Baking soda in epidural may reduce need for general anesthesia in urgent C-Sections

NCT ID NCT05313256

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether adding sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to the standard epidural painkiller (lidocaine with epinephrine) could provide better pain relief for women needing an extremely urgent C-section during labor. 65 women were randomly assigned to receive either the buffered or standard version. The main goal was to see if fewer women would need general anesthesia due to inadequate pain control.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
lidocaine with epinephrine, with or without sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer faster, more reliable pain relief for emergency C-sections, lowering the need for general anesthesia.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed Phase 2/3 trial with only 65 participants, so results may not apply widely. The intervention only targets pain during a specific procedure, not the underlying condition.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Obstetric Labor Complications

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • CH de la Côte Basque

    Bayonne, France

  • CHU de Bordeaux

    Bordeaux, France

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