Background: Indonesia has high rates of maternal death attributable to postpartum haemorrhage and has the world’s largest Muslim population. Emerging evidence suggests that consuming dates during pregnancy and labour may reduce postpartum blood loss. Date consumption features in religious traditions and recommendations in Muslim communities yet women’s perceptions on date consumption in pregnancy and labour have not yet been explored. Aim and objectives: To determine the potential effect of date consumption during pregnancy and labour on postpartum blood loss and explore women’s perceptions and experiences of consuming dates during pregnancy and labour in an Indonesian Muslim context. Methods: This study employed convergent mixed methods which included cohort and qualitative studies, to address different research objectives. The cohort study involved women who were receiving antenatal care and planning to give birth in a midwifery-led birthing clinic in Indonesia. Data was collected on date consumption through late pregnancy and the intrapartum period via a researcher-developed survey and clinical data were collected on birth outcomes, including blood loss. Data was analysed using Chi-Square for categorical data, independent samples t-tests for continuous data, and multiple linear regression analysis for adjusting potential confounders. The qualitative study involved semi structured interviews with a subset of 31 postpartum women participating in the cohort study. Qualitative data was analysed using framework analysis. Results: 368 women were recruited to the study (including 163 date consumers, 235 non-consumers). Date consumption during late pregnancy and birth was associated with a 56.3 ml reduction in blood loss two hours after placental delivery. Cultural and religious significance emerged as key influential factors shaping women’s choices and experiences of date consumption. Conclusion: Consuming dates during late pregnancy and labour may may reduce postpartum blood loss. In a Muslim context, date consumption, is not a neutral process and carries cultural and religious significance.
| Date of Award | 10 Mar 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Zoe Darwin (Main Supervisor) |
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