Labor
Conditions
Keywords
Food, Fluids, Labor
Brief summary
Fasting during labour is a usual conduct in many hospitals around the world (due to the theorical risk of bronchoaspiration). There is little evidence supporting this conclusion. Besides, there are several studies that suggest that food intake during labour can be associated with shorter labours and a lower cesarean rate. The aim of the investigators study is to show if the oral intake of fluids during labour can reduce the first stage of labour with minimum risk to the patient.
Interventions
PROCEDUREDiet
Oral intake of fluids during labour, from admission (dose: two cups of 8 ounces each of clear tea with little sugar).
PROCEDUREFasting
No intake of fluids during labour.
Sponsors
Saint Thomas Hospital, Panama
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Gestational age \> 37 weeks. * Cervical dilation \< 5 cms.
Exclusion criteria
* Maternal pathologies (diabetes, heart disease, preeclampsia) * Breech presentation or any other condition that is an indication of cesarean section. * Premature rupture of membranes.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Duration of labour (measured in minutes from admission to delivery) | Two months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Number of cesarean sections due to prolonged second stage of labour (measured in number of cases). | Two months |
| Number of cases of bronchoaspiration. | Two months |
Countries
Panama
Outcome results
None listed