Does 8 hourly vaginal examination interval after amniotomy and cervical ripening with Foley's catheter in women with firstborn baby improve maternal satisfaction during labour?
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16222339 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16222339 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil Known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | MECID Number 2021315-9962 |
| Sponsor | University Malaya Medical Centre |
| Funder | Investigator initiated and funded |
- Submission date
- 29/03/2021
- Registration date
- 08/05/2021
- Last edited
- 10/06/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Currently, the standard practice for vagina examination for all women undergoing labour is at 4 hourly interval. However, frequent routine vagina examination can lead to pain, embarrassment and discomfort to labouring women. Frequent routine practise of vaginal examination also was found not to influence duration of labour and can also cause infection to baby after delivery.
This study aims to show that 8-hourly vaginal examination interval in pregnant women after cervical ripening with Foleys catheter and breaking of waterbag will improve women satisfaction
Who can participate?
Women aged 18 years or older, who are giving birth for the first time.
What does the study involve?
Using a random system, you would be randomly assigned into either Group 1 or Group 2 after your waterbag has been broken.
If you are in Group 1, the doctor involved will perform a vaginal examination on 8 hourly basis. If you are in Group 2, the doctor involved will perform a vaginal examination on 4 hourly basis as per standard care.
The doctor involved will record the duration of your labour, type of delivery you undergo, pain relieved used as per your demand and any problems that arises during labour and after delivery to both you and your baby
You will also be asked to rate your overall labour process satisfaction after your delivery
Both groups will have the same other medical procedure, examination, investigations, operation and care as of any other patients admitted for childbirth after induction with Foley’s balloon
You will receive other similar standard medical and childbirth care aside from the above-mentioned intervention
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There may or may not be any benefits to you. Information obtained from this study will help improve the treatment or management of other patients with the same disease or condition. There is no complication/side effect anticipated from the study. You will still receive the same standard medical and childbirth care as warranted by the clinical situation
Where is the study run from?
The Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Malaya Medical Centre (Malaysia)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2021 to December 2022 (updated 09/06/2021, previously: May 2022)
Who is funding the study?
The Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Malaya Medical Centre (Malaysia)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Che Mohd Nashreen bin Che Mohd Nashir, che_nasz@yahoo.com
Contact information
Scientific
Lot 5676, Off Jalan Lintang
Taman Sri Gombak, Selangor
Batu caves
68100
Malaysia
| Phone | +60 132914095 |
|---|---|
| mnashreen@ummc.edu.my |
Scientific
Maternal and Child Health Complex
University Malaya Medical Centre
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
| pctan@um.edu.my |
Scientific
Maternal and Child Health Complex
University Malaya Medical Centre
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
| jesrine@um.edu.my |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single centre interventional randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Participant information sheet | ISRCTN16222339_PIS_v1.1_01May2021.pdf |
| Scientific title | Randomised controlled trial of 4 hourly versus 8 hourly vaginal examination interval after amniotomy and cervical ripening with Foley's catheter in nulliparas |
| Study objectives | Eight hourly vaginal examination in nulliparous women after amniotomy and cervical ripening with foleys catheter will result in higher maternal satisfaction and comparable amniotomy to delivery interval versus 4-hourly vaginal examination |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 06/05/2021, University Malaya medical centre ethics committee (Lembah Pantai, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; +60 (0)3-79493209; no email provided), ref: 2021315-9962 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Maternal satisfaction with induction of labor |
| Intervention | All women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria undergoing induction via Foley catheter insertion are identified by health care providers at the delivery suite and antenatal ward. will be assessed for recruitment eligibility by going through their medical records when they attending their scheduled induction of labour in our obstetric unit. Participants who fulfilled the eligibility criteria will be provided with a patient information sheet and counselled for participation in this study. If women agree to participate, written and informed consent will be taken from participants. Following removal of foley’s catheter, manually or spontaneously, the vaginal examination will be performed and participants with cervical dilatation ≥ 3cm will be sent to labour ward for amniotomy. If participants fulfilled the final criteria; (i) cervical os dilatation of ≥ 3cm, (ii) cephalic presentation, (iii) station not higher than -2, (iv) reassuring fetal heart status, randomization will be performed post amniotomy. Titration of intravenous oxytocin augmentation is at the discretion of the care provider. Randomization will be carried out by opening the lowest-numbered seal opaque envelope. Randomization for 1:1 ratio with blocks of 4 and 8 done by an investigator not involved in the recruitment process will be used to generate the randomization code. Participants will be randomized to either the intervention group (Group 1) or the control group (Group 2). Participants in the intervention group will be subjected to 8 hourly routine vaginal examination while participants in the control group will be subjected to standard 4 hourly routine vaginal examination during labour. Participants on both groups will require additional vaginal examination as per standard care in the event of (i) administration of analgesia/epidural, (ii) fully dilated cervical os, or (iii) application of fetal scalp electrode. Labour progress will be documented in partograph. Fetal heart rate and uterine activity will be monitored continuously during the participants labor process. Following delivery, participants will be asked about maternal satisfaction; “Please rate your satisfaction on your allocated care during your labor “. The score will be rated by both groups via the Visual Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) with scoring from 0-10. Data will be collected as per the case report form. Detail pertaining to participant’s delivery outcome will be retrieved from medical notes and will be included in the case report form |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Maternal satisfaction of labour care measured using a Visual Numerical Rating Score (VNRS) from 0-10, assessed soon after delivery |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Current secondary outcome measures as of 09/06/2021: |
| Completion date | 31/12/2022 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target sample size at registration | 198 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Women who had cervical ripening with Foley catheter only and favourable cervix with cervical dilatation of 3cm or greater (suitable for amniotomy) with contraction <1:5min 2. Nulliparous 3. No prior pregnancy beyond 20 weeks gestation 4. Age 18 years and above 5. Gestational age of ≥37weeks at enrolment scheduled induction of labour 6. Scheduled induction of labour 7. Viable pregnancy 8. Cephalic presentation 9. Singleton pregnancy 10. Reassuring pre induction fetal cardiotocography (CTG) 11. Intact membrane |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Contraindication to vaginal delivery 2. Known gross fetal anomaly 3. Fetal weight clinically estimated to be ≤2 kg & ≥4kg and confirmed by ultrasound 4. Previous uterine surgery, ie: myomectomy, hysterotomy and history of iatrogenic uterine perforation |
| Date of first enrolment | 10/05/2021 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/04/2022 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Malaysia
Study participating centre
Kuala Lumpur
59200
Malaysia
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for this study are unknown and will be available at a later date |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 02/10/2024 | 10/06/2025 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | version v1.1 | 01/05/2021 | 01/06/2021 | No | Yes |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Protocol file | version v2.0 | 01/03/2021 | 01/06/2021 | No | No |
Additional files
- ISRCTN16222339_PROTOCOL_v2.0_01Mar2021.pdf
- Uploaded 01/06/2021
- ISRCTN16222339_PIS_v1.1_01May2021.pdf
- Uploaded 01/06/2021
Editorial Notes
10/06/2025: Publication reference added.
09/06/2021: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The study design was changed from "Single centre interventional single-blinded randomized controlled trial" to "Single centre interventional randomized controlled trial".
2. The overall end date was changed from 01/05/2022 to 31/12/2022.
3. The secondary outcome measures were changed.
4. Two contacts were added.
5. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
01/06/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. Uploaded protocol version 2.0, 1 March 2021 (not peer reviewed).
2. The participant information sheet has been uploaded as an additional file.
07/05/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by University Malaya medical centre ethics committee.
