EPidural's Impact on Contractions and Fetal REsponse

Launched by CENTRAL CLINICAL HOSPITAL OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND ADMINISTRATION, WARSAW, POLAND · Feb 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called "EPidural's Impact on Contractions and Fetal REsponse," is studying how epidural anesthesia, a common pain relief option during labor, affects uterine contractions and the well-being of the baby. The researchers want to understand how epidurals change the way the uterus contracts and how these changes relate to fetal heart rate and blood flow. They will recruit 200 women who are in labor and eligible for epidural pain relief to see how these factors change before and after the epidural is given. The study will also look at differences between first-time mothers and those who have given birth before, as well as between pregnancies that are considered normal and those with complications.

To participate in this trial, women need to be at least 18 years old, be having a single baby, and be in labor with their cervix open at least 3 centimeters. They also need to have a normal heart rate tracing for the baby at least 30 minutes before receiving the epidural and must sign a consent form agreeing to participate. Women who are not eligible include those under 18, having a premature baby, or those who have received certain treatments or have specific health concerns. If you join the study, you can expect to be monitored closely, and the findings will help improve our understanding of how epidurals affect labor and baby health.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ≥ 18 years old
• • singleton pregnancy
• • signed informed consent form
• • patients in labor
• • cervical dilation ≥ 3cm,
• • patient requesting and eligible for epidural analgesia
• • normal CTG trace for at least 30 minutes before epidural analgesia
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • \< than 18 years old
• • preterm delivery
• • labor induced or stimulated by oxytocin
• • multiple pregnancy
• • fetal malformations
• • \< than 3cm cervical dilation
• • lack of CTG trace for at least 30 minutes before epidural analgesia
• • patient not requesting or not eligible for epidural analgesia
• • informed consent form not signed