LaborNCT07375836
The Effect of Chocolate Consumption During Labor on Second Stage Duration
A study testing 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30% in people with Labor and Second Stage of Labor, run by Hillel Yaffe Medical Center.
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Labor, Second Stage of Labor, Pregnancy
- What is being tested?
- 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30%
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 180 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Feb 2026to Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 50 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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 -
Who cannot join
- 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 -
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Rinat Gabbay-Benziv, M.D contact
About this study
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
- Being tested
- 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30%
- Keywords
- Second stage of labor, Oral carbohydrate intake, Non-pharmacologic intervention, Maternal exhaustion, Pregnancy, Labor, Randomized controlled trial
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: 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. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: From full cervical dilation to delivery
Secondary outcomes (6)
Mode of delivery
Mode of delivery categorized as spontanous vaginal delivery, operative vaginal delivery (vacuum), or cesarean delivery
Measured: At delivery
Maternal nausea or vomiting during labor
The occurrence of maternal nausea or vomiting during labor following the assigned intervention, as documented in the medical record
Measured: From intervention administration untill discharge from labor room
Neonatal Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes
The Apgar score is assessed at 1 and 5 minutes after delivery. The total score ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating better neonatal condition.
Measured: 1 and 5 minutes after delivery
Umbilical cord blood glucose level
Umbilical cord blood glucose concentration measured from umbelical blood collected immediately after delivery (when a cord blood sample is obtained per routine practice
Measured: at delivery
Maternal heart rate
Maternal heart rate measured in beats per minute as recorded by continous intrapartum maternal monitorind
Measured: During the second stage of labor
Umbelical cord blood PH
Umbelical cord blood PH measures immediatley after delivery
Measured: At delivery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jan 2026
- Study startFeb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionJan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionJan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for LaborStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- 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.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 180 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hillel Yaffe Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07375836
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0200-25-HYMC
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Chocolate Consumption During Labor on Second Stage Duration
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07375836
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 0200-25-HYMC
- 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
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 180 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Hillel Yaffe Medical CenterOther government
- Study start
- Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 29 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- 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.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30% | Experimental | Other: 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30%. 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. |
| 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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 -
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Multiple pregnancies
- Gestational age <37 weeks
- Gestational or pre-gestational diabetes
- Significant underlying diseases
- Previous cesarean section/myomectomy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30%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. | Other | 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30% |
Primary outcome
Duration of second stage of labor
Time frame: From full cervical dilation to delivery
The duration of the second stage of labor, defined as the time in minutes from full cervical dulation (10cm) to delivery of the neonate.
6 secondary outcomes
Mode of delivery
Time frame: At delivery
Maternal nausea or vomiting during labor
Time frame: From intervention administration untill discharge from labor room
Neonatal Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes
Time frame: 1 and 5 minutes after delivery
Umbilical cord blood glucose level
Time frame: at delivery
Maternal heart rate
Time frame: During the second stage of labor
Umbelical cord blood PH
Time frame: At delivery
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Rinat Gabbay-Benziv, M.D contact
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30% in people with Labor and Second Stage of Labor, run by Hillel Yaffe Medical Center.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Libby O Madar, M.D (+972-4-7744602, NoaAl@hymc.gov.il), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Duration of second stage of labor (time frame: From full cervical dilation to delivery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Feb 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.