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Intrapartum Ultrasound in Labor: Sonography Only, Few Internal Examinations

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Labor Complication
Interventions
Other: Sonography in labour
Registration Number
NCT06261710
Lead Sponsor
Larry Hinkson
Brief Summary

This is a prospective, randomized trial to determine whether the use of sonographic parameters during labor results in less intrapartum infection compared to traditional invasive examination. Other secondary outcomes include maternal satisfaction and overall birth outcomes.

Detailed Description

It is a prospective, randomized trial to determine whether the use of sonographic parameters during childbirth results in less intrapartum infection compared to traditional invasive examination. Intrapartum non-invasive ultrasound has been established and validated as a method of assessing labor progress. Guidelines from international societies recommend the use of ultrasound to monitor labor and support decision-making during delivery. Despite its reproducibility and reliability, there is no comprehensive work to date demonstrating the potential benefit in reducing clinical chorioamnionitis compared to traditional invasive vaginal examination. With this in mind, the investigators set out to analyze the clinical benefit of using ultrasound alone using established non-invasive, intrapartum, translabial parameters (Angle of Progression, Head Perineum Distance, Midline Angle, Cervix Dilatation) to monitor birth outcomes compared to traditional invasive vaginal examinations.

Primary Outcome is the incidence of clinical chorioamnionitis. Secondary Outcome measures include mode of delivery and neonatal outcomes such as neonatal admission.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
356
Inclusion Criteria
  • Pregnant women of at least 18 years of age with a singleton in the cephalic position
  • Spontaneous onset of labor; births after induction of labor with otherwise suitable inclusion and exclusion criteria are also permitted.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Emergency situations such as maternal or fetal bleeding
  • Indication for urgent delivery by caesarean section
  • Pathological cardiotocogram
  • non-cephalic positions
  • under 18 years of age
  • women giving birth who are unable to give consent

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sonography OnlySonography in labourThe use of ultrasound parameters to asses the progress of labour from admission to delivery. Namely, Angle of Progression, Head Perineum Distance, Midline Angle and Cervix Dilatation at 3-4 hour intervals until delivery.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Maternal LeucocytosisIn the course of labour from admission until delivery in 6 hour intervals

Percentage. Incidence of maternal leucocytosis (white blood cell count \>15,000 leukocytes per microliter of blood) in patients within the group

Maternal Tachycardia IncidenceIn the course of labour from admission until delivery in 3-4 hour intervals

Percentage. Incidence of \>100 beats per minute as maternal pulse measurement in patients within the group

Uterine tendernessIn the course of labour from admission until delivery 3-4 hour intervals

Percentage. The incidence of uterine tenderness on palpation during the course of labour in patients within the group

Fetal TachycardiaIn the course of labour from admission until delivery

Percentage.The incidence of fetal tachycardia (\>160 beats per minute) on continuous Cardiotocographic Monitoring in patients within the group

Maternal Fever IncidenceIn the course of labour from admission until delivery in 3-4 hour intervals

Percentage. Incidence of Fever \>37.8°C measured with a thermometer in patients within the group

Foul-smelling amniotic fluidIn the course of labour from admission until delivery

Percentage . The incidence of foul-smelling amniotic fluid on clinical examination in patients with in the group

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Incidence of Caesarean sectionIn the course of labour until delivery

Percentage.The incidence of Caesarean section (No. of Cesareans as a percentage of the Group total)

Average ageUpon admission for delivery

Number (years) measured per patient and the average within the group.

Incidence of estimated blood loss >1000 mlIn the course of labour until delivery and up to 24 hours postpartum

Percentage.The incidence of estimated blood loss \>1000 millilitres (No. of cases as a percentage of the total in the group)

Incidence of Neonatal AdmissionUp to 6 weeks postpartum

Percentage. The incidence of neonatal admission in patients within the groups

Incidence of Instrumental DeliveryIn the course of labour until delivery

Percentage.The incidence of instrumental deliveries (No. of instrumental deliveries as a percentage of the total in the group)

Completed weeks of pregnancyUpon admission for delivery

Number (weeks) measured per patient and the average within the group.

Maternal weightUpon admission for delivery

Number (kilograms) measured per patient and the average within the group.

Maternal heightUpon admission for delivery

Number (centimetres) measured per patient and the average within the group.

Previous pregnancyUpon admission for delivery

Number measured per patient and the average within the group.

Incidence of Vaginal ExaminationsIn the course of labour until delivery

Percentage. The number of vaginal examinations performed in labour on average per patient within the group.

Maternal Satisfaction ScoresOn admission and after delivery

Linkert scores. Questionnaire on maternal views on the use of examination in labour. (Linkert scores from 1-6 with increasing scale)

Incidence of antibiotics usageIn the course of labour until delivery and up to 24 hours postpartum

Percentage.The incidence of antibiotic use (No. of cases as a percentage of the total in the group)

Neonatal weightUp to 30 Minutes after birth

Number. Gramms measures on weighing on a scale

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Charité University Hospital

🇩🇪

Berlin, Germany

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