Okra Water for Labor: Benefits & A Step-by-Step Guide

Starlin is worried about labour pain to hear from others. Her friend Mishel suggested okra water for labor. She feels changed by drinking this fantastic Okra water. 

As the due date comes closer, many women are keen to get the labor process begun. While there are many medical methods to induce labor, some women have used a more unconventional method: drinking okra water.

The idea behind this method is that okra contains some elements that can facilitate the uterus and encourage labor.

Is there any truth to this claim? This post will investigate the science behind labor induction and explore whether drinking okra water can help.

We’ll also discuss the potential risks and benefits of this method. So, if you’re considering drinking okra water to induce labor, read everything you need to know.

Okra Water For pregnancy Recipe 

Knowing the right way to prepare it is essential if you’ve chosen to try drinking okra water to induce labor. Here’s a simple recipe to follow:

Ingredients:

– 4-5 fresh okra

– 4 cups of water or a glass of water

okra water for labor
okra water

Instructions:

1. Wash the okra pods entirely and cut up the ends.

2. Slice the okra pods lengthwise and place them in a jar.

3. Add 4 cups of water to the jar and get it to a boil.

4. Decrease the heat and let it steam for 10-15 minutes.

5. Turn off the heat and let the combination cool down.

6. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer.

7. Pour the okra water into a glass jar or bottle and refrigerate it until you’re ready to drink it.

It’s significant to note that drinking okra water alone may not always be acceptable to induce labor. You can make okra juice to see more benefits.

While okra water is generally considered noncontroversial, it’s always better to err on the side of caution regarding your and your baby’s health.

Okra Water for pregnant mothers benefits

Okra water is a natural remedy to get rid of labor pain. Okra or Abelmoschus Esculentus is a vegetable with various nutritional essences.

It has therapeutic activities on chronic diseases, type-2 diabetes, digestive diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. 

Not only all those diseases Okra works on but also liver detoxification, anti-fatigue effect, antibacterial and chemo-preventive actions. Okra would be a safe alternative to conventional psychotherapies. Overall, it is a low-cost crop with lots of nutritional value. 

Here you get some health benefits from drinking okra water.

  • Regarding labor induction, okra water is believed to have specific properties that can help to prepare the cervix for labor and delivery. It contains compounds that can help soften and dilate the cervix, a crucial factor in the onset of labor.

  • Okra water is also believed to be beneficial for other aspects of pregnancy. It contains high folate levels and other essential vitamins and minerals necessary for foetal development and can cause congenital disabilities and defects.

  • Moreover, Okra water is a natural diuretic that can help reduce water retention and swelling during pregnancy. It can also help regulate blood sugar levels essential for women at risk of developing gestational diabetes.
  • While there is limited scientific research on the potential benefits of drinking okra water for labor induction, anecdotal evidence suggests that it may be effective for some women.
  • Okra contains antioxidants that are natural compounds and helps your body fight off molecules called free radicals by damaging cells. Free radicals are well known for generating oxidation damage, which can eventually lead to cancer.

However, it is essential to note that every woman’s body and pregnancy are not exact. Something other than what may work for one woman may work for another. As with any natural remedy or supplement, it is always best to consult your physician before trying it.

When Should I Start Drinking Okra Water?

The researcher says if a pregnant woman takes okra water 30 minutes before breakfast in the morning, it can work well. One cup of okra water contains 15% of the daily value of folate, a helpful nutrient for pregnant women. Folate assists in reducing the risk of neural tube flaws, which can affect the brain and spine of developing foetuses. A one-cup serving of boiled okra slices contains:

  • Calories: 35 
  • Protein: 3 grams 
  • Sugar: 4 gram
  • Fat : 0 grams 
  • Carbohydrates: 7 grams 
  • Fibre: 4 grams 

Safety Issues: 

There are no medical documents to prove Okra water is beneficial. It is one of the myths without any record. Okra water contains high fiber and minerals. Though it is the health question of a pregnant mom and her unborn child, it is better to take advice from a health provider.

According to Medical News Today


Taking a large amount of Okra water can cause gastrointestinal pain and diarrhoea, which can be dangerous during pregnancy. 

However, there are many medical professionals suggesting ways to induce labor. Walking, Nipple stimulation, Sex, and Acupuncture are safe and healthy methods to induce labor.

People who have diabetes should be careful about taking okra. It infers with metformin which is used as a medicine for type 2 diabetes. 

Does okra water help with labor?

Drinking okra water helps labor is a myth without medical documents. People say it makes the labor journey easy. 

Can a pregnant woman drink okra water? 

Okra is a high protein, fiber, and sodium source. So, a pregnant woman should take a certain amount of okra. 

What causes slow labor?

Because of the baby’s position and large baby head, you may suffer from slow labor.

Can okra cause contractions?

Though it is believed that okra can induce labor pain, there is no scientific proof for this claim.

Who should avoid okra?

Okra contains a high volume of vitamin k which can aid blood clotting. It should avoid people on a blood thinner diet. 

Final Verdict: 

Okra Water is an excellent dietary medicine that is available and provides various sustainable health applications. However, Okra Water for labour is a myth from ancient grandma.

So, don’t depend on this therapy blindly. Pregnancy itself is a complicated situation for women. Listen to your physician and stay secure. If your body is quite fit during pregnancy, try this natural remedy in the third trimester. Don’t get afraid of labour pain to get a healthy baby as well! 

Sultana R, Alashi AM, Islam K, Saifullah M, Haque CE, Aluko RE. Chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant properties of water-soluble extracts obtained from Bangladesh vegetables. J Food Biochem. 2021 Mar;45(3):e13357. doi: 10.1111/jfbc.13357. Epub 2020 Jul 5. PMID: 32627224.

Elkhalifa AEO, Alshammari E, Adnan M, Alcantara JC, Awadelkareem AM, Eltoum NE, Mehmood K, Panda BP, Ashraf SA. Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) as a Potential Dietary Medicine with Nutraceutical Importance for Sustainable Health Applications. Molecules. 2021 Jan 28;26(3):696. doi: 10.3390/molecules26030696. PMID: 33525745; PMCID: PMC7865958.

Obrycki JF, Lee JJ, Kapur K, Paul L, Hasan MOSI, Mia S, Quamruzzaman Q, Christiani DC, Mazumdar M. A case-control analysis of maternal diet and risk of neural tube defects in Bangladesh. Birth Defects Res. 2019 Aug 15;111(14):967-981. doi: 10.1002/bdr2.1505. Epub 2019 Apr 15. PMID: 30989821; PMCID: PMC6703921.

Sarah, a health writer and editor since 2014, is an adoring wife and dedicated mother to 2 daughters and 1 son. As the creator of Babies Plannet, she combines her extensive expertise with her maternal dedication to provide essential care and safety advice for infants, nurturing their well-being and happiness. Her writing explores topics like fitness, pregnancy, and women's healthy lifestyles.

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