Postpartum Urinary RetentionNCT07893119
Effect of Voiding Position (Standing in the Shower vs. Sitting) on Post- Void Residual Urine Volume (PVR) After Removal of Urinary Catheter in Women Following Vaginal Delivery With Epidural Analgesia: A Double- Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
A study testing Standing in the shower and Sitting on the toilet in people with Postpartum Urinary Retention, run by Assuta Ashdod Hospital at 1 site in Israel.
Trial summary
Postpartum urinary retention is a common complication after childbirth, with a higher risk for women who undergo vaginal delivery with epidural analgesia. This study aims to determine whether performing the first void after the removal of an indwelling urinary catheter in a standing position in the shower, compared to… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Postpartum Urinary Retention
- What is being tested?
- Standing in the shower and Sitting on the toilet
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIsrael
- Study dates
- 20 Oct 2026to 1 Dec 2029
- 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 years and older
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Inclusion Criteria:Adult women (≥18 years old) Singleton pregnancy at ≥37+0 weeks Vaginal delivery (spontaneous or instrumental) Epidural analgesia during labor Indwelling urinary catheter placed during labor or immediately postpartum, with planned removal according to standard clinical protocol Ability to stand (with or without minimal assistance) and to void in the standing or sitting position as allocated Ability and willingness to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria:Previous known voiding dysfunction or neurogenic bladder Known neurological disease affecting bladder function Major urologic or pelvic reconstructive surgery Obstetric anal sphincter injury grade 3-4 when mobility restrictions or special perineal care preclude standing shower voiding Hemodynamic instability or severe obstetric complications (e.g., severe postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia) precluding mobilization Active urinary tract infection at the time of catheter removal (clinical signs/symptoms or positive urine culture, as per local protocol) Inability or unwillingness to void in the allocated position Refusal or withdrawal of consent
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Israel1 site
ssuta Ashdod Hospital
Ashdod
Elad Preuss, M.D, +972545228700, eladp@ashmc.co.il
About this study
Postpartum urinary retention is a common complication after childbirth, with a higher risk for women who undergo vaginal delivery with epidural analgesia. This study aims to determine whether performing the first void after the removal of an indwelling urinary catheter in a standing position in the shower, compared to sitting on a toilet, helps reduce postpartum urinary retention. The study will include 100 women who had a vaginal delivery with epidural analgesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to either void while standing in the shower (Group A) or sitting on the toilet (Group B). Immediately after this first spontaneous void, the post-void residual urine volume (PVR) will be measured using an ultrasound bladder scan. The study seeks to find out if the standing position facilitates more complete bladder emptying, reduces the need for recatheterization, and decreases perineal pain compared to the sitting position.
Read the detailed description
Postpartum urinary retention (PUR) is a relatively common complication that can manifest as an inability to void (overt) or elevated post-void residual volume despite spontaneous voiding (covert). Risk factors include epidural analgesia, instrumental delivery, episiotomy, and perineal trauma. While studies in healthy non-postpartum populations show that uroflowmetric parameters may differ between voiding positions without affecting post-void residual (PVR) volumes, postpartum women face unique challenges such as perineal pain and soft-tissue edema. This study's hypothesis is that voiding in a standing position in the shower might reduce perineal discomfort and facilitate more complete bladder emptying. This is a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving women who have undergone a vaginal delivery (spontaneous or instrumental) under epidural analgesia, and who had an indwelling urinary catheter placed during labor or immediately postpartum. Just prior to catheter removal, participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated sequence into one of two groups: Group A: Instructed to void in a standing position under running warm water in the shower area. Group B: Instructed to void in a sitting position on the toilet. Participants will be encouraged to void within a maximum of 6 hours following catheter removal. Immediately after the first spontaneous void, the PVR will be measured using an ultrasound bladder scan. The healthcare professional performing and recording the PVR measurement will be blinded to the group allocation. If a participant fails to void within 6 hours, overt PUR is diagnosed and managed according to local guidelines, such as recatheterization. Secondary data collection and follow-up over the first 7 days postpartum will include monitoring for the need for recatheterization, urinary tract infections (UTI), and readmissions to the emergency department due to urinary retention. Patient-reported outcomes will also be assessed, utilizing a numeric rating scale (0-10) to measure perineal pain and pain during micturition
- Conditions
- Postpartum Urinary Retention
- Being tested
- Standing in the shower, Sitting on the toilet
- Keywords
- Postpartum Urinary Retention, Vaginal Delivery, Epidural Analgesia, Post-Void Residual Volume, Urinary Catheter
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Standing in the showerBehavioural
The woman is assisted to the shower area and instructed to void in a standing position under running warm water.
Sitting on the toiletBehavioural
he woman is assisted to the toilet and instructed to void in a sitting position.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A - Standing Position | Experimental | Participants will perform their first void after catheter removal in a standing position in the shower. Receives: Behavioral: Standing in the shower |
| Group B - Sitting Position | Active comparator | Participants will perform their first void after catheter removal in a sitting position on the toilet. Receives: Behavioral: Sitting on the toilet |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Number of participants with Post-Void Residual Volume (PVR) > 150 mL
Post-void residual urine volume (PVR) greater than 150 mL, measured by bladder ultrasound (bladder scan) immediately after the first spontaneous void following catheter removal. This cut-off is consistent with definitions of covert postpartum urinary retention.
Measured: Immediately after the first void (within a maximum of 6 hours following catheter removal)
Secondary outcomes (7)
Mean Post-Void Residual Volume (PVR)
Mean PVR measured in milliliters (mL) as a continuous variable.
Measured: Immediately after the first void (within a maximum of 6 hours following catheter removal)
Incidence of Overt Postpartum Urinary Retention (PUR)
Inability to void within 6 hours after catheter removal.
Measured: Up to 6 hours after catheter removal
Need for Recatheterization
he need for recatheterization (yes/no) and the number of recatheterizations required, evaluating the success rate of the voiding trial.
Measured: Within 24-48 hours postpartum
Time to First Void
Time elapsed from catheter removal to the first spontaneous void, measured in minutes.
Measured: Up to 6 hours after catheter removal
Incidence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Development of a urinary tract infection confirmed by clinical signs/symptoms and/or laboratory tests.
Measured: Within 7 days postpartum
Readmission or Emergency Department Presentation Due to Urinary Retention
Rate of presentation to the emergency department or readmission specifically due to urinary retention.
Measured: Within 7 days postpartum
Patient-Reported Pain During Micturition and Perineal Pain
Pain levels assessed using a numeric rating scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain), focusing on pain during micturition and general perineal pain.
Measured: During the first void after catheter removal (within a maximum of 6 hours)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Oct 2026
- Study start20 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Aug 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Dec 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Postpartum Urinary RetentionStudies 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated sequence to one of two parallel groups just prior to the removal of their indwelling urinary catheter.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Assuta Ashdod Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07893119
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AAA-0180-25
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Data sharing with other researchers is not planned as it was not included in the IRB-approved protocol and informed consent.")
Publications
Ellahi A, Stewart F, Kidd EA, Griffiths R, Fernandez R, Omar MI. Strategies for the removal of short-term indwelling urethral catheters in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jun 29;6(6):CD004011. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004011.pub4.
PubMed 34184246Chou EC, Chang CH, Chen CC, Wu HC, Wu PL, Chen KL. Women urinate in the standing position do not increase post-void residual urine volumes. Neurourol Urodyn. 2010 Sep;29(7):1299-300. doi: 10.1002/nau.20868.
PubMed 20878999Yang KN, Chen SC, Chen SY, Chang CH, Wu HC, Chou EC. Female voiding postures and their effects on micturition. Int Urogynecol J. 2010 Nov;21(11):1371-6. doi: 10.1007/s00192-010-1204-3. Epub 2010 Jul 1.
PubMed 20593163
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Voiding Position (Standing in the Shower vs. Sitting) on Post- Void Residual Urine Volume (PVR) After Removal of Urinary Catheter in Women Following Vaginal Delivery With Epidural Analgesia: A Double- Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07893119
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AAA-0180-25
- Conditions
- Postpartum Urinary Retention
- Keywords
- Postpartum Urinary Retention, Vaginal Delivery, Epidural Analgesia, Post-Void Residual Volume, Urinary Catheter
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Assuta Ashdod HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Oct 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.
Postpartum urinary retention is a common complication after childbirth, with a higher risk for women who undergo vaginal delivery with epidural analgesia. This study aims to determine whether performing the first void after the removal of an indwelling urinary catheter in a standing position in the shower, compared to sitting on a toilet, helps reduce postpartum urinary retention. The study will include 100 women who had a vaginal delivery with epidural analgesia. Participants will be randomly assigned to either void while standing in the shower (Group A) or sitting on the toilet (Group B). Immediately after this first spontaneous void, the post-void residual urine volume (PVR) will be measured using an ultrasound bladder scan. The study seeks to find out if the standing position facilitates more complete bladder emptying, reduces the need for recatheterization, and decreases perineal pain compared to the sitting position.
Detailed description
Postpartum urinary retention (PUR) is a relatively common complication that can manifest as an inability to void (overt) or elevated post-void residual volume despite spontaneous voiding (covert). Risk factors include epidural analgesia, instrumental delivery, episiotomy, and perineal trauma. While studies in healthy non-postpartum populations show that uroflowmetric parameters may differ between voiding positions without affecting post-void residual (PVR) volumes, postpartum women face unique challenges such as perineal pain and soft-tissue edema. This study's hypothesis is that voiding in a standing position in the shower might reduce perineal discomfort and facilitate more complete bladder emptying. This is a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving women who have undergone a vaginal delivery (spontaneous or instrumental) under epidural analgesia, and who had an indwelling urinary catheter placed during labor or immediately postpartum. Just prior to catheter removal, participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated sequence into one of two groups: Group A: Instructed to void in a standing position under running warm water in the shower area. Group B: Instructed to void in a sitting position on the toilet. Participants will be encouraged to void within a maximum of 6 hours following catheter removal. Immediately after the first spontaneous void, the PVR will be measured using an ultrasound bladder scan. The healthcare professional performing and recording the PVR measurement will be blinded to the group allocation. If a participant fails to void within 6 hours, overt PUR is diagnosed and managed according to local guidelines, such as recatheterization. Secondary data collection and follow-up over the first 7 days postpartum will include monitoring for the need for recatheterization, urinary tract infections (UTI), and readmissions to the emergency department due to urinary retention. Patient-reported outcomes will also be assessed, utilizing a numeric rating scale (0-10) to measure perineal pain and pain during micturition
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated sequence to one of two parallel groups just prior to the removal of their indwelling urinary catheter.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A - Standing Position | Experimental | Behavioral: Standing in the showerParticipants will perform their first void after catheter removal in a standing position in the shower. |
| Group B - Sitting Position | Active comparator | Behavioral: Sitting on the toiletParticipants will perform their first void after catheter removal in a sitting position on the toilet. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Inclusion Criteria:Adult women (≥18 years old) Singleton pregnancy at ≥37+0 weeks Vaginal delivery (spontaneous or instrumental) Epidural analgesia during labor Indwelling urinary catheter placed during labor or immediately postpartum, with planned removal according to standard clinical protocol Ability to stand (with or without minimal assistance) and to void in the standing or sitting position as allocated Ability and willingness to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria:Previous known voiding dysfunction or neurogenic bladder Known neurological disease affecting bladder function Major urologic or pelvic reconstructive surgery Obstetric anal sphincter injury grade 3-4 when mobility restrictions or special perineal care preclude standing shower voiding Hemodynamic instability or severe obstetric complications (e.g., severe postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia) precluding mobilization Active urinary tract infection at the time of catheter removal (clinical signs/symptoms or positive urine culture, as per local protocol) Inability or unwillingness to void in the allocated position Refusal or withdrawal of consent
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Standing in the showerThe woman is assisted to the shower area and instructed to void in a standing position under running warm water. | Behavioural | Group A - Standing Position |
| Sitting on the toilethe woman is assisted to the toilet and instructed to void in a sitting position. | Behavioural | Group B - Sitting Position |
Primary outcome
Number of participants with Post-Void Residual Volume (PVR) > 150 mL
Time frame: Immediately after the first void (within a maximum of 6 hours following catheter removal)
Post-void residual urine volume (PVR) greater than 150 mL, measured by bladder ultrasound (bladder scan) immediately after the first spontaneous void following catheter removal. This cut-off is consistent with definitions of covert postpartum urinary retention.
7 secondary outcomes
Mean Post-Void Residual Volume (PVR)
Time frame: Immediately after the first void (within a maximum of 6 hours following catheter removal)
Incidence of Overt Postpartum Urinary Retention (PUR)
Time frame: Up to 6 hours after catheter removal
Need for Recatheterization
Time frame: Within 24-48 hours postpartum
Time to First Void
Time frame: Up to 6 hours after catheter removal
Incidence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Time frame: Within 7 days postpartum
Readmission or Emergency Department Presentation Due to Urinary Retention
Time frame: Within 7 days postpartum
Patient-Reported Pain During Micturition and Perineal Pain
Time frame: During the first void after catheter removal (within a maximum of 6 hours)
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 23 Oct 2026.
- Background: PubMed 34184246Ellahi A, Stewart F, Kidd EA, Griffiths R, Fernandez R, Omar MI. Strategies for the removal of short-term indwelling urethral catheters in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jun 29;6(6):CD004011. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004011.pub4.
- Background: PubMed 20878999Chou EC, Chang CH, Chen CC, Wu HC, Wu PL, Chen KL. Women urinate in the standing position do not increase post-void residual urine volumes. Neurourol Urodyn. 2010 Sep;29(7):1299-300. doi: 10.1002/nau.20868.
- Background: PubMed 20593163Yang KN, Chen SC, Chen SY, Chang CH, Wu HC, Chou EC. Female voiding postures and their effects on micturition. Int Urogynecol J. 2010 Nov;21(11):1371-6. doi: 10.1007/s00192-010-1204-3. Epub 2010 Jul 1.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Data sharing with other researchers is not planned as it was not included in the IRB-approved protocol and informed consent.")
Related trials for Postpartum Urinary Retention
Active, not recruiting
How the Method of Bladder Emptying After Epidural Placement in Labor Affects Postpartum Voiding
Urinary Retention, Urinary Tract Infection (Diagnosis)
Recruiting
Evaluation of the Absence of Intraoperative Bladder Catheterization in Case of Planned Cesarean Section
Pregnant Women, Cesarean Section
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 Standing in the shower and Sitting on the toilet in people with Postpartum Urinary Retention, run by Assuta Ashdod Hospital at 1 site in Israel.
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 1 inclusion and 0 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Oct 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 Israel. 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 Elad Preuss, M.D (+972545228700, eladp@ashmc.co.il), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Number of participants with Post-Void Residual Volume (PVR) > 150 mL (time frame: Immediately after the first void (within a maximum of 6 hours following catheter removal)). 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 NCT07893119, which also lists 3 linked publications.
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 23 Oct 2026.