Epidural and birth injuries: new study of 8,500 births seeks clarity

NCT ID NCT07255014

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Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

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Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
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Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

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Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

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

Summary

This study analyzed medical records from over 8,500 vaginal deliveries to see if having an epidural increases the chance of genital tract injuries like tears or episiotomies. Researchers also looked at whether epidurals are linked to the use of forceps or labor induction. The goal is to settle a long-standing debate and help guide safer childbirth practices.

What this could mean

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

What this could lead to
If the results clarify the link between epidurals and birth injuries, this could help doctors and expectant mothers make more informed decisions about pain relief during labor.
What could go wrong
This is an observational study using past medical records, so it can only show associations, not cause and effect. The findings may not apply to all hospitals or birthing practices.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

8,516 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Dec 2024

Finished

May 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Women giving birth by vaginal delivery within the CHU Brugmann Hospital, from January 1 2020 till December 31 2002

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: Vaginal delivery within the CHU Brugmann Hospital, from January 1 2020 till December 31 2002 Exclusion Criteria: * Incomplete medical files * Delivery before 25 weeks of pregnancy * Out of Hospital delivery * Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) * Cesarean delivery

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • CHU Brugmann

    Brussels, 1020, Belgium