Simple drug may prevent worrisome fetal heart tracings after epidural

NCT ID NCT05873218

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether giving a low dose of ephedrine right after an epidural can prevent abnormal fetal heart rate patterns in laboring women. About 100 women requesting labor pain relief will receive either ephedrine or a placebo. The goal is to see if ephedrine reduces the chance of a category II fetal heart tracing, which can be a sign of distress.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Ephedrine

What this could lead to

If it works, this could give doctors a simple way to reduce the chance of fetal heart rate changes after epidural, making labor safer and less stressful.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase study with only 100 participants, so results may not apply to all women. Ephedrine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, though the dose used is low and considered safe in obstetrics.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SInai

    RECRUITING

    New York, New York, 10029, United States

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••