Sugar drinks during labor may cut need for forceps delivery

NCT ID NCT01022697

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

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