NCT07428317

Use of Lubricant Gel to Shorten the Second Stage of Labor During Vaginal Delivery

Use of Lubricant Gel to Shorten the Second Stage of Labor During Vaginal Delivery: A Randomized Single-Blind Clinical Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 160 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years – 49 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This experimental study aims to evaluate whether the application of obstetric lubricant gel during vaginal delivery can significantly reduce the duration of the second stage of labor, preserve perineal integrity, and decrease the need for episiotomies. The study hypothesis is that lubricant gel facilitates fetal passage through the birth canal by reducing friction, shortening the expulsion phase and reducing maternal-neonatal complications. Two groups will be included: with and without gel application. Follow-up will span from admission of the pregnant woman until immediate postpartum discharge.

Detailed description

This is a single-blind, randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial comparing obstetric lubricant gel application versus standard care during the second stage of labor. The intervention consists of a single 50 mL application of water-based, sterile lubricant gel (e.g., Gynotal®, Dianatal®, or equivalent) into the vaginal canal (anterior and posterior walls) at the onset of the second stage of labor (complete cervical dilation with confirmed cephalic presentation). The control group receives standard obstetric care without lubrication. The primary outcome is duration of the second stage of labor in minutes. Secondary outcomes include perineal integrity (tears, episiotomy), maternal complications (infections, adverse reactions), neonatal Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and need for instrumental delivery. The study will be conducted at Hospital Materno Infantil, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with a target enrollment of 160 participants (80 per group). Randomization will be performed using simple block allocation. Statistical analysis will include ANCOVA for the primary outcome, logistic regression for binary secondary outcomes, and appropriate non-parametric tests if assumptions are violated. A Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) will oversee safety every 6 months or after every 20 inclusions.

Conditions

• Prolonged Second Stage of Labor

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Obstetric Lubricant Gel	A single 50 mL dose of sterile, water-soluble, biocompatible lubricant gel applied intravaginally at the onset of the second stage of labor. The gel is applied to the anterior and posterior vaginal walls using sterile technique to reduce friction during fetal descent and expulsion. The product is used according to its approved indications; no modification has been made for this study. Application is performed by trained medical personnel. In case of local adverse reaction (burning, irritation), application will be discontinued and appropriate clinical management provided.
OTHER	Standard Active Management of Second Stage	Standard, evidence-based active management of the second stage of labor according to institutional protocol, without the addition of lubricant gel. This includes continuous maternal-fetal monitoring, supportive care, encouragement of spontaneous pushing, and delivery assistance as per routine practice. All aspects of care are identical to the intervention group except for the application of lubricant gel. This represents the current standard of care against which the experimental intervention is compared.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-16
• Primary completion: 2026-08-31
• Completion: 2026-09-30
• First posted: 2026-02-23
• Last updated: 2026-02-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Honduras