The Norwegian World Health Organisation Labour Care Guide Trial (NORWEL)
Labor DystociaLabor Complication7 moreAppropriate and timely care during birth is critical to the survival and health of women and their babies. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) presented the Labour Care Guide (LCG) as the new recommended tool for monitoring birth and assessing progression, replacing the WHO partograph. This evidence-based guide was designed to ensure improved quality and safety of care, and to avoid unnecessary interventions during birth. The LCG was developed to be used in all settings globally, but it has only been tested in health facilities in South America, Asia and Africa, while it has not been tested in high-income settings. Implementing a new guideline for monitoring birth is a comprehensive operation that will affect both the national economy, health systems, and individual patients; therefore, further research on the possible advantages is needed before national enrolment. Hence, the trial proposed in this application is crucial to form the required foundation of knowledge. The trial will be conducted in labour wards at ten hospitals, covering all health regions in Norway, and the established Norwegian Research Network for Clinical Studies in Obstetrics (NORBIRTH), with dedicated local principal investigators, will provide a robust research environment. This trial will test the effect of the LCG. Results from this trial will provide knowledge needed to determine a future implementation of the LCG in Norway.
Monoferric for Prenatal Iron Deficiency
Obstetric Labor ComplicationsA prospective observational study of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia and oral iron intolerance or advanced gestational age.
Shenzhen Birth Cohort Study
Pregnancy ComplicationsGestational Diabetes3 moreThe Shenzhen Birth Cohort Study was set up to investigate the effect of early life environmental exposures on short- and long-term health consequences in Shenzhen, China.
Early Diagnosis and Intervention for Fetal Malposition in Active Labor and Its Impact on Mode of...
Cesarean Delivery Affecting FetusLabor Dystocia1 moreThe goal of this randomized trial is to test if changing a person's position in labor can increase the chances of delivering their baby vaginally. Specifically, it aims to answer the questions: In fetuses who are facing upwards (occiput posterior, OP) or sideways (occiput transverse, OT) during labor, does changing the patient's position during active labor to a side-lying posture with a peanut ball increase the chances of them having a successful, spontaneous vaginal delivery? Does changing the patient's position in active labor affect the position of the baby at the time of delivery? Do intentional position changes in labor impact patient-perceived autonomy during their labor and delivery experience? Participants will: Receive an ultrasound during labor to determine the position of their baby Be asked to adopt a specific position in labor (side-lying with peanut ball) if they are randomized to the study group Receive additional ultrasounds during labor to assess their baby's position Fill out a questionnaire about their labor experience following the delivery of their baby
Pravastatin to Prevent Preeclampsia
PreeclampsiaObstetric Labor Complications1 moreThis study is a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of 1,550 high-risk women to assess whether daily treatment with pravastatin administered early in pregnancy reduces the rate of a composite outcome of preeclampsia, fetal loss and maternal death. Women with a prior history of preeclampsia with preterm delivery less than 34 weeks will be randomized to pravastatin or placebo daily until delivery. Women will have monthly study visits during pregnancy, a follow-up visit at 6 weeks postpartum and children will have follow-up visits at 2 and 5 years of age.
No-worry Baby Project
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in PregnancyGestational Hypertension12 moreThe Huizhou mother-infant cohort was set up to investigate the effect of dietary factors and environmental exposures during pregnancy on health consequences of mothers and offsprings in Huizhou, China.
Prelabor Visual Biofeedback by a Self-operated Ultrasound Device
Obstetric Labor ComplicationsObstetric TraumaA substantial number of women report fear of childbirth and negative birth experiences. Our objective is to assess the efficacy of visual biofeedback before labor by self-operated home ultrasound for maternal pushing training, which is expected to reduce fear of childbirth, increase perceived control during birth, prevent prolonged labor and the ensuing maternal and neonatal negative adverse outcomes, and prevent maternal post-traumatic stress symptoms. Intrapartum visual biofeedback provided by obstetricians during the second stage of labor has been shown to increase pushing efficiency and improve maternal obstetric and psychological outcomes. Visual biofeedback has been performed only in an in-hospital setting and, with one exception we are aware of, only during labor. A Mobile Self-Operated Home Ultrasound System was reported as a feasible and reliable tool for obstetrical ultrasound. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with three study groups of pregnant women (37-39 weeks of gestation): (1) Obstetrical ultrasound+visual biofeedback in-hospital and at home using self-operated ultrasound; (1) Obstetrical ultrasound+visual biofeedback in-hospital; (3) Obstetrical ultrasound only. Visual biofeedback by ultrasound will be performed by transperineal ultrasound, enabling the future mother to visualize the descent of the fetal head within the birth canal in response to her pushing effort. Follow-up will be conducted two weeks later and at six weeks postpartum. Positive results following the application of biofeedback by self-operated home ultrasound may change the paradigm for pre-labour sonographic education. Self-operated home ultrasound will also enable more comprehensive pre-labor ultrasound-based education and hopefully reduce adverse physical and psychological outcomes following childbirth.
Transthoracic Echocardiography of Ventricular Function of Parturients in Labor
Obstetric Labor ComplicationsCardiovascular Diseases in Pregnancy1 moreThis echocardiography study will characterize heart structure and function during labor. Imaging of the heart during the stress of labor could increase detection of subclinical cardiovascular disease using advanced imaging techniques. Cardiac serum biomarkers and complication rates will also be measured and compared between patients with and without evidence of cardiovascular disease on echocardiography.
The Effect of Fluids on Aortic VTI During C-section
Pregnancy RelatedHemorrhage2 morePregnancy is associated with a myriad of physiologic changes, including expansion of blood volume, decrease in oncotic pressure, and increased cardiac output. The obstetric population is associated with intrapartum hemorrhage. Accordingly, it is important to have an accurate method to assess fluid status in intrapartum patients. The use of standard volume assessment tools including arterial lines and central venous catheters is limited given the brevity of obstetric procedures and the morbidity of these techniques on the awake patients, and the costs. Non-invasive methods to assess volume status (carotid dopplers, direct measurement of blood loss, bio-impedance devices) are imperfect. Echocardiography is an attractive tool to measure fluid status in experienced operators such as anesthesiologists. IVC diameter and variation of aortic velocity time integral are two measures that can be obtained via echocardiography and been studied in spontaneously breathing patients. The purpose of this study is to determine whether these measurements can be used in the assessment of volume status in the laboring patient.
Doppler Findings in the Fetal Cerebral Blood Vessels (VA/MCA) Within 24 Hours Before Delivery and...
UltrasonographyDoppler1 moreAssess differences in flow patterns in the fetal cerebral blood vessels within 24 hours before delivery between fetuses with a normal vs. adverse perinatal outcome. Explore maternal and/or fetal characteristics that might influence technical feasibility of doppler sonography of the fetal cerebral blood vessels in early labor at term. Assess reliability of the technique by measuring intra- and inter-observer variation in a subset of participants.