A trial of the induction of labour at 39 weeks or beyond in women who have never given birth before and have a short cervical length on ultrasound scan

Induction of labour at 39 weeks or beyond in nulliparous women with a sonographically favourable cervix: a randomised control trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN97113005

Enrollment

179

Registered

2021-10-06

Start date

2017-05-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-01-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Induction of labour at 39 weeks gestation Pregnancy and Childbirth

Interventions

Cervical length will be measured three times, and the shortest cervical length will be taken. Cervical length < 27 mm will be considered a short cervix. Women with a “sonographic short cervix” will th

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Female

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 18 years and above 2. Gestational age of 38 weeks to 39 weeks 6 days at enrolment 3. No other intervention currently required or anticipated 4. No medical contraindication to induction of labour. 5. Sonographically favourable cervix (cervical length less than 27 mm by vaginal scan) 6. Nulliparous 7. Singleton with live fetus 8. Cephalic presentation 9. Written informed consent 10. Willingness to participate in the trial

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Women with a known lethal fetal congenital abnormality 2. Previous uterine surgery or uterine injury 3. Indication for early or urgent delivery 4. Contraindication for vaginal delivery 5. Medical complications during pregnancy 6. Women who book late for antenatal care and have no dating scan performed before 22 weeks to provide an accurate expected delivery date

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Maternal satisfaction measured using a numerical rating scale after delivery 2. Delivery duration measured using measured using patient records at a single time point	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Mode of delivery measured using patient records at a single time point 2. Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (yes/no) measured using patient records at a single time point	—

Countries

Malaysia

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026