Oral Sodium Bicarbonate for the Prevention of Labour Dystocia

Summary

Sodium bicarbonate is often used by athletes to improve their muscle's ability to contract and power their activity. It works by decreasing the risk of lactic acid build-up, which causes cramping and fatigue. Some research suggests that using sodium bicarbonate in labour could help to improve the ability of the uterus to contract, helping to prevent labour dystocia (stalled or slow progress in labour). This could ultimately increase the chance of spontaneous vaginal delivery. This research is being done to investigate whether drinking sodium bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda) dissolved in water as a hydration drink could benefit women in labour and increase the chance of a vaginal birth. In order to answer this question, pregnant people from London, Markham and Mississauga midwifery practices are being recruited to participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups when they are admitted to hospital in labour. One group will be asked to drink normal fluids of their choice while they are in labour (usual care). The second group will be asked to consume a drink made of baking soda and water, as well as normal fluids of their choice. Mode of birth and the use of birth interventions will be compared between the two groups. Infant outcomes will be compared to ensure that the use this drink in labour is safe. A risk of consuming sodium bicarbonate is gastrointestinal disturbance. The number of people who reported gastrointestinal upset will also be compared between the two groups. If this study shows that those who drank sodium bicarbonate in labour had an increased chance of vaginal birth and that it is safe, this low-cost, low-risk treatment has the potential to reduce birth interventions for pregnant people and their babies.

Conditions

• Labour Dystocia

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

oral sodium bicarbonate

Those in the oral sodium bicarbonate intervention group will be encouraged to sip a solution of 1 imperial teaspoon (\~5g) of sodium bicarbonate dissolved into 250ml of water throughout labour with other drinks. If the first solution is fully consumed, a second solution will be prepared and offered. Thus, each participant can receive a maximum dose of 2 imperial teaspoons (\~10g) of sodium bicarbonate.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Trillium Health Partners

  collaborator OTHER

• London Health Sciences Centre

  collaborator OTHER

• Oak Valley Health

  collaborator OTHER

• Liz Darling

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Liz Darling, PhD · McMaster University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-12-31

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2027-12-31