Visual Biofeedback Through Transperineal Ultrasound During the Expulsive Phase of Labour to Improve Maternal Childbirth Satisfaction

Launched by UNIVERSITAIRE ZIEKENHUIZEN KU LEUVEN · Feb 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new method to help improve women's satisfaction during childbirth. It focuses on using a technique called Visual Biofeedback through Trans-Perineal Ultrasound during the second stage of labor. The goal is to help mothers feel more in control and empowered during their delivery, which may lead to a more positive birth experience. The researchers believe that by improving communication between the mother and her healthcare team, the overall satisfaction with childbirth can be enhanced.

To participate in this trial, women must meet certain criteria. Eligible participants are those who are pregnant with a single baby, at least 37 weeks along, and planning to have a vaginal birth. They should also be receiving epidural pain relief during labor. However, women with certain health issues or significant psychiatric concerns, as well as those who cannot understand or give consent in Dutch, will not be included. If you join the study, you can expect to receive the Visual Biofeedback during labor, which may help you feel more connected and informed throughout the process.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• INCLUSION criteria (all must be met):
• • 1. Voluntary written informed consent of the participant.
• • 2. Term (37-42w) singleton gestations.
• • 3. Vaginally nulliparous (no previous vaginal birth \> 20 weeks of gestation).
• • 4. Fetus in cephalic presentation, without any major congenital or chromosomal anomalies.
• • 5. Admitted to the delivery unit in labour, regardless of the onset (spontaneous or induced).
• • 6. Epidural analgesia in situ.
• • 7. Non-pathological CTG at the time of recruitment (2015 FIGO classification).
• EXCLUSION criteria (if one or more is present):
• • Significant psychiatric comorbidity (psychiatric follow-up during pregnancy, or active (psycho-pharmacological) treatment).
• • History of severe PFDs/surgery (or any other condition affecting pelvic floor function/anatomy, besides pregnancy and delivery).
• • Significant neurological disease e.g., spinal injury, multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathy, etc.
• • Significant connective tissue disorders (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome).
• • Severe active maternal (pregnancy-related) comorbidity: non-exhaustive e.g., severe hypertensive disorder, significant antepartum haemorrhage, sepsis, thromboembolism, severe pre-existing cardiac/respiratory/neurological disease, etc. Well-controlled comorbidities will not be considered exclusion criteria (non-exhaustive e.g., well-controlled (gestational) diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, PROM without signs of intra-amniotic infection, etc.).
• • Linguistic barriers - not able to give written informed consent in Dutch.
• • Severe visual impairment (sufficient to the receipt/comprehension of visual biofeedback).