Effect of fetal sex/maternal ethnicity on labour induction/onset

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  How does the male gender of the fetus and the ethnicity of the mother affect the gestational age of spontaneous onset term-deliveries and the success rate of inductions of labour (done for all indications)

• IRAS ID

  141553

• Contact name

  Dimitrios Papoutsis

• Sponsor organisation

  The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

• Research summary

  Background:
  There is evidence that when there is a male fetus, then it is highly possible that the induction of labour (IOL) will fail. Moreover, male fetuses have different molecular pathways in triggering of labour, and thus it is contemplated whether male fetuses are (spontaneously) delivered earlier. Ethnicity of mother has been linked to preterm labour and there is few evidence if it affects labour inductions.
  Objectives: To investigate the effects of fetal gender and maternal ethnicity on:
  1) the gestational age of spontaneous onset term-deliveries
  2) the success rate of inductions of labour (done for all indications)
  Design: Retrospective collection of data from Medway® obstetric database.
  Population: Women having delivered at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust since 2007. Over 2007-2013 (7 years), we expect to have a sample of 18000 spontaneous term deliveries and 9000 IOL’s.
  Data collection: The following will be recorded:
  Maternal data: age, parity/gravidity, smoking, ethnicity, BMI.
  Delivery data: gestational age, mode of delivery (vaginal, CS, instrumental delivery) duration of 1st/2nd stage, meconium stained liquor, use of syntocinon, use of epidural.
  Neonatal data: fetal gender, birthweight, head circumference, Apgars (1 and 5 minutes), cord blood gases pH (arterial/venous), NNU admissions.
  Methods:
  Dara will be collected from Medway obstetric database by the data analysis department. Data will be anonymised by removal of patient’s name/unit number. Date of birth shall remain for statistical analysis.
  Implications for clinical practice:
  We expect to contribute as an NHS Trust to the growing body of evidence that fetal gender/maternal ethnicity play a role in the IOL success and also in the gestational age of spontaneous onset term-deliveries. If this is finally proven, then these two variables will be taken in serious consideration as main predictors of success in an IOL and in the spontaneous onset of a term-delivery.

• REC name

  West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/WM/0493

• Date of REC Opinion

  15 Jan 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion