Left-side versus lying on your back to shorten the active phase of labor
Left Lateral Position Versus Supine Position in Reducing the Duration of the Active Phase of Labor: A Randomized, Single-Blind Clinical Trial
This trial tests whether staying on your left side instead of lying on your back shortens the active phase of labor for first-time mothers at term.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 188 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department) |
| Trial ID | NCT07411352 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized trial enrolling 188 nulliparous women at term with a singleton cephalic pregnancy who are in active labor (≥6 cm dilation) at Hospital Escuela in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Participants are randomly assigned to remain in the left lateral decubitus position or the supine position, with positions maintained in 30-minute intervals and 5-minute rest breaks until delivery. The primary outcome is time from onset of the active phase (or start of the intervention) to delivery; secondary outcomes include cesarean section rate, use of oxytocin and analgesics, and maternal and neonatal complications. The study tests the hypothesis that the left lateral position will reduce active labor duration and potentially reduce unnecessary surgical interventions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are nulliparous women aged 18 or older at ≥37 weeks with a singleton cephalic pregnancy, intact membranes, in active labor (cervical dilation ≥6 cm), with no contraindication to vaginal delivery.
Not a fit: Patients with prior uterine surgery, multiple pregnancy, fetal anomalies or demise, maternal conditions that contraindicate vaginal delivery, preterm gestation, or other exclusion criteria are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, using the left lateral position could shorten the active phase of labor and may reduce the need for interventions such as cesarean delivery or increased oxytocin use.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research and clinical guidelines support allowing varied maternal positions in labor and some small studies suggest position can affect labor progress, but direct randomized comparisons of left lateral versus supine are limited and results have been mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Signed and dated informed consent form. * Nulliparous woman. * Singleton pregnancy at ≥37 weeks of gestation. * Intact amniotic membranes. * Cephalic presentation. * In the active phase of labor (cervical dilation ≥6 cm). * Age ≥18 years. * No contraindication for vaginal delivery. * Possession of a mobile phone (for potential follow-up contact). Exclusion Criteria: * Previous uterine surgery. * Maternal condition preventing vaginal delivery. * Fetal anomaly. * Premature rupture of membranes. * Multiple pregnancy. * Fetal demise. * Uterine myomas. * Maternal comorbidities (e.g., chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus type -1/2/gestational, hypothyroidism). * Anemia. * Age \<18 years. * Preterm gestation (\<37 weeks).
Where this trial is running
Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department
- Hospital Escuela — Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department, Honduras (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ricardo A. Gutierrez Ramirez, MD, MSc
- Email: ricardo.gutierrez@unah.edu.hn
- Phone: +50497546940
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.