An interventional study of 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30% in Labor, Second Stage of Labor and Pregnancy, sponsored by Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. Not yet recruiting. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 50 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-04.
Sponsored by Hillel Yaffe Medical Center · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
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.
Hillel Yaffe Medical Center is the lead sponsor of 305 studies on the registry; 10 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
. 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.
Other: 50 g of milk chocolate cocoa content 25-30%
Participants in the control group will receive routine care as is customary in the delivery room, without any proactive nutritional supplementation.
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.
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.
Time frame: From full cervical dilation to delivery
Mode of delivery
Mode of delivery categorized as spontanous vaginal delivery, operative vaginal delivery (vacuum), or cesarean delivery
Time frame: 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
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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
Time frame: at delivery
Maternal heart rate
Maternal heart rate measured in beats per minute as recorded by continous intrapartum maternal monitorind
Time frame: During the second stage of labor
Umbelical cord blood PH
Umbelical cord blood PH measures immediatley after delivery
Time frame: At delivery
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Feb 2026; primary completion for Jan 2027, 11 months later.
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Feb 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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