Twin pregnancy breakthrough? study tests simple devices to stop early labor

NCT ID NCT02518594

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

Summary

This large phase 3 trial tested whether a vaginal progesterone capsule or a silicone pessary (a supportive device) could prevent early preterm birth in women carrying twins who have a short cervix. Over 1,300 participants were randomly assigned to receive one of these treatments or a placebo from around 16 to 35 weeks of pregnancy. The goal was to see if either intervention could reduce the number of deliveries or fetal losses before 35 weeks.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Vaginal progesterone (Prometrium) and Arabin Pessary

What this could lead to

If effective, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to reduce preterm births in twin pregnancies with a short cervix, improving outcomes for babies.

What could go wrong

This trial is completed but results may not show a clear benefit over placebo. The interventions may not work for all twin pregnancies, and individual risks like infection or discomfort exist.

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

Locations

  • Baylor College of Medicine

    Houston, Texas, United States

  • Brown University

    Providence, Rhode Island, 02905, United States

  • Case Western Reserve University

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44109, United States

  • Columbia University

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

  • Duke University

    Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

  • Magee Women's Hospital

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

  • Northwestern University-Prentice Hospital

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

  • Ohio State University

    Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

  • The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco

    San Francisco, California, United States

  • University of Alabama - Birmingham

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States

  • University of Colorado

    Denver, Colorado, 80045, United States

  • University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

  • University of Texas - Galveston

    Galveston, Texas, 77555, United States

  • University of Texas - Houston

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • University of Utah Medical Center

    Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States