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Fueling Labor: Protein Supplementation for Intrapartum Glucose Control

Key facts

Who runs it
Medical College of Wisconsin
Where
Milwaukee, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
60 people, planned
Started
1 Jul 2026
Expected to end
30 Jul 2028
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • High-Protein Beverage (Genius Gourmet Sparkling Protein Water)
  • Standard Clear Liquid Diet
  • Continuous Glucose Monitoring (Abbott Freestyle Libre)
Record updated
26 October 2026

Who can take part

Age
18 years and older
Sex
Women only
Healthy volunteers
Cannot take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 14 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Age ≥18 years
  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Gestational age ≥37 0/7 weeks at time of induction
  • Diagnosis of gestational diabetes requiring insulin therapy (GDM A2) or pre-existing Type 2 diabetes managed with insulin during pregnancy
  • Admission to labor and delivery for induction of labor
  • Able and willing to provide informed consent

Who cannot take part

  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • Known allergy or intolerance to study materials, including components of the high-protein supplement or CGM device
  • Major fetal anomalies or conditions affecting neonatal glucose regulation
  • Multifetal gestation
  • Stillbirth
  • Planned cesarean delivery
  • Inability to provide consent
  • Contraindication to oral intake (e.g., NPO status for clinical indication)

Where in United States

  • Froedtert HospitalMilwaukee, United StatesContact: Sukanya SkandarajahTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

The goal of this study is to learn if high-protein drinks during labor can improve blood sugar control in pregnant women with insulin-treated diabetes. It will also help us learn if this approach is acceptable and well-tolerated by patients. The main questions it aims to answer are:

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* Does drinking high-protein beverages during labor keep blood sugar in a healthier range compared to drinking standard clear liquids? * How do participants feel about drinking protein beverages during labor, and does it affect their energy levels and birth experience? * Is the baby less likely to have low blood sugar after birth when the mother drinks protein beverages during labor?

Researchers will compare women who drink high-protein beverages to women who drink standard clear liquids (like juice, broth, and popsicles) to see if protein drinks help keep blood sugar more stable during labor.

Participants will:

* Wear a small, painless glucose sensor on their arm from when labor starts until about one week after giving birth * Be randomly assigned to either drink a clear protein beverage every 4 hours during labor OR drink standard clear liquids as usual * Complete short surveys about how tired they feel during labor, their overall birth experience, and their overall experience with the glucose sensor

The 2 groups in the trial

  • High-Protein SupplementationTreatment being tested

    Participants will be offered Genius Gourmet Sparkling Protein Water (approximately 30 g protein, 0 g carbohydrate, 0 g fat, 130 kcal per 12-ounce serving) every 4 hours beginning at randomization until delivery. Consumption is voluntary. All participants will wear a blinded CGM from admission through 7 days postpartum.

    Treatment: High-Protein Beverage (Genius Gourmet Sparkling Protein Water) and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (Abbott Freestyle Libre)

  • Standard Clear Liquid DietExisting treatment, for comparison

    Participants will receive standard institutional clear liquid diet (water, ice chips, clear fruit juices, clear carbonated beverages, popsicles, clear broth, gelatin) ad libitum throughout labor per routine institutional practice. All participants will wear a blinded CGM from admission through 7 days postpartum.

    Treatment: Standard Clear Liquid Diet and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (Abbott Freestyle Libre)

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Fueling Labor: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of High-Protein Supplementation During Labor to Improve Glucose Control in Insulin-Treated Diabetes Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Record updated
26 October 2026