Fueling Labor: Protein Supplementation for Intrapartum Glucose Control

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Diabetes During Pregnancy

In brief

The goal of this study is to learn if high-protein drinks during labor can improve blood sugar control in pregnant women with insulin-treated diabetes. It will also help us learn if this approach is acceptable and well-tolerated by patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does drinking high-protein beverages during labor keep blood sugar in a healthier range compared to drinking standard clear liquids? * How do participants feel about drinking protein beverages during labor, and does it affect their energy levels and birth experience? * Is the baby less likely to have low blood sugar after birth when the mother drinks protein beverages during labor? Researchers will compare women who drink high-protein beverages to women who drink standard clear liquids (like juice, broth, and popsicles) to see if protein drinks help keep blood sugar more stable during labor. Participants will: * Wear a small, painless glucose sensor on their arm from when labor starts until about one week after giving birth * Be randomly assigned to either drink a clear protein beverage every 4 hours during labor OR drink standard clear liquids as usual * Complete short surveys about how tired they feel during labor, their overall birth experience, and their overall experience with the glucose sensor

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07571343

Run by

Medical College of Wisconsin

People needed

60

Starts

2026-07-01

Expected to finish

2028-07-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age ≥18 years
• Singleton pregnancy
• Gestational age ≥37 0/7 weeks at time of induction
• Diagnosis of gestational diabetes requiring insulin therapy (GDM A2) or pre-existing Type 2 diabetes managed with insulin during pregnancy
• Admission to labor and delivery for induction of labor
• Able and willing to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Multifetal gestation
• Major fetal anomalies or conditions affecting neonatal glucose regulation
• Stillbirth
• Planned cesarean delivery
• Inability to provide consent
• Contraindication to oral intake (e.g., NPO status for clinical indication)
• Known allergy or intolerance to study materials, including components of the high-protein supplement or CGM device

Where it is running

• Froedtert Hospital — Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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