregnancy, which is speculated to cause lesser bleeding after delivery.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5637148/

Effect of Dates in Late Pregnancy on the Duration of Labor in ... Consuming dates in late pregnancy was effective in decreasing length of labor processes and reduced the need of oxytocin for labor acceleration.

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38166785/

Is oral consumption of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L. fruit) in ... Meta-analyses revealed that dates consumption in late pregnancy significantly shortened the length of gestation and labor, except for the second labor stage.

7. evidencebasedbirth.com evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-128-inducing-labor-with-castor-oil-and-dates/

EBB 128 - Inducing Labor with Castor Oil and Dates Researchers have found beneficial effects when people start eating date fruits by at least 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. The studies that found ...