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Trial registered on ANZCTR
Registration number
ACTRN12624001172594
Ethics application status
Approved
Date submitted
30/08/2024
Date registered
25/09/2024
Date last updated
25/09/2024
Date data sharing statement initially provided
25/09/2024
Type of registration
Retrospectively registered
Titles & IDs
Public title
PAUSEMATTERS Study: Exploring the impact of natural pauses in childbirth on the mother's and newborn's health
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Scientific title
Evaluation of the impact of physiological plateaus in childbirth on the mother's and newborn's health in planned homebirths in Western Australia
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Secondary ID [1]
312756
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Grant number: ECU-G1007052
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Universal Trial Number (UTN)
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Trial acronym
PAUSEMATTERS Study
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Linked study record
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Health condition
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied:
Physiological birth
334797
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Condition category
Condition code
Reproductive Health and Childbirth
331357
331357
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0
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Childbirth and postnatal care
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Intervention/exposure
Study type
Observational
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Patient registry
False
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Target follow-up duration
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Target follow-up type
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Description of intervention(s) / exposure
This is a prospective observational cohort study with no intervention. The study applies a co-design approach with ongoing engagement of community members across all study phases.
Women who plan a homebirth with a collaborating midwife in Western Australia are invited to participate in this study on a strictly voluntary basis. Women who chose to participate in this study continue to be cared for by their chosen midwife/midwives with no change in the care that is provided to them (this study involves no intervention).
After the woman gives birth, her midwife completes a questionnaire (approx. 20 minutes online or approx. 30 minutes via interview), providing information about the woman's labour and maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. The questionnaire supplements information that is included in the midwives' routinely taken birth records (NOCA form ["Notification of Case Attendance"] and handwritten birth notes), of which copies are also provided to the research team. This data (NOCA form + birth notes + questionnaire) is shared with the research team by the midwife within two weeks after the woman's birth and contains the following key data items:
1. Labour pattern and key events (such as labour onset, rupture of membranes)
2. Birth outcomes for mother and infant/s (such as birth mode, intrapartum core outcome set)
3. Physiological plateaus (such as occurrence of slowing/pausing/stopping labour patterns, including the timing and duration of these events)
4. Birth environment (such as birth setting, people present)
5. Medical interventions during labour and after birth (such as labour augmentation)
6. Maternal and or fetal/neonatal complications
Subsequently, within 12 weeks following birth, the woman who birthed provides additional information about her birth experience (same data items as above, but from the woman's perspective). Birth partners are also invited to co-participate in this study if the participating woman prefers this. Data collection from the woman who birthed takes place via questionnaire (online, approximately 20 minutes) or interview (face-to-face/online/phone, approximately 30 minutes), based on the woman's preference.
The total duration of participation is from enrolment in this study (at any point in pregnancy >12 weeks gestation) until up to 12 weeks after birth.
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Intervention code [1]
329288
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Not applicable
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Comparator / control treatment
This study has no control group.
Within the cohort, birth outcomes may be compared between women who did experience physiological plateaus during labour and women who did not experience physiological plateaus during labour, subject to sub-group sample sizes.
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Control group
Uncontrolled
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Outcomes
Primary outcome [1]
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Mode of birth assessed using standardised classification of birth modes (spontaneous vaginal birth, instrumental birth via ventouse/forceps, elective/emergency caesarean section)
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Assessment method [1]
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Assessed by data linkage between (a) NOCA form ("Notification of Case Attendance") and (b) birth notes
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Timepoint [1]
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At birth (data collected within 2 weeks postpartum)
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Primary outcome [2]
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Maternal labour and birth complications using standardised classification of labour complications (including but not limited to shoulder dystocia, postpartum haemorrhage, perineal injury)
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Assessment method [2]
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Assessed by data linkage between (a) NOCA form, (b) birth notes, (c) study-specific questionnaire completed by the midwife, and (d) study-specific questionnaire completed by the woman
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Timepoint [2]
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At birth (primary timepoint), up to 6 weeks postpartum for adverse outcomes (data collected within 12 weeks postpartum)
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Primary outcome [3]
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Fetal/neonatal birth complications using standardised classification of fetal/neonatal birth complications (including but not limited to APGAR score, need for resuscitation, admission to neonatal intensive care unit)
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Assessment method [3]
339120
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Assessed by data linkage between (a) NOCA form, (b) birth notes, (c) study-specific questionnaire completed by the midwife, and (d) study-specific questionnaire completed by the woman
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Timepoint [3]
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At birth (primary timepoint), up to 6 weeks postnatally for adverse outcomes (data collected within 12 weeks after postnatally)
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Secondary outcome [1]
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Response to plateaus during labour measured using a question with a list of options (no action initiated, various conservative actions initiated, various medical interventions initiated, transfer to obstetric care initiated in response to a plateau in labour)
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Assessment method [1]
438968
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Assessed by data linkage between (a) study-specific questionnaire completed by the midwife, and (b) study-specific questionnaire completed by the woman
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Timepoint [1]
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During labour (data collected within 2 weeks following birth from the midwife and within 12 weeks following birth for the women)
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Secondary outcome [2]
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Transfer to hospital (for any reason) measured by data-linkage of NOCA form, birth notes, and an open-response question about the reasons for transfer
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Assessment method [2]
438969
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Assessed by data linkage between (a) NOCA form, (b) birth notes, (c) study-specific questionnaire completed by the midwife, and (d) study-specific questionnaire completed by the woman
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Timepoint [2]
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During labour (data collected within 2 weeks following birth from the midwife and within 12 weeks following birth for the women)
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Secondary outcome [3]
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Augmentation of labour (including artificial rupture of membranes and/or oxytocin administration) measured by data-linkage of NOCA form and birth notes
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Assessment method [3]
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Assessed by data linkage between (a) NOCA form and (b) birth notes
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Timepoint [3]
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During labour (data collected within 2 weeks following birth)
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Eligibility
Key inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria for primary participant pool (women who birth and their newborns):
1. women aged greater than or equal to 18 years
2. resident in Western Australia (WA) at the time of data collection
3. pregnant greater than or equal to 12 weeks of gestation (12 weeks and 0 days or longer)
4. birth planned at home, or commenced at home, with the support of a midwife (see note below)
5. consent to participate (voluntary participation)
Note: Women who commence a birth at home with the support of a midwife and transfer to hospital during labour (e.g., due to a change of preferences, or due to emerging risk factors), remain eligible for participation irrespective of the eventual birth setting.
Note: All neonates born to women who participate in this study will be enrolled in this study as participants, and basic neonatal data (e.g. APGAR score) will be collected via the maternal birth record.
Inclusion criteria for secondary participant pool (co-participants, birth partner/s):
1. birth partner, defined as a person who was chosen by the participating woman to provide support during birth (e.g., spouse, family member, friend, doula, etc.)
2. was present during labour and/or birth
3. aged greater than or equal to 18 years
4. consent to participate
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Minimum age
0
Years
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Maximum age
No limit
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Sex
Both males and females
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Can healthy volunteers participate?
No
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Key exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria for primary participant pool (women who birth and their newborns):
1. planned birth at a hospital or birth centre
2. birth without any support of a midwife (see note below)
3. preterm birth (below 37 weeks and 0 days gestation)
Note: Women who have planned a homebirth with the support of a midwife and end up birthing before the midwife arrives (so-called birth before attendance) remain eligible for participation. Women who plan a birth without the support of a midwife (so-called freebirth) are ineligible to participate in this study.
Exclusion criteria for secondary participant pool (co-participants, birth partner/s):
1. the participating woman prefers her birth partner/s not to be involved in this study
2. unavailable during the time of the interview or unable to complete online questionnaire
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Study design
Purpose
Natural history
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Duration
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Selection
Defined population
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Timing
Prospective
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Statistical methods / analysis
Sample size calculation:
The target number of primary participants (women who give birth) is expected to be 73 based on a 10% error margin and an anticipated 265 home births commencing in Western Australia annually, in the study period. This was calculated on the following baseline information: 221 homebirths were recorded in Western Australia for 2023, with similar rates in the two previous years (2021: N=200; 2022: N=237). Since there is a lack of reliable data on how many women commence birth at home and ultimately transfer to the hospital in Western Australia, we considered a pragmatic yet conservative approach of anticipating 20% of transfers, yielding the target population of approximately 265 women. Slovin‘s formula was implemented to determine the sample size of 73 participants. Data will be collected during a 17-month period (Aug 2024 to Dec 2025).
Analysis:
All outcomes and characteristics will be summarised using proper descriptive statistics and graphs aligning with the variable type. Predictors of maternal and neonatal outcomes will be investigated through multivariable regression modelling. The variable type that defines the outcome will determine the proper regression model. Investigating the assumption(s) that revolve around the initially selected regression model will further determine the final model. Missing data will be properly addressed using recent advances in the relevant methodology.
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Recruitment
Recruitment status
Recruiting
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Date of first participant enrolment
Anticipated
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Actual
4/09/2024
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Date of last participant enrolment
Anticipated
22/12/2025
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Actual
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Date of last data collection
Anticipated
31/12/2025
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Actual
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Sample size
Target
73
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Accrual to date
5
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Final
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Recruitment in Australia
Recruitment state(s)
WA
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Funding & Sponsors
Funding source category [1]
317187
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University
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Name [1]
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Edith Cowan University (ECU)
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Address [1]
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Country [1]
317187
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Australia
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Primary sponsor type
University
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Name
Edith Cowan University
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Address
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Country
Australia
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Secondary sponsor category [1]
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Individual
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Name [1]
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Dr Marina Weckend
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Address [1]
319719
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Country [1]
319719
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Australia
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Ethics approval
Ethics application status
Approved
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Ethics committee name [1]
315932
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Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee
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Ethics committee address [1]
315932
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http://www.ecu.edu.au/GPPS/ethics
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Ethics committee country [1]
315932
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Australia
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Date submitted for ethics approval [1]
315932
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05/06/2024
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Approval date [1]
315932
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06/08/2024
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Ethics approval number [1]
315932
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2023-04863-WECKEND
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Summary
Brief summary
The PAUSEMATTERS Study investigates natural pauses during childbirth, so-called physiological plateaus. This study seeks to generate high-quality data on the prevalence (how often), timing (when) and duration (how long) of physiological plateaus in healthy labour, including how such plateaus may affect the mother’s and newborn’s health. This study applies a cohort design, meaning that data is collected in a group of women, during and soon after birth. Participants in this study include women who plan a homebirth in Western Australia with the support of a midwife.
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Trial website
www.childbirthresearch.com
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Trial related presentations / publications
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Public notes
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Contacts
Principal investigator
Name
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Dr Marina Weckend
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Address
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Edith Cowan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup 6027, WA
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Country
136258
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Australia
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Phone
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+61491601852
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Fax
136258
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Email
136258
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[email protected]
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Contact person for public queries
Name
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Marina Weckend
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Address
136259
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Edith Cowan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup 6027, WA
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Country
136259
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Australia
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Phone
136259
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+61491601852
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Fax
136259
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Email
136259
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[email protected]
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Contact person for scientific queries
Name
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Marina Weckend
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Address
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Edith Cowan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup 6027, WA
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Country
136260
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Australia
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Phone
136260
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+61491601852
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Fax
136260
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Email
136260
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[email protected]
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Data sharing statement
Will individual participant data (IPD) for this trial be available (including data dictionaries)?
Yes
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What data in particular will be shared?
Curated, de-identified data will be shared via a suitable data repository (ECU Research Online). Consent for data sharing is optional for participants in this study. Therefore, the publication of data includes only data of participants who consented to data sharing.
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When will data be available (start and end dates)?
Data will be published in a repository following the scientific publication of the main results. No end date applies.
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Available to whom?
Mediated access on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the primary investigator.
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Available for what types of analyses?
Not pre-specified.
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How or where can data be obtained?
Mediated access via Edith Cowan University's institutional repository Research Online: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/
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What supporting documents are/will be available?
No Supporting Document Provided
Results publications and other study-related documents
Documents added manually
No documents have been uploaded by study researchers.
Documents added automatically
No additional documents have been identified.
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