Carbohydrate drink vs low-sugar beverage during labor with epidural analgesia

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a pilot, triple-blind randomized trial enrolling low-risk term pregnancies to compare energy supplementation with a carbohydrate-rich sports gel against a low-sugar beverage during labor. The intervention starts 60 minutes after epidural analgesia and is repeated every 3 hours, up to four doses, until delivery. The study uses a single-center setting to estimate preliminary effects on labor outcomes, maternal comfort, and neonatal measures, addressing the metabolic demands of labor with and without carbohydrate support. Eligibility focuses on term, cephalic, Epidural-receiving pregnancies who are fluent in Catalan or Spanish, with informed consent obtained before labor.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy classified as Normal Pregnancy, Low-Risk Pregnancy, or Medium-Risk Pregnancy according to the "Protocol de seguiment de l'embaràs a Catalunya" and "Protocol de naixement i acompanyament al naixement de Catalunya".
* Use of epidural analgesia during labor.
* Ability to understand Catalan and/or Spanish.
* Term pregnancy (≥37 weeks gestation).
* Cephalic presentation.
* Spontaneous onset of labor, OR induced labor due to prolonged pregnancy or premature rupture of membranes (regardless of duration).
* Prenatal care at ASSIR Terres de l'Ebre with planned delivery at Hospital Universitari Tortosa Verge de la Cinta.
* Signed informed consent prior to labor.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Gestational diabetes (including diet and exercise controlled).
* Multiple gestation.
* Labor not documented in partograph.
* Informed consent not signed prior to labor.
* Medical indication requiring administration of glucose or glucose-saline intravenous solution during labor (withdrawal criterion).

Where it's running

• Hutvc
  Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Olga Casanova Callau, Midwife — Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (IRBCatSud), Tortosa, Spain; Servei de Paritori, Hospital Universitari de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta, Institut Català de la Salut, Tortosa, Spain.
• Study coordinator: Olga Casanova Callau, Midwife
• Email: ocasanovac.ebre.ics@gencat.cat
• Phone: +34977519100

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Using MRI for safer pelvic measurements in pregnant women

  This study is testing a new MRI method to safely measure the pelvis in pregnant women without using radiation, to see if it works as well as traditional CT scans.

  Recruiting Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc- Université Catholique de Louvain · Brussels · NCT06485323

• Using a home ultrasound device for visual biofeedback before labor

  This study is testing whether using a home ultrasound device to practice pushing techniques can help expectant mothers feel more confident and satisfied during labor.

  Recruiting Rabin Medical Center · Petah Tikva · NCT06049784

• Using Monoferric to treat iron deficiency in pregnant women

  This study is testing a single-dose treatment called Monoferric to see if it can safely help pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia who can't take regular iron pills.

  Recruiting Early Phase 1 Oregon Health and Science University · Portland, Oregon · NCT05763043

• A decision support tool for families facing preterm delivery decisions

  This study is testing a new tool to help families make better decisions about care for their premature babies born between 22 and 26 weeks of pregnancy.

  Recruiting at 12 sites Indiana University · San Diego, California and 11 other locations · NCT05264779

• Investigating early life environmental impacts on health in Shenzhen

  This study is trying to see how the environment during pregnancy affects the health of mothers and their children in Shenzhen, China, over seven years.

  Recruiting Sun Yat-sen University · Shenzhen, Guangdong · NCT03830879

• Intrapartum Support and Pushing Strategies for Women with Low-Dose Epidural Analgesia

  This study tests three labor care approaches for women with low-dose epidurals to see which helps labor progress best and safest.

  Recruiting National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences · Taipei · NCT07663500

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.