Using Calcium Carbonate to Improve Labor Contractions

Calcium Carbonate to Augment Labor Contractions

Phase 4 Interventional Weill Medical College of Cornell University · NCT06580782

This study is testing if calcium carbonate can help improve labor contractions for first-time pregnant women who need help with labor.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorWeill Medical College of Cornell University Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
Trial IDNCT06580782 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the safety and acceptance of calcium carbonate as a medication to assist in the labor induction process. The goal is to determine if calcium carbonate can enhance labor contractions, thereby increasing the likelihood of vaginal deliveries and improving overall delivery outcomes. Participants will receive either calcium carbonate or standard synthetic Pitocin during labor. The study focuses on nulliparous women who are at least 36 weeks pregnant and are undergoing labor induction or augmentation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are nulliparous women aged 18 or older, with a singleton pregnancy at or beyond 36 weeks gestation, who are scheduled for labor induction or augmentation.

Not a fit: Patients who are not eligible include those with certain fetal conditions, planned cesarean deliveries, or those who cannot provide informed consent.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved labor outcomes and higher rates of vaginal deliveries for women undergoing induction.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of calcium carbonate in this context is relatively novel, similar studies exploring adjunctive medications for labor augmentation have shown promise.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years or older
* Nulliparas (no prior pregnancy lasting 20 weeks or greater of gestation)
* Gestational age above 36 weeks, at enrollment
* Present for induction or augmentation of labor inclusive of medical indication, elective induction at greater than 39 weeks' gestation, trial of labor after cesarean
* Singleton gestation (a multiple gestation reduced to a singleton, either spontaneously or therapeutically, before 14 0/7 weeks of gestation is acceptable)
* Ability to give informed consent
* Planned to undergo initiation of oxytocin infusion by their maternity care provider

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to understand or read English
* Presence of tachysystole (defined as more than 5 contractions in 10 minutes averaged over 30 minutes), recurrent variable or late fetal decelerations, and bradycardia in the prior 30 minutes before enrollment
* Non-vertex presenting fetus at enrollment
* Planned for cesarean delivery or contraindication to labor by institutional policy (e.g., placenta previa, vasa previa, active genital herpes infection, previous transmural myomectomy)
* Multi-fetal gestation (twins, triplets, and higher order multiples)
* Known contraindication to taking calcium carbonate including renal calculus, high urine calcium levels, elevated serum calcium, low serum phosphate, achlorhydria, or suspected digoxin toxicity.
* Deliveries with fetal chronic and/or pregnancy-related conditions, IUFD (Intra Uterine Fetal Death) or premature \< 36 weeks of gestation.
* Major fetal anomaly suspected prenatally (defined as a fetal anomaly with anticipated neonatal intensive care unit admission)
* Suspected alloimmunization (given the increased likelihood for anticipated neonatal intensive care unit admission)
* Known severe fetal growth restriction (estimated fetal weight \<3rd percentile) or abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies (given the increased likelihood for anticipated neonatal intensive care unit admission)
* Participation in another interventional study that influences management of labor and delivery or perinatal morbidity or mortality
* Known allergic reactions to synthetic oxytocin intravenous solution or to Calcium Carbonate
* Significantly impaired consciousness or executive function (e.g., intubated or sedated)
* Patients treated with calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine or magnesium.
* Chronic renal failure and hyperphosphatemia.
* Inability to tolerate oral intake (i.e., nausea/vomiting)

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

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 Labor DystociaLabor InductionLabor AugmentationLaborPregnancyCalcium Carbonatelabor induction
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.