The Effect of Chocolate Consumption During Labor on Second Stage Duration

NCT07375836 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 0200-25-HYMC
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 180
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Childbirth is an energy-intensive physiological process, requiring sustained effort comparable in intensity to moderate physical activity. Studies suggest that providing an available energy source during labor, such as dextrose infusion or natural carbohydrate-rich foods such as dates, may shorten the duration of labor and improve cervical dilation without adversely affecting obstetric outcomes. The primary objective of the study is to examine whether giving chocolate during labor affects the duration of the second stage of labor, compared to a control group that will not receive a nutritional intervention. The study is a prospective, randomized, controlled trial that will be conducted in the delivery room of Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. Healthy pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy at ≥37 weeks gestational age, in spontaneous or induced labor, without diabetes (pre/gestational), will be recruited to participate. Participants in the intervention group will receive one serving of 50 grams of milk chocolate (cocoa content 25-30%, without filling or additives) at a cervical dilation of 6 cm or more (and not yet fully dilated). The mother will be asked to consume the serving gradually over 30 minutes. Milk chocolate was chosen because it is better tolerated compared to dark chocolate, has a more gentle profile of active ingredients (which can increase nausea and heartburn) and provides a source of available carbohydrates. The study will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health's procedure for medical experiments on humans, and will be conducted after approval by the Institutional Helsinki Committee.

Conditions

Labor; Second Stage of Labor; Pregnancy

Keywords

Second stage of labor; Oral carbohydrate intake; Non-pharmacologic intervention; Maternal exhaustion; Pregnancy; Labor; Randomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Duration of second stage of labor

  The duration of the second stage of labor, defined as the time in minutes from full cervical dulation (10cm) to delivery of the neonate.

  From full cervical dilation to delivery

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Mode of delivery

  At delivery

• Maternal nausea or vomiting during labor

  From intervention administration untill discharge from labor room

• Neonatal Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes

  1 and 5 minutes after delivery

• Umbilical cord blood glucose level

  at delivery

• Maternal heart rate

  During the second stage of labor

Study Arms (2)

50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30%

EXPERIMENTAL

. Participants in the intervention group will receive one serving of 50 grams of milk chocolate (cocoa content 25-30%, without filling or additives) at a cervical dilation of 6 cm or more. The mother will be asked to consume the serving gradually over 30 minutes.

Other: 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30%

control group - no intervention

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group will receive routine care as is customary in the delivery room, without any proactive nutritional supplementation.

Interventions

50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30% OTHER

Milk chocolate was chosen as it is better tolerated compared to dark chocolate, has a milder profile of active ingredients (which can increase nausea and heartburn) and provides a source of available carbohydrates. A dose of 50 grams was chosen that provides 25-30 grams of simple carbohydrates - sufficient for a significant increase in blood glucose but low enough to prevent a sudden sugar load or nausea. The intervention will be given at 6-9 cm dilation, towards the transition to the second phase - to allow the absorption of glucose and neurochemicals to be deafened at a time when the body needs increased energy and alertness. Giving it earlier may result in the effect of the chocolate wearing off before the second phase, and later - there will be no time for effective absorption.

50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30%

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: It is limited due to the ability to give birth
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Gestational age ≥37 weeks
• Single fetus in cephalic presentation
• Spontaneous or induced labor in the active phase (dilation ≥ 5 cm).
• Normal assessment of the mother and fetus upon admission to the delivery room (normal indices, normal monitoring and biophysical profile)
• BMI 18-35 -

You may not qualify if:

• Multiple pregnancies
• Gestational age \<37 weeks
• Gestational or pre-gestational diabetes
• Significant underlying diseases
• Previous cesarean section/myomectomy
• Known significant fetal malformation
• Sensitivity to chocolate ingredients
• Lack of documentation of necessary information -

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hillel Yaffe Medical Center: lead

Central Study Contacts

Libby O Madar, M.D

CONTACT

+972-4-7744602; NoaAl@hymc.gov.il

Rinat Gabbay-Benziv, M.D

CONTACT

+972-4-7744514

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study. Masking is not feasible due to the nature of the intervention. However, the primary outcome is an objective measure, minimizing the risk of assessment bias.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This is a randomized, parallel-group interventional study. Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either oral carbohydrate supplementation (chocolate) prior to second stage of labor, or standard intrapartum care. Outcomes will be compared between groups. The primary outcome is the duration of second stage of labor, with secondary maternal and neonatal outcomes assessed.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 21, 2026
• First Posted: January 29, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: February 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share