Actively Recruiting
Intermittent Versus Continuous Bladder Catheterization in Epiduralized Laboring Patients: a Non-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Led by University of Pittsburgh · Updated on 2026-02-05
564
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how different methods of bladder catheterization during labor with epidural anesthesia affect postpartum urinary problems. The focus is on whether placing a catheter once or multiple times influences the rate of postpartum urinary retention and infections. This randomized controlled trial aims to assess these effects in patients planning vaginal delivery who receive epidural anesthesia. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: intermittent catheterization every four hours or more frequently if needed, and continuous catheterization with a catheter placed until pushing begins. The study compares these two approaches to see how they impact postpartum urinary outcomes. During the study, researchers will monitor postpartum urinary retention three days after birth as the primary outcome. They will also assess urinary tract infections one week postpartum, patient and nurse satisfaction immediately after birth, and voiding function at intervals up to one year postpartum. This careful monitoring helps evaluate the effects of catheterization methods on urinary health after delivery.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
How the Method of Bladder Emptying After Epidural Placement in Labor Affects Postpartum Voiding
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Pregnant patients planning vaginal delivery presenting in labor or for induction of labor
- Age 18 years and older
- Live fetus
- Receive epidural anesthesia
You will not qualify if you...
- Under 18 years old
- Stillbirth
- Baseline overactive bladder symptoms or neurogenic bladder diagnoses
- Use of bladder catheterization during pregnancy
- Received antibiotics during labor (for UTI analysis exclusion)
- Diagnosed bacteriuria with >100,000 CFU/mL of a single bacterial species by clean catch specimen (for UTI analysis exclusion)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Duration of labor with epidural anesthesia
Participants receive bladder catheterization during labor with epidural anesthesia, either intermittent catheterization every four hours or continuous catheterization until pushing.
In-labor catheterization procedures
Duration - Up to one year postpartum
Participants are monitored postpartum for urinary retention, urinary tract infection, patient and nurse satisfaction, and voiding function up to one year.
Visits at 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postpartum
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15217
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Elena Lands, MD
A
Anna Binstock, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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