Increasing oxytocin doses to reduce caesarean sections in obese first-time mothers during labor

Effect of Increased Oxytocin Doses on the Mode of Delivery in Obese Primiparous Women With Spontaneous or Induced Labour. A Double-blind, Randomised, Controlled Trial

Phase 4 Interventional Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · NCT04760496

This study is testing if giving higher doses of oxytocin during labor can help first-time obese mothers have fewer caesarean sections.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment882 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Academic / other
Locations14 sites (Angers and 13 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04760496 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates whether higher doses of oxytocin can decrease the rate of caesarean sections in obese primiparous women who are experiencing spontaneous or induced labor. It is a double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing standard oxytocin doses with increased doses administered via pump or electrical syringe. The primary goal is to assess the impact of these doses on the incidence of caesarean deliveries, while secondary objectives include evaluating maternal and labor complications. The study aims to improve outcomes for a vulnerable population by optimizing labor management with oxytocin.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are obese primiparous women aged 18 and older, with a BMI of 30 or higher, who are at term and experiencing spontaneous or induced labor.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit include those with medical contraindications for oxytocin, significant fetal anomalies, or prior uterine surgeries.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly lower the rate of caesarean sections in obese first-time mothers, reducing associated morbidity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies suggest that increasing oxytocin doses may improve labor outcomes in similar populations, but this specific approach is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria are the following:

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Nulliparous (no previous childbirth beyond 22 SA)
* BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² at the beginning of pregnancy
* Singleton pregnancy
* Spontaneous or induced onset of labour
* Cephalic presentation
* Term ≥ 37 weeks of gestation and \< 42 weeks of gestation
* Medical Indication and absence of medical contraindication for oxytocin during labour: inadequate and/or ineffective uterine contraction and/or delayed cervical dilation
* Written consent
* Affiliation to a french social security system

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria are the following:

* Hypersensitivity to the active substance (oxytocin), to any of its excipients or to latex (risk of cross allergy)
* Medical contraindication for oxytocin
* Coagulation disorders
* Foetal growth restriction (inferior to 5th percentile)
* Foetal malformation (major)
* Foetal heart rate anomalies before use of oxytocin (at the time of inclusion)
* History of uterine surgery (scarred uterus of gynaecological origin)
* Patient with a disease requiring caesarean section prior to labour (planned caesarean section before labour)
* Severe renal failure
* Patient deprived of their liberty (under curatorship or guardianship)
* Participation in another interventional trial of category 1. Patients included in interventional research with minimal risk and constraints may participate in the study after the investigator's assessment.

Where this trial is running

Angers and 13 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions ObesePrimiparous WomenOxytocinPrimiparous women
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.