Sugar drinks during labor may cut need for forceps delivery

NCT ID NCT01022697

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospital, Caen Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether giving women glucose drinks every 3 hours during labor could reduce the need for assisted delivery (forceps or vacuum) and shorten labor. Over 4000 women participated. The idea is that childbirth is like a sports event requiring energy, and oral glucose might help without the risks of intravenous sugar. The main goal was to see if fewer women needed instruments to deliver their baby.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: glucose drink
What this could lead to: If effective, glucose drinks could become a simple, low-cost way to reduce the need for forceps or vacuum during childbirth and shorten labor.
What could go wrong: This is a completed study, but earlier small studies found no clear benefit. The results may not show a meaningful reduction in assisted deliveries or could have limitations in generalizing to all birthing people.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CHILDBIRTH

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre Hospitalier

Bayeux, 14400, France
Centre Hospitalier Mémorial France Etats-Unis

Saint-Lô, 50000, France
Centre Hospitalier du Rouvray

Elbeuf, 76350, France
Clinique du Parc

Caen, 14000, France
Hospital, Avranches

Avranches, France
Hospital, Mont Saint Aignan

Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
University Hospital, Caen

Caen, 14033, France
University Hospital, Lille

Lille, France
University Hospital, Rouen

Rouen, France

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