Crowning time and levator ani muscle detachment after a first vaginal birth
Official title: Evaluation of Crowning Time on the Incidence of Levator Ani Muscle Avulsion
Run by Université de Sherbrooke · NCT07210788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We will see if the length of time the baby's head is crowning during labor is linked to levator ani muscle detachment in first-time moms who have a spontaneous vaginal birth.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 92 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Université de Sherbrooke Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Sherbrooke, Quebec) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 23, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 2026 |
| Study ends | February 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 7, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07210788 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adult first-time (primiparous) women at term (≥37 weeks) with a spontaneous, cephalic vaginal delivery are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Women who have cesarean deliveries, assisted vaginal births (forceps/vacuum), multifetal pregnancies, prior extensive pelvic surgery, or other exclusion criteria are unlikely to be included or to benefit directly from the findings.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This prospective cohort study follows primiparous women with a term, cephalic, spontaneous vaginal delivery to test whether crowning time in the second stage of labor is associated with levator ani muscle avulsion. Crowning time is routinely recorded by clinical staff during labor and participants will receive a standardized 4D transperineal ultrasound in the postpartum period to detect avulsion. Delivery records will be reviewed to collect potential confounders such as episiotomy and other delivery interventions. Enrollment is restricted to singleton, unassisted vaginal births to reduce confounding and focus on the specific effect of crowning time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If a link is found, clinicians could change labor management or episiotomy decisions to reduce pelvic floor injuries and lower future risks of incontinence and prolapse.
How similar studies have gone: Ultrasound detection of levator ani avulsion and links to instrumented delivery are established, but using recorded crowning time as a predictor is a novel question with little prior data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Primiparous women GxT1 At term: ≥ 37+0 weeks of gestation (included) Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) Cephalic presentation History of miscarriage before 20 weeks or with a fetal weight \< 350g Exclusion Criteria: Contraindications to vaginal delivery Assisted vaginal delivery Age under 18 years Shoulder dystocia Extensive pelvic reconstructive surgery (e.g., bladder exstrophy repair) Term intrauterine fetal demise Twin or multifetal pregnancy
Where it's running
-
CHUS Fleurimont
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Megan Boutilier, resident in OBGYN, Medical Degree
- Email: megan.boutilier@usherbrooke.ca
- Phone: 819-346-1110
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.