Clinical Trial Supports Women in Making Birth Choices for Large Babies

A groundbreaking clinical trial conducted by the University of Warwick, in collaboration with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) and the Perinatal Institute, has provided valuable new insights into managing pregnancies involving large babies. Published in The Lancet, the study investigates how different delivery methods can be safely employed to reduce complications associated with big babies, giving women more control over their childbirth options.

Large babies, classified as those weighing more than the 90th percentile for gestational age, are at increased risk for shoulder dystocia—a childbirth complication where the baby’s shoulder becomes lodged under the mother’s pelvic bone. Traditionally, the approach to managing such pregnancies involved monitoring and sometimes opting for cesarean delivery. However, this trial reveals that inducing labor one week to ten days earlier can significantly decrease the risk of shoulder dystocia without elevating the likelihood of maternal injuries or the need for emergency cesarean sections.

The study involved nearly 2,900 women across 106 hospitals in Great Britain, making it the largest trial of its kind. Participants were randomly assigned to either induction of labor at around 38 weeks or to standard care. Results suggested that planned early induction not only reduces delivery complications but also allows women to choose their preferred delivery method, including waiting for natural labor, scheduling a cesarean, or inducing labor to reduce risks.

Women with previous experiences of birth complications, like Nadine Montgomery, welcomed the findings. She expressed satisfaction that women now have evidence-based options to make safer choices. Professor Siobhan Quenby from Warwick Medical School emphasized that the trial empowers women with more control and confidence in their birth plans.

Overall, this research highlights the importance of personalized care and shared decision-making in childbirth. It offers a new perspective on managing large babies, improving safety for both mother and child while respecting women’s birth preferences.

For more details, the full study is available in The Lancet: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00162-X. This research was made possible thanks to the participation of many women and the work of leading experts in obstetrics and perinatal care.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-clinical-trial-empowers-women-big.html