Labour induction and augmentation with Prostaglandin and Oxytocin are well established as standard practice worldwide. They are safe when used judiciously, but may be associated with maternal and neonatal morbidities. Other safer alternatives have been studied including dates consumption during late pregnancy with various outcomes. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to investigate the effect of date fruit consumption during late pregnancy on the onset of labour and need for induction or augmentation of labour. A total of 154 nulliparous women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy were randomly allocated to either dates-consumer (77) or control group (77). The women in the dates-consumer group had significantly less need for augmentation of labour and longer intervention to delivery interval. There was no significant difference in the onset of spontaneous labour. Dates consumption reduces the need for labour augmentation but does not expedite the onset of labour. Impact statement • Dates fruit consumption during late pregnancy has been shown to positively affect the outcome of labour and delivery. In this study, date consumption reduced the need for labour augmentation with oxytocin but did not expedite the onset of labour. Therefore, dates consumption in late pregnancy is a safe supplement to be considered as it reduced the need for labour intervention without any adverse effect on the mother and child. This further supports the finding of earlier studies.

This case series highlights the outcome of four pregnancies complicated with COVID-19 as the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a lot of uncertainties due to lack of scientific evidence in guiding the management of pregnancy with COVID-19. The women were between 25 and 31 years of age and of 35 - 39 weeks of gestation with underlying no medical problems. Three women were delivered via caesarean section and one woman was delivered via ventouse delivery due to poor progress during the second stage of labour. Two women were in stage 4 of the disease (having breathing difficulties and requiring oxygen support) at presentations. One of them was treated with hydroxychloroquine (HC) only while another one was treated with both HC and antiviral medications; none required assisted ventilation during their hospitalizations. There is no vertical transmission of COVID-19 disease observed in this case series.