Bladder emptying method during epidural labor and postpartum urination
Intermittent Versus Continuous Bladder Catheterization in Epiduralized Laboring Patients: a Non-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
This trial will see if using one continuous catheter versus intermittent catheterization during epidural labor changes how often people have trouble urinating or get urinary infections after vaginal birth.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 564 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT07125326 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial assigns people receiving epidural anesthesia for planned vaginal delivery to either a single indwelling (Foley) catheter for the duration of labor or to intermittent catheterization at intervals. The primary outcomes are postpartum urinary retention and urinary tract infection rates, with predefined exclusions for baseline bladder disorders and intrapartum antibiotic use for the UTI analyses. Outcomes are measured in the immediate postpartum period and during follow-up to detect persistent voiding dysfunction. The study is conducted at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and enrolls patients who present in labor or for induction and receive an epidural.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant people age 18 or older planning vaginal delivery who receive epidural anesthesia and have a live fetus are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People planning cesarean delivery, under 18, with preexisting neurogenic or overactive bladder conditions, or already using catheterization during pregnancy are unlikely to benefit or may be excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could reduce postpartum urinary retention and infections and improve short- and long-term bladder health after delivery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small or observational studies have reported mixed results, so a randomized comparison of continuous versus intermittent catheterization during epidural labor is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant patients planning vaginal delivery presenting in labor or for induction of labor * Age 18 years and older * Live fetus * Receive epidural anesthesia Exclusion Criteria: * those under 18 years old * those with stillbirth * those with baseline overactive bladder symptoms, neurogenic bladder diagnoses, or otherwise using bladder catheterization during pregnancy Patients will be excluded from UTI analyses if: * they received antibiotics intrapartum * had bacteriuria diagnosed by a clean catch specimen showing \>100,000 CFU/mL of a single bacterial species, regardless of symptoms
Where this trial is running
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Elena Lands, MD
- Email: landsel@upmc.edu
- Phone: 7033465258
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.