High Protein Intake to Decrease Emesis and Promote Patient Satisfaction in Labor

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of our study is to determine if the incidence of emesis can be lowered with the addition of a high protein drink during labor. Emesis and nausea are the leading causes of parturient dissatisfaction, results in a delay of returning to normal, daily living and can hugely impact the mother's postpartum experience. To date, no studies have been done on the relationship of protein intake during labor and incidence of emesis. To the best of our knowledge, the use of a high protein drink during labor has not been evaluated in the literature.

Detailed Description
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The investigators plan to enroll women (n=150) who requested epidural anesthesia for labor. After placement of their labor epidural catheter, parturients will be randomized by a computer generated number table into one of two groups. Group P - high protein drink with 30 grams of protein and ice chips PRN, or Group C - control group consisting of ice chips PRN. The protein drink that will be used is Premier Nutrition Protein Shake, which contains 30 grams of protein in 11 ounces. Measured variables will include; nausea and emesis at epidural placement, at hourly intervals until delivery, and 1 hour post delivery. Nausea will be evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS); 0 = no nausea and 10 = worst nausea ever. Episodes of emesis will be recorded as (yes/no). The parturient will be seen the day following delivery and evaluated for overall patient satisfaction. Parturients will rate their satisfaction level using a scale from 0-100 with 0=not satisfied and 100=very satisfied. The investigators believe that the incidence of emesis will be decreased in parturients who receive high protein intake during labor, and overall patient satisfaction will be increased.

Official Title
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A Prospective, Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of High Protein Intake on the Incidence of Emesis and Promotion of Patient Satisfaction After Epidural Analgesia for Labor

Conditions
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Emesis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Protein Shake


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All women of childbearing age who request labor epidural analgesia, ≤ 5cm cervical dilatation at the time of epidural insertion, > 36 weeks gestation, singleton pregnancy, vertex presentation, and NPO more than 4 hours prior to epidural insertion. Both nulliparous and multiparous women will be included. Minors under the age of 18 years will be included and a separate informed consent will be presented to these individuals. Exclusion Criteria: Women with diabetes (at increased risk for gastroparesis and fetal macrosomia), multiple gestation, non-vertex fetal presentation, chronic opioid use (delayed gastric emptying), history of gastric bypass surgery (abnormal anatomical stomach), severe morbid obesity (BMI > 40kg/m2 due to increased intragastric pressure), and history of known obstetric or medical complication (i.e. preeclampsia) that may increase the likelihood of a complicated or operative delivery (i.e. cesarean section).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 14 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: High Protein Shake<br>Protein shake that contain 30 grams of protein in 11 fluid ounces. | Other: Protein Shake<br>* Protein shake contains 30 grams of protein in 11 fluid ounces.<br>* Other names: Premier Nutrition Protein Shake;|
| No Intervention: Ice Chips<br>Patients allowed consumption of ice chips only during labor. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Emesis in labor | To determine the incidence of emesis after high protein intake in parturients who have received labor epidural analgesia up until one hour post delivery. | Throughout labor (up to one hour post delivery) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient satisfaction with labor after consumption of a high protein shake. | Our secondary aim is to determine the incidence of nausea after high protein intake during labor and overall parturient satisfaction with their birthing experience 24 hours post delivery. | Throughout labor (up to 24 hours post delivery) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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emesis, nausea