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The MODE Trial: Planned Caesarean Section Versus Induction of Labour for Women With Class III Obesity

Not Applicable
Conditions
Pregnancy, High Risk
Obesity
Cesarean Section Complications
Labor Onset and Length Abnormalities
Obesity Complicating Childbirth
Interventions
Procedure: Induction of Labour
Procedure: Caesarean section
Registration Number
NCT03985618
Lead Sponsor
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Brief Summary

Canadian guidelines recommend that women with a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) at or above 40 kg/m2 deliver by their due date. When delivery is planned prior to spontaneous labour, there are two options: planned induction of labour or pre-labour Caesarean (C-section). However, it is not yet clear whether induction of labour or planned pre-labour C-section is the best option for this population.

The MODE Trial aims to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger-scale trial of planned mode of delivery in first time mothers who have a BMI \>=40kg/m2, and obtain preliminary data on health outcomes for moms and babies following delivery by either planned C-section or induction of labour.

Detailed Description

Women with obesity have a decreased likelihood of achieving vaginal delivery. According to the Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries, the chance of spontaneous vaginal delivery in women with a BMI ≥35kg/m2 is 55%, while the chance is 36.7% in women with a BMI ≥40.0kg/m2. This number includes women who go into labour spontaneously, in which, the odds of a vaginal delivery are highest. The rate of failure to induce labour approaches 80% with increased complications and morbidity including abnormal fetal heart rate monitoring, labour dystocia, emergency C-section, and fetal macrosomia. It has been proposed that some women may benefit from a planned Caesarean section delivery. However, Caesarean sections are also not straightforward in women with obesity, and come with significant risks of short- and long-term morbidity for mother and baby, including prolonged operative times, higher volumes of blood loss and infection rates and higher rates of NICU admission.

Given that there are many considerations when deciding how to best deliver a woman with obesity, it is not surprising that there is a high degree of clinical equipoise. In reality, the decision is made jointly between the patient and her care provider, often guided by overall instinct and local resource availability.

Studies to date have been retrospective in nature. There is a significant need for prospective study of the outcomes and experiences of planned induction of labour and planned Caesarean section in women with obesity to allow evidence-based counselling and decision-making.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Capability of participant to comprehend and comply with study requirements
  • Age ≥18 years at time of consent
  • Nulliparous (never given birth after 19+6/7 weeks of gestation)
  • Pre-pregnancy BMI or calculated BMI obtained in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy ≥40kg/ m2
  • Participant plans to give birth in a participating site
  • Gestational age 34+0/7 - 36+6/7 weeks (based on estimated date of conception (EDC) assigned at the first ultrasound performed after 7+0/7 and prior to 20 +0/7 weeks)
  • Live fetus, documented positive heart rate at visit 1 prior to randomization
  • Singleton fetus in cephalic presentation at the time of randomization
  • No maternal or fetal contraindications to vaginal delivery
Exclusion Criteria
  • Known major fetal anomaly, confirmed by ultrasound or genetic testing
  • Multiple gestation
  • Known documented evidence of alcohol or drug abuse in this current pregnancy
  • Currently enrolled or has participated in another clinical trial within 3 months of the date of randomization (at discretion of Trial Coordinating Centre)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Randomized Induction of LabourInduction of LabourRandomized to planned induction of labour
Preference Caesarean sectionCaesarean sectionPreference for planned pre-labour Caesarean section
Randomized Caesarean sectionCaesarean sectionRandomized to planned pre-labour Caesarean section
Preference Induction of LabourInduction of LabourPreference for planned Induction of Labour
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Feasibility of conducting a larger-scale trial (randomization)18 months

Appropriateness of randomization, measured by the proportion of trial participants who consent to randomization

Feasibility of conducting a larger-scale trial (recruitment rate)18 months

Eligibility and recruitment rate, measured by the proportion of patients who are eligible and recruited into the trial

Feasibility of conducting a larger-scale trial (eligibility criteria)18 months

Appropriateness of eligibility criteria, measured by the reasons for exclusion of screened patients

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Maternal morbidity and mortalityPregnancy to 6 week postpartum

Rates of: maternal death, admission to ICU, intrapartum Caesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum wound infection, endometritis, venous thromboembolism (VTE), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (gestational hypertension or preeclampsia), indication for Caesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, indication for operative vaginal delivery, uterine incision extensions during Caesarean section, chorioamnionitis, third or fourth degree perineal lacerations, induction agents, pain medication use during induction, labour, Caesarean section and postpartum.

Length of hospital stayStart of induction to delivery; admission to delivery; and delivery until discharge, assessed up until 6-weeks postpartum

Length of hospital stay (in minutes) for both mom and baby

Fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortalityPregnancy to 6 week postpartum

Rates of: stillbirth, neonatal death, gestational age at birth, birthweight, need for respiratory support within 72 hours of birth, duration of respiratory support, 5 minute Apgar \<7, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, seizure, infection (confirmed sepsis or pneumonia), meconium aspiration syndrome, birth trauma (bone fracture, neurologic injury or retinal hemorrhage), cephalohematoma, intracranial or subgaleal hemorrhage, or hypotension requiring vasopressor support, breastfeeding rates, hypoglycemia requiring intravenous treatment, jaundice requiring treatment, need for transfusion.

Maternal satisfactionApproximately 48-hours post-birth and 42+/-7 days postpartum

Maternal satisfaction with study design and procedures, measured by a survey

Hospital readmission ratesDelivery to 6-weeks postpartum

The proportion of mothers and/or infants re-admitted to the hospital

Techniques for induction of labourAdmission to hospital until delivery, assessed up to 7 days from hospital admission.

What method was used for induction

Healthcare provider satisfaction18 months

Healthcare provider satisfaction with study design and procedures, measured through a survey

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Ottawa Hospital

🇨🇦

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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