Bicarbonate drink could reduce emergency C-Sections in prolonged labour

NCT ID NCT07321379

Disease control Sponsor: Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a single dose of oral bicarbonate can reduce the need for assisted delivery (emergency C-section or vacuum/forceps) in first-time mothers with prolonged labour. 1520 women will be randomly assigned to receive bicarbonate or a placebo. After two hours, if labour hasn't progressed, standard oxytocin treatment is given. The study also tracks birth experience 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: sodium bicarbonate
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to reduce emergency C-sections and vacuum/forceps deliveries in prolonged labour.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage trial with no prior human data for this use. The effect may be small or none, and results may not apply to all women.

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.

Phase

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

About 1,520 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Feb 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Jan 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

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.

Ages

18 to 50 years

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: * Age ≥18 years. * Danish or English speaking. * Cephalic presentation. * Gestational age ≥34+0 - \<42+0 (days +weeks) at onset of labour. * Normal foetal heart rate pattern in the 20 minutes prior to inclusion. * Spontaneous onset of labour or non-medical induced labour (balloon catheter and/or artificial rupture of membranes). * Active first stage of labour confirmed, according to Danish national guidelines: Cervical dilatation at ≥4 - \<10 cm with regular painful contractions. * Prolonged labour diagnosed, according to Danish national guidelines: Cervical dilatation progresses at less than 2 cm over a 4-hour period. Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical suspicion of infection (2 confirmed temperatures ≥38.5°C with epidural, ≥38 °C without epidural, or broad-spectrum antibiotics initiated) * Significant medical comorbidity in the form of renal or heart condition, assessed case-by-case basis. * Serious obstetric complication * Known allergy or intolerance to sodium bicarbonate. * Ingestion of sodium bicarbonate in active labour prior to inclusion. * Current treatment with following medicines: Gabpabpentin, Tetracycline, Ketoconazole (NB! These medications are already generally advised contradicted against induring pregnancy)

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

dystocia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Labor dystocia Prolonged labor

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

3 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Bicarbonate drink could reduce emergency C-Sections in prolonged labour

What the study statuses mean