The Effect of Chocolate Consumption During Labor on Second Stage Duration

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Labor, Second Stage of Labor, Pregnancy

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07375836

Run by

Hillel Yaffe Medical Center

People needed

180

Starts

2026-02-01

Expected to finish

2027-01-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-04

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

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 -

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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