Clinical Research Directory

Antibiotic Prophylaxis to Prevent Obesity-Related Induction Complications in Nulliparae at Term 2.0

Obesity increases the risk of pregnancy complications, including puerperal infections and cesarean delivery, and risk rises with increasing body mass index (BMI). Since obese women are more likely to have comorbidities that would necessitate delivery prior to their due date (i.e. prior to 40 weeks gestation), and class III obesity specifically is an indication for delivery by 39 weeks, these patients have a high rate of labor induction. In nulliparous women from the general population (obese and non-obese), labor induction at 39 weeks (compared to expectant management) is associated with less maternal morbidity and a lower cesarean rate. Researchers previously conducted a pilot randomized placebo-controlled trial in obese, nulliparous women undergoing labor induction at term and found that the cesarean delivery rate was lower in women who received a prophylactic antibiotic regimen during labor compared with those who received the placebo. Researchers proposed multi-center trial aims to test this hypothesis in a large sample with adequate power to determine whether prophylactic antibiotics during labor are associated with a decrease in the rate of cesarean delivery in term, nulliparous, obese women. If the findings from the pilot trial are confirmed, this would represent a novel intervention to decrease the cesarean delivery rate in a subset of women at highest risk for cesarean-related complications.

Best Start - Weight Management During Pregnancy

The investigators know that being overweight during pregnancy increases the health risks to both mum and baby. There is good evidence that diet or exercise, or both, during pregnancy can reduce excessive weight gain. The Best Start study aims to test the theory that obese pregnant women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or over who participate in a structured programme of nutrition and lifestyle advice (Foodwise in Pregnancy ™) will achieve the recommended weight gain during pregnancy of no less than 5kg and no more than 9.1kg. The investigators would like to find out if pregnant women with a BMI of 30 or over who receive the Best Start intervention are more likely to effectively manage weight gain during pregnancy. To achieve this, the investigators will undertake a trial that randomly puts participants into an experimental group, or a control group, which will compare those who receive the intervention to those who continue with routine antenatal care. The investigators are aiming to recruit around 500 women during the study period. 250 will receive the Best Start intervention, and 250 will continue with routine antenatal care. The investigators would also like to find out if women who gain the recommended weight during pregnancy have better outcomes, compared to women who gain more or less weight. To do this the investigators will look at the routine information collected during antenatal and postnatal care, for both mum and baby. To do this regardless of the group clients are randomised to, the investigators will ask for permission to look at the routine information within the participants maternity record. This information includes, weight gained during pregnancy, whether the baby is born early, the type of labour and delivery, and any complications during the pregnancy or delivery that may have resulted in the need for additional care for mum or baby. The results of the study will be prepared for publication in scientific journals, and for presentation at scientific conferences. All participants will be able to obtain a copy of the results once they have been published and any information that could identify participants will be removed.