A gentle hand and a clear image: could this simple technique reduce cesarean births?
NCT ID NCT07781189
First seen Aug 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 25, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether using ultrasound during labor to guide a gentle manual rotation of the baby's head can help more women deliver vaginally when the baby is facing the wrong way. About 164 women with a single, full-term pregnancy and a baby in a back-facing or side-facing head position will be randomly assigned to either receive this early rotation or usual labor care. The study will compare vaginal birth rates and other outcomes like labor length, safety, and newborn health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Ultrasound-guided early manual rotation of the fetal head
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this technique could increase the chance of vaginal birth and reduce the need for cesarean sections or assisted deliveries in women whose babies are in a back-facing or side-facing position during labor.
- What could go wrong
- The procedure may cause discomfort, fail to turn the baby, or lead to temporary fetal heart rate changes, bleeding, or injury. The trial is relatively small and results may not apply to all labor settings.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 164 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 45 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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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 Hide 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: 1. Singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation and term gestation (37⁺⁰ to 41⁺⁶ gestational weeks) 2. Active phase onset at approximately 6 cm cervical dilatation (range defined as 5-7 cm) 3. Either intact or ruptured fetal membranes, with feasibility for intrapartum ultrasonographic assessment 4. Intrapartum ultrasound confirms persistent or definite abnormal fetal occiput position: occiput posterior (OP) or occiput transverse (OT) 5. Manual rotation of fetal head may be considered when cervical dilatation reaches about 6 cm and intrapartum ultrasound demonstrates fetal presenting part below the level of maternal ischial spines (with standardized clinical operator position and corresponding ultrasonic indicators) 6. No contraindications to vaginal delivery; g) Informed consent obtained and signed by the parturient. Exclusion Criteria: 7. Non-cephalic presentation, brow presentation or face presentation 8. Suspected significant cephalopelvic disproportion 9. Conditions requiring urgent termination of pregnancy including placenta previa, placental abruption, umbilical cord prolapse and fetal distress 10. Previous scarred uterus unsuitable for trial of vaginal delivery;e) Multiple gestation;f) Major fetal structural anomalies or confirmed fetal chromosomal abnormalities 11. Intrauterine infection, maternal fever or other conditions deemed inappropriate for enrollment by researchers 12. Maternal voluntary refusal of manual fetal head rotation due to fear of labor pain or poor cooperation
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As listed by the trial registrant
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How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.