A Trial of Intravenous Fluids During Labor

This will be a multi-center, prospective, single-blind randomized trial of two types of IV fluids for maintenance hydration during labor. This study will be conducted at 4 sites: Reading (Reading Hospital), Allentown (Lehigh Valley), St. Luke Hospital and Hershey (Penn State College of Medicine). It will include 1524 pregnant women at ≥ 36 weeks presenting in spontaneous labor for anticipated delivery.

The primary research hypothesis is that intravenous hydration during labor with a glucose-containing fluid will lead to more efficient uterine contractility and will lead to a reduction of cesarean delivery. The primary outcome measure is the occurrence of a cesarean birth during the study period. The primary analysis will use an intent-to-treat approach to examine differences between the two IV fluid treatments in the proportion of deliveries requiring cesarean section.

Inclusion criteria

• Women of any age with a singleton gestation in spontaneous labor at greater than or equal to 36 weeks without contraindication to participation.
• These women will be in good health and candidates for vaginal delivery.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are not candidates for vaginal delivery. This may be due to fetal malpresentation, prior cesarean section, multiple gestations, etc.
• Patients presenting for induction of labor or requiring induction upon admission.
• Patients presenting for scheduled cesarean section.
• Patients with any form of diabetes or glucose dysregulation condition.
• Concurrent use of steroids.
• Patients presenting in active labor with advanced cervical dilation (≥ 6 cm).
• Subjects participating in another labor and delivery related clinical trial that conflicts with this trial (as determined by the site PI).