The best foods to prepare for labour

Due to the limited research on this plant, particularly regarding pregnancy and labour, researchers conducted a study on 192 women [2]. The aim of the study was to identify the effect and safety of raspberry leaf (2 x 1.2 g per day), consumed from 32 weeks of pregnancy until labour.

They observed that raspberry leaf, consumed in tablet form, caused no adverse effects for either the mother or the baby. 
 

They identified clinically significant results in shortening the second stage of labour (mean difference of 9.59 minutes) and a lower rate of forceps deliveries between the group that had taken raspberry leaf and the group that had not (19.3% versus 30.4%).

The raspberry leaf tea could therefore be of interest in supporting a natural birth. 

the best?

Raspberry leaves are rich in antioxidants, particularly ellagic acid, a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties. They also have a diuretic effect and may help with water retention in late pregnancy. Raspberry leaves are also a source of calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin C.

Another food said to help bring on labour is pineapple. According to popular belief, eating pineapple could help ripen the cervix and encourage labour to start. It is also said to be dangerous to consume during pregnancy due to the risk of triggering contractions.

scientific studies: potentially
 

Fresh pineapple (not tinned) does contain bromelain, an enzyme that could soften the cervix, but studies are scarce.

There are a few studies in rats that might suggest bromelain could cause contractions similar to those induced by oxytocin, but only when the juice is applied directly to the uterine muscles, not when it is ingested. Scientists believe its effect is lost on contact with digestive enzymes. Drinking it would therefore have no effect on triggering labour [7], [8].

Until recently, no robust human study had confirmed that pineapple could trigger labour. However, a study published in April 2026 provided the first clinical data on the subject. The researchers assessed the effect of fresh pineapple consumption in pregnant women at term. Participants were divided into two groups: those reporting regular pineapple consumption during the third trimester and those reporting none. Pineapple consumption in the third trimester was associated with better cervical ripening, a shorter duration of labour, and higher rates of vaginal delivery without adverse neonatal outcomes [16].

conclusion

There is no risk in drinking pineapple juice during pregnancy (in reasonable quantities, as with everything!), just as eating or drinking it will not give you a more "ripe" cervix!

Dates have traditionally been used by women to prepare their bodies for labour. So, are they truly effective as part of a birth diet — fact or fiction?

Some possible effects

Several studies have shown that dates affect oxytocin receptors and may lead to increased sensitivity of the uterine muscles, making uterine contractions more effective and reducing the need for synthetic oxytocin.

Dates: a true nutritional goldmine!
 

The saturated and unsaturated fatty acids found in dates are thought to be involved in the formation of prostaglandin, a hormone that stimulates or triggers uterine contractions. 
Bonus: the fibre in dates and their laxative effect, ideal for the post-birth period.

Dates are nutritional goldmines — rich in sugars, of course, but also rich in fibre, trace elements (copper, zinc, iron), numerous amino acids, minerals such as potassium and magnesium, and vitamins including B-group vitamins. In short, they are an ideal snack for combating fatigue before and during labour.

Conclusion
 

Dates are perfect before birth and even afterwards. There is no reason to deprive yourself. Just be careful if you have gestational diabetes. 

Evening primrose oil is traditionally recognised for helping to soften and efface the cervix by encouraging the production of prostaglandins. However, the evidence regarding the effectiveness of this ingredient in the diet for childbirth is mixed.

But here again, scientific evidence is limited. A single randomised study in 2006 showed that evening primrose oil could indeed increase cervical ripening.

Women who had taken evening primrose oil had better bishop scores (a scoring system used to assess cervical maturity towards the end of pregnancy — the higher the score, the more favourable the conditions for induction). However, there was no impact on the onset of labour. Moreover, in the study, the group of women who had taken evening primrose oil experienced more complications on average during childbirth [12].

To find out more about the studies, see our article on evening primrose oil and childbirth.

Birth is a marathon, and after the birth comes an even greater one: the postpartum period and motherhood. So let's take care of our bodies throughout pregnancy, and even more so in those final weeks!

Nuts and seeds

Almonds and sunflower seeds are particularly rich in vitamin E, which may help to regulate prostaglandins [13]. Studies have also shown a link between vitamin E deficiency and the risk of developing pre-eclampsia, preterm birth or low birth weight. These ingredients should moreover be part of your diet in preparation for birth, primarily thanks to their nutrient density.

Bone broth
 

Broth isn't just for after the birth! Easy to digest and remineralising.

Prepare your broth with chicken wings or simply the carcass, to boost your collagen levels (which decline due to increased cortisol during pregnancy — the stress hormone that regulates the immune system), as well as hyaluronic acid (found in cartilage).

We already have a range of postpartum broth ready for you: 

Mama Poule, with a 240 ml serving containing nearly 6 g of natural collagen, directly absorbable by the body.

Mama beef, with nearly 15 g of collagen per jar. 

Mama miso, for a happy digestive system. 

Did you know?
 

If you add a little vinegar while cooking the meat, it will help to draw out the minerals from the cartilage more effectively.

When?
 

From week 35–36, one broth a day! You can even enjoy it earlier if you would like to top up your collagen levels during pregnancy.

Green vegetables

Green vegetables such as kale, green beans, spinach and chard are real health assets — excellent sources of magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc and fat-soluble vitamins such as A, K, E and C.

And the cherry on the bump, green vegetables are an excellent source of vitamin K, which supports healthy blood clotting. Do bear in mind that it is present in the form of K1, and only converts to K2 (its functional form) through good bacterial fermentation. So your digestive balance needs to be in top shape.

Green vegetables are also a good source of B vitamins, which are important for the production of red blood cells — which renew rapidly during pregnancy (for the storage and transport of oxygen).

How to eat them?

To access their minerals, they need to be cooked (to break down oxalic acid, which binds minerals within the plants). Avoid overcooking them to preserve the B vitamins (which are destroyed by heat), or alternate between eating them raw and cooked.

Serve them with a drizzle of olive oil, for example (fat-soluble vitamins need fat to be properly absorbed).

Foods rich in vitamin D (such as small oily fish)
 

Vitamin D helps to regulate hormones and may potentially have other benefits.

We have a pregnancy vitamin D but also a baby vitamin D !

You're at 40 weeks and longing to give birth?

Go for a walk, do a little exercise. 

Don't hesitate to seek advice from your maternity unit, who can point you towards an acupuncturist or a midwife specialising in acupuncture. At the very least, it will help you relax before baby arrives. To find out more about the benefits of this practice, read our article on pregnancy acupuncture.

To help you prepare, have a look at our article on the signs a few days before labour. 

To help with recovery after the birth, you can take a post-partum food supplement multivitamins to support your body.