NCT07411352

Left Lateral Position vs Supine Position to Reduce Active Labor Duration

Left Lateral Position Versus Supine Position in Reducing the Duration of the Active Phase of Labor: A Randomized, Single-Blind Clinical Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 188 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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. 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.

Conditions

• Labor Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Left Lateral Decubitus Group	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.
OTHER	Supine Position Group	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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-15
• Primary completion: 2026-08-31
• Completion: 2026-09-30
• First posted: 2026-02-13
• Last updated: 2026-02-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Honduras