Consuming okro during pregnancy will not make labour easier –Physicians

C onsuming okra during pregnancy will not make labour easier –Physicians Health professionals have debunked the myth that consuming okra or ...

Consuming okra during pregnancy will not make labour easier –Physicians

Health professionals have debunked the myth that consuming okra or drinking okra water, particularly in the final trimester of pregnancy, could facilitate a woman's labour and delivery.

The idea that okra might make childbirth less difficult for a woman is untrue, said the experts, as there is no documented scientific proof to support its benefits.

The experts, certified nutritionist Mrs Yemisi Solanke-Lawal and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Stanley Egbogu, claimed it is a myth that okra may make labour simple in separate, exclusive interviews with PUNCH HealthWise.

However, okra is one of the veggies that have a lot of health advantages.

Okra contains a high level of folate, which is a water-soluble form of vitamin B9 that is naturally present in many meals, but it is devoid of folic acid, according to the maternal health website birthingbalance.com.

According to the study, one serving of okra supplies 15% of a woman's daily requirement for folate, and when combined with other foods high in folate and the recommended prenatal vitamin, a woman should have enough of this vitamin in her system.

Speaking with our correspondent Egbogu, who works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi noted that this myth and superstition are just a few that people cling to despite the lack of evidence. She noted that this belief, that okra makes birthing easy, is common, especially in rural areas.

People hold a wide variety of superstitious beliefs. This is a common misconception, however there is no proof that eating okra in the final trimester will make labour less difficult.

"I know some people think it's true, and this frequently happens in villages. Despite the lack of evidence, some people hold this belief.

However, he pointed out that okra is a vegetable with a lot of nutritional advantages.

The gynaecologist advised expecting mothers to use modest activities that have been shown to facilitate birth rather than relying on the unproven belief that okra will speed up labour.

Egbogu claimed that simple exercises like walking make labour easier. He said that giving birth in water has also been shown to lessen labour discomfort, despite not being practised in Nigeria.

The nutrition specialist, Solanke-Lawal, said that she was unaware of the consequences of consuming okra while pregnant.

However, she pointed out that okra has a reputation for helping diabetics maintain control over their blood sugar levels.

The nutritionist claimed that if the allegations were accurate, they would have been evident throughout the Asian nation of China, which is known to place a high priority on herbal and natural therapies.