Experts on whether consuming ghee in the last months of pregnancy helps during vaginal delivery

Ghee is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-9 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is believed to provide relief from constipation during pregnancy, help in the development of baby's brain, improve digestion of pregnant woman and help nourish the baby.

Homemade ghee is a better and healthier option as compared to clarified butter that is procured from the market. (Source: Freepik)

During pregnancy, the basic principles of healthy eating remain the same — have plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. What you eat can really affect not only your health but also your baby’s, especially since your food is the fetus’ primary source of nutrition. As such, many women consume ghee — a source of healthy fats — in their pregnancy meal plan. But is it good to eat ghee during pregnancy?

According to Dr Ramya Kabilan, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, “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.”

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A post shared by Dr. Ramya Kabilan (@dr.ramya_kabilan)

In an Instagram post, she added, “It advisable to eat moderate amount of ghee every day when you are pregnant. 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 a 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.”

Benefits of eating ghee during pregnancy

Neha Pathania, Chief Dietician, Paras Health, Gurugram, shared that ghee has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and is believed to offer various health benefits, including for pregnant women such as:

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*Nutritional benefits: Ghee is a rich source of essential vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are important for overall health, including during pregnancy.

*Healthy fats: Ghee is a good source of healthy fats, including medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are easily digestible and provide a readily available source of energy. These healthy fats can help pregnant women meet their increased energy needs during pregnancy and support the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system.

*Hormonal balance: Ghee is believed to help balance hormones in the body, which can be beneficial during pregnancy when hormonal fluctuations are common. It is thought to support the production of healthy hormones and help regulate the endocrine system, which plays a key role in pregnancy and childbirth.

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*Digestive health: Ghee is known for its digestive properties in Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to help stimulate the digestive fire (agni) and promote healthy digestion, which can be beneficial for pregnant women who may experience digestive discomfort or constipation during pregnancy.

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*Skin health: Ghee is often used topically in Ayurvedic practices for skin care. Pregnant women may experience changes in their skin during pregnancy and using ghee as a moisturiser or in homemade skincare, remedies may help nourish the skin and alleviate dryness or itching.

It advisable to eat moderate amount of ghee every day when you are pregnant. (Source: Freepik)

Precautions

A pregnant woman only requires 350 extra calories to cater to the nutritional needs of the growing foetus. These extra calories can be obtained by eating a healthy diet, which may include ghee in it. But the consumption of ghee in large quantities may lead to weight gain.

As physical activity reduces in the last months of pregnancy, if you eat more ghee, it can make your baby gain weight as well, which can cause pregnancy complications and it may become very difficult to get rid of excess fat after childbirth. Adding to this, Pathania said, “The recommended serving size of ghee is typically about 1 to 2 teaspoons per meal. This can provide a moderate amount of healthy fats and other beneficial nutrients without overloading the diet with excessive calories or saturated fats.”

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Concluding, the expert noted that it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified nutritionist before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. They can provide personalised advice based on your individual health needs and circumstances.

But does ghee help with a normal delivery?

“Consuming ghee is the third trimester is said to irritate the bowel and extend the contractions to the uterus and induce labour. As such, some women have ghee or castor oil to induce labour. Ghee is also believed to lubricate the vagina providing a smooth delivery. However, neither of these have any scientific evidence,” said Dr Kinjal Shah, DNB (Obstetrics & Gynecology), Consultant Bhatia Hospital Mumbai.

However, as per Dr Jagriti Varshney, an Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, any type of healthy fat, such as ghee help in producing progesterone, a hormone that helps sustain pregnancy. “But eating ghee during pregnancy does not affect the mode of delivery of baby,” she asserted.

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