Labor PainDLI-SPNCT07411352
Left Lateral Position vs Supine Position to Reduce Active Labor Duration
A study testing Left Lateral Decubitus Group and Supine Position Group in people with Labor Pain, run by Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras at 1 site in Honduras.
Trial summary
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effect of the left lateral decubitus position versus the supine position on the duration of the active phase of labor in nulliparous women. A total of 188 participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Labor Pain
- What is being tested?
- Left Lateral Decubitus Group and Supine Position Group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 188 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHonduras
- Study dates
- 15 Feb 2026to 30 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Signed and dated informed consent form.
- Nulliparous woman.
- Singleton pregnancy at ≥37 weeks of gestation.
- Intact amniotic membranes.
- Cephalic presentation.
- In the active phase of labor (cervical dilation ≥6 cm).
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- Age ≥18 years.
- No contraindication for vaginal delivery.
- Possession of a mobile phone (for potential follow-up contact).
Who cannot join
- Previous uterine surgery.
- Maternal condition preventing vaginal delivery.
- Fetal anomaly.
- Premature rupture of membranes.
- Multiple pregnancy.
- Fetal demise.
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- Uterine myomas.
- Maternal comorbidities (e.g., chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus type -1/2/gestational, hypothyroidism).
- Anemia.
- Age <18 years.
- Preterm gestation (<37 weeks).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Honduras1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Hospital Escuela
Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán Department, 11101
Ricardo A Gutierrez Ramirez, MD, MSc., 50497546940, ricardo.gutierrez@unah.edu.hn
Adriana P Mendoza Batres, MD
About this study
Official title: Left Lateral Position Versus Supine Position in Reducing the Duration of the Active Phase of Labor: A Randomized, Single-Blind Clinical Trial
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effect of the left lateral decubitus position versus the supine position on the duration of the active phase of labor in nulliparous women. A total of 188 participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will be placed in the left lateral decubitus position, while the control group will remain in the supine position. Both positions will be maintained for 30-minute intervals with 5-minute rest periods, continuing until delivery. The primary outcome is the duration of the active phase of labor. Secondary outcomes include rates of cesarean section, use of oxytocin and analgesics, and maternal and neonatal complications.
Read the detailed description
Globally, maternal positioning during labor is a key component of humanized childbirth. While the World Health Organization recommends allowing women to adopt comfortable positions, the supine position remains prevalent in many clinical settings for practitioner convenience. This study in Honduras seeks to generate local evidence on the impact of maternal position on labor progression. Nulliparous women at term (≥37 weeks) with a singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation and in the active phase of labor (≥6 cm dilation) will be recruited from the labor and delivery unit of the Hospital Materno Infantil. After providing informed consent, participants will be randomized. The primary efficacy endpoint is the time from the onset of the active phase (or intervention start, if later) until delivery. The study hypothesizes that the left lateral position will significantly reduce active labor duration compared to the supine position, potentially reducing unnecessary surgical interventions and improving the childbirth experience.
- Conditions
- Labor Pain
- Being tested
- Left Lateral Decubitus Group, Supine Position Group
- Keywords
- Maternal Position, Left Lateral Position, Active Phase of Labor, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Medical subject headings
- Labor Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Left Lateral Decubitus GroupOther
Participants will be placed in the left lateral decubitus position for periods of 30 minutes, interspersed with 5-minute rest periods. This cycle will continue throughout the active phase of labor until delivery.
Supine Position GroupOther
Participants will remain in the supine position for periods of 30 minutes, interspersed with 5-minute rest periods. This cycle will continue throughout the active phase of labor until delivery.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Left Lateral Decubitus Position | Experimental | Participants will be placed in the left lateral decubitus position for periods of 30 minutes, interspersed with 5-minute rest periods. This cycle will continue throughout the active phase of labor until delivery. Receives: Other: Left Lateral Decubitus Group |
| Supine Position Group | Active comparator | Participants will remain in the supine position for periods of 30 minutes, interspersed with 5-minute rest periods. This cycle will continue throughout the active phase of labor until delivery. Receives: Other: Supine Position Group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Duration of the active phase of labor.
The primary objective is to measure and compare the time taken to progress from the active phase to delivery between the two positioning groups.
Measured: Time (in minutes) from the diagnosis of the active phase of labor (cervical dilation ≥6 cm) to delivery of the newborn. Within the first 24 hours after diagnosis of active phase.
Secondary outcomes (4)
Incidence of Cesarean Delivery
The proportion of participants in each group who undergo a cesarean section.
Measured: From randomization until delivery (anticipated within 48 hours per participant).
Use of Oxytocin for labor augmentation/conduction.
The proportion of participants in each group who receive oxytocin infusion.
Measured: From randomization until delivery.
Incidence of maternal complications (e.g., perineal tears, hemorrhage, hypotension).
Composite of adverse maternal outcomes recorded during labor and the immediate postpartum period.
Measured: From randomization until hospital discharge (approximately 24-48 hours postpartum).
Neonatal status as measured by Apgar score.
The Apgar score (0-10) will be recorded and compared between groups.
Measured: At 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Feb 2026
- Study start15 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Labor PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 1:1 allocation ratio. It employs a superiority framework to test the hypothesis that the left lateral decubitus position is superior to the standard supine position for reducing the duration of the active phase of labor. The design is single-blind, where the outcome assessors and data analysts are masked to group assignment. Due to the physical nature of the intervention (maternal positioning), participants and the healthcare providers implementing the position cannot be blinded. This is a single-center efficacy trial conducted in a real-world hospital labor and delivery setting.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 188 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ricardo A Gutierrez Ramirez, MD, MSc, FACOG, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07411352
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PGO-UNAH-49-1-2026
- Acronym
- DLI-SP
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: The research team acknowledges the importance of data sharing but has not yet established the necessary infrastructure, resources, and legal/ethical agreements required for the secure preparation, anonymization, and controlled sharing of individual participant data (IPD). Decisions regarding future sharing will depend on internal review, compliance with Honduran data protection regulations, and securing appropriate funding and technical support for long-term data stewardship.
Publications
Gupta JK, Hofmeyr GJ, Shehmar M. Position in the second stage of labour for women without epidural anaesthesia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 May 16;(5):CD002006. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002006.pub3.
PubMed 22592681
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Left Lateral Position Versus Supine Position in Reducing the Duration of the Active Phase of Labor: A Randomized, Single-Blind Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07411352
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DLI-SP / PGO-UNAH-49-1-2026
- Conditions
- Labor Pain
- Keywords
- Maternal Position, Left Lateral Position, Active Phase of Labor, Randomized Controlled Trial
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 188 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Nacional Autonoma de HondurasUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effect of the left lateral decubitus position versus the supine position on the duration of the active phase of labor in nulliparous women. A total of 188 participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will be placed in the left lateral decubitus position, while the control group will remain in the supine position. Both positions will be maintained for 30-minute intervals with 5-minute rest periods, continuing until delivery. The primary outcome is the duration of the active phase of labor. Secondary outcomes include rates of cesarean section, use of oxytocin and analgesics, and maternal and neonatal complications.
Detailed description
Globally, maternal positioning during labor is a key component of humanized childbirth. While the World Health Organization recommends allowing women to adopt comfortable positions, the supine position remains prevalent in many clinical settings for practitioner convenience. This study in Honduras seeks to generate local evidence on the impact of maternal position on labor progression. Nulliparous women at term (≥37 weeks) with a singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation and in the active phase of labor (≥6 cm dilation) will be recruited from the labor and delivery unit of the Hospital Materno Infantil. After providing informed consent, participants will be randomized. The primary efficacy endpoint is the time from the onset of the active phase (or intervention start, if later) until delivery. The study hypothesizes that the left lateral position will significantly reduce active labor duration compared to the supine position, potentially reducing unnecessary surgical interventions and improving the childbirth experience.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- This is a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 1:1 allocation ratio. It employs a superiority framework to test the hypothesis that the left lateral decubitus position is superior to the standard supine position for reducing the duration of the active phase of labor. The design is single-blind, where the outcome assessors and data analysts are masked to group assignment. Due to the physical nature of the intervention (maternal positioning), participants and the healthcare providers implementing the position cannot be blinded. This is a single-center efficacy trial conducted in a real-world hospital labor and delivery setting.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Left Lateral Decubitus Position | Experimental | Other: Left Lateral Decubitus GroupParticipants will be placed in the left lateral decubitus position for periods of 30 minutes, interspersed with 5-minute rest periods. This cycle will continue throughout the active phase of labor until delivery. |
| Supine Position Group | Active comparator | Other: Supine Position GroupParticipants will remain in the supine position for periods of 30 minutes, interspersed with 5-minute rest periods. This cycle will continue throughout the active phase of labor until delivery. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Signed and dated informed consent form.
- Nulliparous woman.
- Singleton pregnancy at ≥37 weeks of gestation.
- Intact amniotic membranes.
- Cephalic presentation.
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Previous uterine surgery.
- Maternal condition preventing vaginal delivery.
- Fetal anomaly.
- Premature rupture of membranes.
- Multiple pregnancy.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Left Lateral Decubitus GroupParticipants will be placed in the left lateral decubitus position for periods of 30 minutes, interspersed with 5-minute rest periods. This cycle will continue throughout the active phase of labor until delivery. | Other | Left Lateral Decubitus Position |
| Supine Position GroupParticipants will remain in the supine position for periods of 30 minutes, interspersed with 5-minute rest periods. This cycle will continue throughout the active phase of labor until delivery. | Other | Supine Position Group |
Primary outcome
Duration of the active phase of labor.
Time frame: Time (in minutes) from the diagnosis of the active phase of labor (cervical dilation ≥6 cm) to delivery of the newborn. Within the first 24 hours after diagnosis of active phase.
The primary objective is to measure and compare the time taken to progress from the active phase to delivery between the two positioning groups.
4 secondary outcomes
Incidence of Cesarean Delivery
Time frame: From randomization until delivery (anticipated within 48 hours per participant).
Use of Oxytocin for labor augmentation/conduction.
Time frame: From randomization until delivery.
Incidence of maternal complications (e.g., perineal tears, hemorrhage, hypotension).
Time frame: From randomization until hospital discharge (approximately 24-48 hours postpartum).
Neonatal status as measured by Apgar score.
Time frame: At 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Feb 2026.
- Background: PubMed 22592681Gupta JK, Hofmeyr GJ, Shehmar M. Position in the second stage of labour for women without epidural anaesthesia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 May 16;(5):CD002006. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002006.pub3.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. The research team acknowledges the importance of data sharing but has not yet established the necessary infrastructure, resources, and legal/ethical agreements required for the secure preparation, anonymization, and controlled sharing of individual participant data (IPD). Decisions regarding future sharing will depend on internal review, compliance with Honduran data protection regulations, and securing appropriate funding and technical support for long-term data stewardship.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Left Lateral Decubitus Group and Supine Position Group in people with Labor Pain, run by Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras at 1 site in Honduras.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Honduras. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ricardo A. Gutierrez Ramirez, MD, MSc (+50497546940, ricardo.gutierrez@unah.edu.hn), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Duration of the active phase of labor. (time frame: Time (in minutes) from the diagnosis of the active phase of labor (cervical dilation ≥6 cm) to delivery of the newborn. Within the first 24 hours after diagnosis of active phase.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07411352, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Feb 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 28 Oct 2026.