Is okra good for pregnancy and giving birth? Is okra a plant that can make childbirth easier?? What does science say? Is it really effective? How to consume it? What about glucose supplementation for faster delivery? And finally, what are the other natural remedies to facilitate and relieve childbirth?
I. A brief review of the difficulties of childbirth
There are many difficulties that can occur on the day of delivery. These difficulties include the period of labor. If labor begins before or after the due date, this can be a difficulty and can sometimes cause unbearable pain.
Another problem may be with the placenta.
Premature water loss is another of the difficulties one may encounter on the day of her delivery.
The fetus can also position itself in a way that will make the delivery complicated.
There can also be a cord curl when the umbilical cord is wrapped around the fetus’ neck. Or an umbilical cord prolapse, when the cord comes out before the fetus.
II. Is okra good for pregnancy and giving birth
1. How does okra work with a pregnant woman?
Okra, also known as hibiscus esculentus, is a plant found in African, Cajun, and Creole cuisine.
It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and its consumption is highly recommended during pregnancy.
The folic acid it contains is also very useful for the development of the fetus.
In many countries, okra is consumed in sauce to facilitate childbirth. It is also said to have the ability to promote twin births, which has no real scientific basis.
This condiment would be likely to dilate the cervix, but the scientific evidence confirming it is not numerous.
Nevertheless, okra is a nutritious plant. You can therefore consume it for your general health, and even more so when you are pregnant.
2. How to use okra during pregnancy
To use okra and make your delivery easier, you will only need the okra roots and shea butter.
Start with the okra root, which you will char to make a black powder.
Add this powder to the shea butter and make a mixture that you will keep in a safe box.
You will use this ointment on the day of your delivery. When your contractions start, take a little of this mixture with your fingertips. Rub it into your lower abdomen before going to the hospital.
Remember that there is no scientific basis for this ancient practice.
3. Is okra rich in nutrient
The answer is obviously yes. Here is what 200 grams of okra contains in essential nutrients:
- Calories: 65
- Protein: 4 grams
- Carbs: 15 grams
- Fiber: 5,5 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Magnesium: 25% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin C: 50% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 26% of the DV
- Folate: 25% of the DV
- Vitamin K: 50% of the DV
- Vitamin A: 25% of the DV
Note that okra has a large amount of zinc and calcium
4. Okra during pregnancy first trimester
As we have just seen, the high level of vitamin A, B (B1, B2, B6), and C, as well as the zinc and calcium contained in okra make it the ideal vegetable to eat during pregnancy.
It also contains folic acid, an essential element when, during pregnancy, the cells develop and multiply very quickly.
Okra can be cooked in many ways, such as roasted, grilled, fried, marinated, sautéed, stewed, or in soup.
There are no scientific studies that attribute any harmful effect to okra, so it is possible to consume it during the first trimester of pregnancy.
In fact, it has been proven that okra has many benefits for the growth and development of the fetus, thanks to the many nutrients it offers.
5. Benefits of okra in fertility
Indeed, many people believe in the virtues of okra to help and facilitate getting pregnant fast.
According to them, there are different ways to use okra to stimulate ovulation, one of which is to make a soup using the okra and its leaves.
According to these beliefs, which unfortunately are not supported by scientific studies at the moment, the best way is to cut a few pieces of okra in water, let them soak overnight, and drink the mixture in the morning.
Soaking okra in cold water gives you “okra water”, water that is supposed to stimulate ovulation.
He insists that okra water is best used after menstruation, as it stimulates ovulation and facilitates conception.
Benefits of okra
III. Other natural ways to make childbirth easier
1. Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is essential for a pregnant woman’s good health. Even though it is not one of the main techniques to induce labor, a pregnant woman needs to be well hydrated.
Drink between 1 and 1.5 liters of water per day during your pregnancy. It is through water that nutrients will circulate in your body and reach your baby’s body.
Hydrate for both of you, it’s a priority for you and your baby.
2. Dates for a good birth
Dates, consumed regularly from the 36th week of pregnancy, would be able to facilitate childbirth.
For that, it would be necessary to take up to 6 dates per day. With an effect similar to that of oxytocin, dates are able to stimulate the uterus and induce labor.
Researchers from the Jordan University of Science and Technology have concluded that dates dilate the cervix.
Even if the number of dates to consume is large, this fruit is good for your health. Therefore, unless you are diabetic, you will not lose anything by eating dates.
Because they are rich in carbohydrates, dates are not recommended for people with gestational cancer.
3. Walking
Walking is a great way to induce contractions. Putting your body in motion would be conducive to the production of a particular hormone: oxytocin.
This would happen because the baby’s head would put pressure on the cervix. Oxytocin is the hormone that is secreted by the body during labor.
Also, if you are not too tired, don’t hesitate to take short walks. Don’t rush, walk slowly at your own pace. This may be enough to induce contractions.
Walking would have another positive effect: it would allow the baby to position itself well in the uterus.
4. Have sex
The “Italian” method of childbirth has proven itself. In fact, the effectiveness of the act of love in inducing childbirth is no longer debated.
By making love with your partner, you will stimulate the production of oxytocin in your body. This hormone is directly related to contractions. Its production in the body can trigger contractions and thus induce labor.
Semen is also useful in triggering labor. It contains prostaglandins, which help soften the cervix. This is an added bonus to facilitate childbirth.
Don’t be afraid, before your term, to cause premature labor by having sex. It won’t happen.
Having sex during pregnancy is not risky for the baby.
5. St. John’s wort oil
Tearing the perineum is one of the most common risks women face during childbirth.
So you can use red St. John’s wort oil and rub it on the perineum area before your delivery. This oil will relax the perineum and limit the risk of tearing.
In addition, once the delivery is over, St. John’s wort oil will help you heal faster. As an anti-inflammatory, it will ease your pain and give you great relief.
6. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another natural way to induce labor. Certain specific points, if stimulated, are capable of triggering contractions.
By softening the perineum, acupuncture needles can be effective in pushing your baby out.
Simply ask your maternity hospital or even your doctor for more information. Contact an acupuncturist or a midwife who specializes in this discipline.
The number of sessions can vary, between 5 to 6, during one to one and a half weeks.
IV. Glucose supplementation for faster delivery
The health risks for both the mother and the baby increase with the length of labor. Therefore, studies have been done to reduce the duration of labor.
Researchers at the University of Sherbrook conducted an experiment. This one aimed at evaluating the impact of supplementation of glucose during the time of work.
They hypothesized that if glucose improves the performance of sports muscles, the same may be true for uterine muscle.
The results of their work were conclusive, demonstrating that the administration of glucose reduced labor time.
The delivery would thus take place faster and with fewer complications thanks to glucose supplementation.