Actively Recruiting
Examining the Gastric Emptying Halftime of Water Versus a Carbohydrate Sports Drink in Early Labor
Led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · Updated on 2025-10-23
108
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how quickly the stomach empties in women during early labor, comparing those who have had epidural pain relief with those who have not. The study focuses on the difference in gastric emptying time between drinking water and a carbohydrate-based sports drink, aiming to understand how these drinks affect stomach emptying and hunger during labor. Participants are divided into two groups: women in early labor without pain medication and women with epidural pain relief during early labor. Each participant will drink either 100 ml of water or 100 ml of a carbohydrate sports drink. Ultrasound will be used to measure the stomach volume over the next 60 minutes to determine the half-time of gastric emptying. Hunger levels will be recorded using a visual scale before drinking and at regular intervals for two hours. The study ends when participants consume food or drink, report a hunger level of 4 or higher out of 10, or after two hours. During the study, participants will undergo ultrasound assessments to monitor stomach emptying. They will also rate their hunger using a visual scale. Researchers will compare the half-time of gastric emptying between the drinks and between women with and without epidural analgesia. The main outcome is the gastric emptying half-time measured over 60 minutes, with hunger as a secondary outcome. The study is conducted in early labor and follows participants until the study endpoints are met.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Gastric Emptying of Water and Sports Drink in Labor
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Gestational age of 36 weeks or greater
- American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status 2 or 3
- Induction of labor or early labor (cervical dilation < 6cm)
- Singleton gestation
- Female participants aged 18 to 50 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Recent food ingestion (less than 3 hours before study)
- Preeclampsia
- Receiving magnesium sulfate
- Having received narcotics within 12 hours
- Diabetes mellitus
- Multiple gestations
- Active nausea or reflux symptoms
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 2 hours
Participants ingest either 100 ml of a carbohydrate sports drink or 100 ml of water. Ultrasound measurements of stomach volume are taken over the next 60 minutes, and participants report their hunger level at regular intervals for up to 2 hours. Participants may consume food or drink according to obstetric protocols during this time.
1 visit (in-person) with monitoring for up to 2 hours
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
4
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here