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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.
Dr
C.Mark
Harper
mark.harper@doctors.org.uk
Dr
C.Mark
Harper
mark.harper@doctors.org.uk
Complications of labour and delivery
This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.
This study intends to identify the number of patients who become cold during or soon after emergency (meaning unplanned) caesarean section – a surgical operation to deliver a baby when the normal vaginal route of delivery is not considered appropriate.
Becoming cold (hypothermic; body temperature below 36 ⁰C) is a cause of problems and patient discomfort after a surgical operation. These problems include increased bleeding, delayed wound healing, increased wound infections, pressure sores and longer hospital stays. Immediate discomfort after an operation can be due to increased pain and shivering which prolong time in the ward where mothers are monitored after having an anaesthetic. Patients tell us that their time in the recovery area can be very stressful.
For mothers (and their babies) who have had a caesarean section it is important to have the opportunity to start breastfeeding as soon as possible, but being cold and uncomfortable may delay this. For most types of surgery, we try to prevent patients becoming cold and so reduce potential problems. However this is not generally the case with women undergoing caesarean section. Blankets are available through which hot air is blown to keep patients warm during an operation but we feel they are inappropriate as they can be uncomfortable for mothers giving birth by caesarean section and they can make it difficult for a mother to have close skin-to-skin contact with her new baby immediately after delivery - an important part in the bonding process.
In our study, we aim to identify how many women undergoing emergency caesarean section become hypothermic and how comfortable women are (in terms of being warm) during their operation. We want to find out if this is a major problem and if so, whether further work is needed to improve the comfort of new mothers and their babies.
Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.
The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:
Observational type: Cohort study;
You can take part if:
You may not be able to take part if:
Exclusion criteria will be those who refuse at any time, who are unable to fully understand the trial, under 16 years age at the time of attending for planned Caesarean section, category 3 and 4 (non emergency) caesarean sections. Those that are unable to understand for language issues are excluded with regret due to the difficulties of obtaining interpreters at the time of caesarean section, in recovery, on the ward and once at home for the telephone interview. Waiting for additional interpretation may delay the clinical management of the patient and also the patient may not be able to convey questions or concerns about the study through mail, email or telephone. Patients under 16 years of age will be excluded from the trial for reasons of consent. Although a patient less than 16 years of age may have Gillick competence and therefore have the capacity to consent to take part in this trial, as a minor their parents may have concerns leading them to refuse trial entry. Child birth in minors can be very stressful for the patient, family, and clinical team and we are keen not to add to this for the purposes of a study.
Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.
The study is sponsored by BRIGHTON AND SUSSEX UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST and funded by Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association (OAA) .
Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.
Read full details
for Trial ID: CPMS 33403
You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.
