In this article, I am sharing a list of foods, spices and other herbs that may trigger pre-mature uterus contractions. This list may vary from country to country and culture to culture. Most of the items listed here may not have enough scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in starting pre-mature labour.
Food in its entirety does not cause harm to pregnant women or baby if consumed in moderation. But if taken in the excessive quantity or in concentrated form, they may cause undesirable side-effects. Therefore, in the end, it’s up to you if you would like to completely eliminate these food items or just keep an eye on the quantity and frequency.
Raw papaya
Papaya was the first food I was told to avoid. After some research, I found out that raw papaya contains compounds like latex and papain. And both of them are not good during pregnancy because they can trigger contractions and start premature labour. The compound Papain can be mistaken as prostaglandins in a pregnant woman’s body. Prostaglandins are used to induce labour. This might be disappointing news if you love Thai green papaya salad. However, there are no such claims for fully ripe or well-cooked green papaya. They are delicious and loaded with nutrients. Many pregnant women continue to eat ripe papaya throughout their pregnancy. As it helps with digestion and constipation. Personally, I developed an inexplicable aversion to the strong fragrance of papaya and mango during my pregnancy. Hence, I stayed away from them throughout my pregnancy.
Pineapple
You might have heard that pineapple can induce labour. Some full-term pregnant women who want to naturally induce labour, eat lots of pineapples to soften the cervix and bring on labour. This effect is caused by enzyme bromelain, found mainly in the core of the pineapple. However, an average serving of pineapple fruit contains very less amount of bromoline. One has to eat 7-8 whole pineapples in a short period to bring that effect. But that doesn’t sound doable. I can’t even finish one full serving of fresh pineapple, because my tongue and lips get chaffed after eating pineapple. Also, pineapple is an acidic fruit, it can give you severe acid reflux and diarrhea if consumed in excess. But if you are some sort of pineapple ninja and can easily down 8 to 10 whole pineapples, it is best to avoid that during pregnancy or at least wait till you reach full-term. If you love juices, you might want to go easy on fresh pineapple juice.
Grapes
Grapes are widely disputed fruit during pregnancy. Those chilled, sweet, and sour small fruits can be a godsend for some severely nauseated pregnant women. And can cause horrible acid reflux in others. Pregnant women have a weak digestive system and grapes skin is thick and hard to digest. It can cause indigestion, bloating, and vomiting, particularly if consumed in large quantities. If consumed empty stomach grapes can cause severe episodes of acidity. Too much vomiting can cause dehydration which is not good for fetuses and mothers. Grapes are also loaded with sugar, therefore steer clear of them if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Other than my Waldorf salad, grapes are not a big part of my diet. And I avoided them during pregnancy as I don’t want to distress my already sluggish digestive system.
Parsley
Parsley is a very common and nutritious herb, however overconsumption during pregnancy can cause adverse side effects. Parsley contains apiol and myristicin, that are linked to pregnancy-related complications. Historically, large and concentrated forms of parsley have been used to abort a pregnancy and start the menstrual flow. There are also concerns that parsley can fluctuate blood pressure, which can be dangerous during pregnancy. There is no published safe limit of parsley consumption during pregnancy is available so I would keep it to a minimum. That means, going easy on that beautiful Chimichurri sauce or tabouleh salad loaded with parsley.
Saffron
Do you know that historically, in middle eastern countries, women used saffron to abort an unwanted pregnancy? Whereas, in south Asian countries, saffron milk is advised to pregnant women for a beautiful baby. The only difference is the quantity consumed. To abort the pregnancy women had to consume a huge quantity of saffron in one go and this will not only abort the pregnancy but also put women at risk. Saffron is expensive, so this option was available to only women from affluent families. On the other hand, saffron is beneficial if consumed in a safe quantity. It has been studied that saffron has anti-inflammatory properties, it is good for digestion, heart, and brain. In south Asia, saffron milk is given to pregnant women every now and then, throughout their pregnancy for a beautiful and healthy baby. This milk is prepared by boiling 2 or 3 long strands of saffron with some turmeric, cardamom, and sugar in a cup of milk to prepare saffron milk. Also, this milk is more palatable for pregnant women who are suffering from nausea. Saffron-Almond milk is another popular drink in South Asian countries, enjoyed chilled in summer (commonly known as Thandai) to cool your body and consumed warm in winter before bedtime for good sleep. If you are like me and love the saffron flavour in your rice and drinks, don’t worry. You don’t have to eliminate it, just keep the quantity on the lower side, particularly in your first trimester.
Barberry
Barberry is mainly used in middle eastern cuisine. Small red berries are used in many Persian dishes. This herb is also used extensively in alternative medicine. Some researchers suggest avoiding barberry during pregnancy as they may cause untimely uterine contraction and birth complications. It is mentioned on the drug.com that “Barberry may cause brain damage in a newborn if the mother takes this product during pregnancy.”
Bishops weed
Bishops weed, also known as ajwain or carom seeds, are commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is also a common kitchen herb in South Asian cuisine. Little dark brown carrom seeds have a peculiar fragrance. In south Asian countries, a concoction of carrom seeds, Ghee, and sugar is prepared for the new mothers to improve digestion, promote immunity, and bring uterus in its original size. However, it is unsafe for pregnant women as it can bring on premature labour and threaten the pregnancy. It contains a chemical called khellin that may be responsible for the uterus to contract. Historically, bishop’s weed was used to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
This is not a comprehensive list, there are many more food and herbs that are advised to restrict or avoid during pregnancy – fenugreek, sumac, oregano, peppermint, asafetida, rosemary are few to name. Food habits are different in every country, bishop’s weed is a common spice in India but no so common in British cuisine. Therefore, it is always a good idea to speak with your midwife or gynaecologist and they should be able to tell you about commonly used herbs, spices and foods that are not recommended during pregnancy.
Having said that, there are not many food, herbs and spices that can cause complication for pregnant women and their baby if consumed in moderation. As long as you are not using concentrated forms of herbs, supplements and avoiding excessive consumption of a particular food in one sitting, you should be fine.
Eat well, stay healthy
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