Will consuming ghee during pregnancy help in normal delivery of baby?

Hyderabad: A Facebook post has gone viral with the claim that consuming ghee during the last trimester of pregnancy will induce normal delivery.

The viral post advises pregnant women to drink a mixture of ghee and lukewarm water before or after having a meal once a day for a normal delivery. It further warns that people with medical conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure or allergy should not consume ghee at all.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false.

What is normal delivery?

A normal delivery aka vaginal delivery is when a person gives birth through the vagina. Vaginal deliveries are the most preferred method of delivery because they are typically low risk and carry the most benefits to the birthing person and the baby. During a vaginal birth, the uterus contracts to thin and opens the cervix to push out the baby.

There are three types of vaginal delivery such as:

- Spontaneous vaginal delivery, which happens on its own without any labour-inducing drug.

- Induced vaginal delivery, where certain drugs or other techniques are used to initiate and prepare for a smooth delivery.

- Assisted vaginal delivery, in which the doctors might take the help of forceps or a vacuum device to get the baby out.

Although, there are certain risk factors in vaginal deliveries as well such as failure in the process, irregular fetal heart rate, haemorrhage, vaginal tear, deep vein thrombosis and postpartum preeclampsia.

Normal delivery is mostly preferred due to several benefits it offers such as shorter recovery time, lactation, and low chances of future pregnancy complications. It also offers certain benefits to the baby such as lower chances of respiratory conditions, improved immune system functioning and more likeness to breastfeeding.

Does ghee promise a normal delivery?

No, it is often believed that consuming ghee would act as a ‘laxative’ which will eventually help in smooth vaginal delivery. Refuting the pregnancy myth, an article on Physioheal states, “There is no evidence to back either of these beliefs. The latest research claims that a pregnant woman needs 200 extra calories to nourish her baby. So, doctors advise consuming an extra 300 calories during the second and third trimesters. If there is a need for you to get some extra calories, your doctor can advise some healthy, wholesome food to help you with. Consuming a lot of fatty food can accelerate your weight gain and complicate your pregnancy.’

However, we also found an Instagram video of an obstetrician-gynaecologist, Dr Ramya Kabilan who says, “Ghee is one of the main ingredients used in Indian cooking. When a woman is pregnant, she is often told to consume ghee by the elders of the family. Eating ghee during pregnancy is beneficial for the overall health of the woman. It helps in digestion; it nourishes both the baby and the mother and it’s a healthy source of good fats. It is advisable to eat a moderate amount of ghee every day when you are pregnant.”

She further adds, “But it’s often taught that taking ghee in the last months of pregnancy lubricates the vagina and it helps the baby slip out more easily during normal vaginal delivery. However, this is not true. While this belief has been around for a long time, there is no proof that it works this way.”

It should be noted that consuming ghee in moderation indeed poses benefits to both the mother and the baby but there is no scientific evidence to prove that ghee help in determining whether you will have a normal or c-section delivery.

Lastly, an article on Baby Center states that “No, it’s often thought that drinking ghee in the last month of pregnancy lubricates the vagina, and in the process, helps a baby ‘slip out’ more easily during a normal delivery. But while this belief has been around for a long time, there’s no proof that it works this way!”