A prospective randomised control study on labour performance with dates consumption

Abstract

This research sought to evaluate the cervical ripening before the onset of labour which is an important factor in predicting the labour performance. The objectives were to determine the effect of dates fruit on duration of labour, cervical ripening and estimated intrapartum blood loss. This randomised control trial was performed in 144 women with a singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation at gestational age of 36 weeks. The study was conducted in Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Pahang. The subject were randomly assigned into intervention and control group (72 women in each group).The intervention group consumed 5 pieces of dates (70-75gram per day) from 36 weeks of gestation till the onset of labour pain. The control group received the routine care. Data analysed done using independent t-test and chi square. Outcome of the study shows, the mean Bishop score at admission was higher in intervention group (8.39 ± 1.525) compared to control group (6.99 ± 2.624) which is statistically significant (p<0.001).The duration of labour is shorter in intervention group (247.96 ± 159.53 minutes) compared to control group (390.83 ± 202.36 minutes) (p<0.005). Estimated blood loss in intervention group is lesser (308.33 ± 151.75 ml) compared to control group (411.11±128.16 ml) (p<0.005). In conclusion, women consuming dates antenatally have better cervical scoring, shorter duration of labour and less blood loss. Dates is recommended as a supplement for pregnant women in the last weeks of gestation.