Sipping water versus carbohydrate drinks while waiting for an elective caesarean
Comparison of 'Sip Til Send' Regimens Prior to Elective Caesarean Delivery Using Bedside Gastric Ultrasound: a Randomized Study Comparing Water With Carbohydrate-rich Drink
This will test whether sipping a carbohydrate drink instead of water while waiting for an elective caesarean changes stomach contents and improves recovery for pregnant women having caesarean delivery under regional anesthesia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 190 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | The Rotunda Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Dublin, Ireland/County Dublin and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07407530 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, randomized, single-blinded trial comparing two 'Sip Til Send' approaches: a water group and a carbohydrate drink group for women awaiting elective caesarean delivery. Participants may sip up to one cup (170 ml) per hour while in hospital, and bedside gastric ultrasound will be used before delivery to document stomach contents. Healthcare workers and investigators are blinded to group allocation, though participants cannot be blinded. Patient-reported recovery measures will be collected after delivery to compare comfort and recovery between groups.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant women booked for elective caesarean under regional anaesthesia who have adhered to standard fasting guidance and are eligible for Sip Til Send.
Not a fit: Women needing general anaesthesia, emergency caesarean, with BMI over 40, prior upper gastrointestinal or bariatric surgery, insulin-dependent diabetes, gestational diabetes, or those whose stomach cannot be visualized on ultrasound are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow more women to sip carbohydrate drinks before elective caesarean to reduce hunger and improve recovery without increasing stomach volume or aspiration risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show that 'Sip Til Send' with water is safe and that carbohydrate drinks reduce preoperative hunger, but directly comparing sipped carbohydrate drinks to water with bedside gastric ultrasound is a novel combination.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Planned caesarean delivery under regional anaesthesia * Adhered to national fasting guidance of 6 hours for food and 2 hours for clear fluids * Eligible for Sip Til Send Exclusion Criteria: * Planned general anaesthesia * Emergency or urgent caesarean delivery * Not fasted at time of recruitment * Unable to visualise stomach or Perlas 2 stomach identified at time of recruitment * Obesity of BMI \>40 * Previous upper GI or bariatric surgery * Age \<18 years * Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 or 2) * Gestational diabetes
Where this trial is running
Dublin, Ireland/County Dublin and 1 other locations
- Rotunda Hospital — Dublin, Ireland/County Dublin, Ireland (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Rotunda Hospital — Dublin, Ireland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ryan Howle, Consultant anaesthesiologist
- Email: rhowle@rotunda.ie
- Phone: 0830851686
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.