Effect of Maternal Awareness of the Duration fo the Second Stage of Labor on the Length of the Second Stage

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Labor, Second Stage, Motivation, Feedback, Psychological, Self Efficacy, Personal Satisfaction, Perception

In brief

This study aims to understand whether informing laboring patients about how long they have been pushing during the second stage of labor affects the length of that stage and the overall childbirth experience. The second stage of labor is the period from when the cervix is fully dilated until the baby is delivered. When this stage lasts longer than expected, it can increase the chance of complications such as assisted delivery with vacuum or forceps, cesarean delivery, heavy bleeding after delivery, and certain neonatal complications. Although healthcare providers routinely track the duration of the second stage, patients are not always told how long they have been pushing. Some providers believe that sharing this information may help motivate patients and improve their sense of control, while others worry that it could increase stress or pressure. In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the intervention group, patients will receive regular updates about how long they have been pushing during the second stage of labor, and a visible timer will be used. In the comparison group, patients will receive standard care, which does not include structured time updates. All participants will receive the same medical care otherwise. The study will measure the length of the second stage of labor as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes such as the type of delivery, postpartum complications, newborn health indicators, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Participants will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire after delivery about their childbirth experience and sense of control during labor. The risks of this study are minimal because the intervention involves only providing information about time during labor. There are no changes to medical treatment or standard care. The information gained from this research may help clinicians improve communication with patients during labor and may identify simple ways to enhance patient experience and potentially improve labor outcomes. Participation in the study is voluntary, and patients may decline or withdraw at any time without affecting the care they receive.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07653334

Run by

Valmiki Vijay Seeraj

People needed

240

Starts

2026-07-01

Expected to finish

2029-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-17

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Singleton, cephalic presentation
• Gestational age ≥ 37+0 weeks at delivery.
• Reached the second stage of labor (complete cervical dilation with intention to proceed with vaginal delivery).
• Ability to understand study information and provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• Planned cesarean delivery.
• Intrauterine fetal demise.
• Critical maternal illness requiring intensive hemodynamic or respiratory support.
• Cognitive impairment or language barrier precluding consent and comprehension of instructions.
• Abnormal fetal heart tracing requiring operative vaginal delivery
• Shoulder dystocia requiring maneuvers other than McRoberts and suprapubic pressure

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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