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NCT Number: NCT06641141

The Feasibility Of Expectant Management Versus Induction At 38 Weeks Among Individuals With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial (EAGER Pilot Trial)

The EAGER pilot trial is designed to assess the feasibility of a Canadian, multicentre prospective randomized open-label blinded end-point (PROBE) clinical trial addressing whether induction of labour (IOL) at 38 weeks' gestation compared to expectant management (EM) reduces severe perinatal mortality and morbidity among individuals with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Eligible participants will be consented between 32 weeks + 0 days and 38 weeks + 0 days gestation and randomized between 36 weeks + 0 days and 38 weeks + 0 days gestation. Participants will be randomized to one of two arms:

* Intervention Arm: IOL between 38 weeks + 0 days and 38 weeks + 6 days OR * Control Arm: EM without intervention until spontaneous labour, or earlier if a medical indication arises.

A total of 260 participants (130 per group) will be recruited from Canadian sites, where participants will have 3 study visits:

1. Enrollment and randomization 2. After delivery and up to 72 hours postpartum 3. 6 weeks postpartum At enrollment and randomization, patient-reported baseline and clinical data from medical charts will be collected. Upon admission to hospital for labour and delivery, a blood sample may be collected to assess HbA1C and plasma glucose levels. After delivery and up to 72 hours postpartum, study feasibility will be assessed through patient-reported outcomes and administrative and clinical data. At 6 weeks postpartum, participants will be surveyed for secondary health resource use. Findings from this pilot will inform the design, implementation and feasibility of a future full-scale randomized controlled trial.

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Key information

Conditions

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes, Gestational Endocrine System Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Pregnancy Complications Urogenital Diseases

Age range

16 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Ottawa Hospital

Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L6, Canada

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Darine El-Chaar

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ruth Rennicks White

CONTACT

[email protected]

613-737-8899 ext. 78663

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of GDM after 24 weeks of gestation, based on documented 1-step or 2-step screening and diagnostic tests for GDM.
  • Singleton fetus at randomization.
  • Confirmed live fetus within 24 hours prior to randomization.
  • Gestational age between 36 weeks + 0 days and 38 weeks + 0 days inclusive based on an ultrasound in the first or second trimester [≤ 23 weeks + 0 days]. For pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization, dating will be based on the embryo age at transfer.
  • Cephalic presentation.
  • Planning to deliver at a participating site.
  • Aged 16 years or older.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus.
  • Any obstetrical/maternal indication for immediate delivery including placenta abruption, abnormal fetal well-being either by non-stress test or biophysical profile, history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) on low molecular weight heparin, pre-existing hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, or Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome at the time of randomization.
  • Contraindication to labour and/or vaginal delivery.
  • Signs of labour (regular uterine contractions accompanied by cervical dilation and/or effacement) at the time of randomization.
  • Significant vaginal bleeding or ruptured membranes at the time of randomization.
  • Prior Cesarean delivery.
  • Placenta previa, placenta accreta, or vasa previa.
  • Cerclage in current pregnancy.
  • Known major fetal anomaly (e.g., gastroschisis, congenital heart defects).
  • Known oligohydramnios (AFI < 5 or MVP < 2 or no 2 by 2 pocket).
  • Known fetal growth restriction (EFW < 3rd percentile).
  • Refusal of blood products.
  • Use of unregulated substances.

Treatment and study plan

induction of labour

Procedure

Induction of Labour (IOL) will occur between 38+0 weeks and 38+6 weeks. All participating sites will follow an evidence-based approach for IOL, which may include any of the following: use of prostaglandins, oxytocin, amniotomy, or intracervical balloon catheters with and without extra-amniotic saline infusion for the intervention arm. Participants who are induced in either the intervention or control arms will be managed by their delivery care provider to ensure sufficient time to labour and determine when to proceed to Cesarean delivery. What constitutes a "failed" IOL will be dictated by local clinical practice guidelines and will be informed by the time since IOL (24-48 hours) and/or physician diagnosis of labour dystocia.

Other names: IOL, Induction

Primary outcomes

  1. Participant Recruitment Rate

    Time frame: Within 24 months of randomizing the first participant

    The pilot trial will be considered feasible if least 75% of the target sample can be recruited after 24 months of recruitment. The number of screened, approached, consented and randomized individuals will be recorded to assess feasibility. Recruitment rate will be measured by the proportion of eligible participants enrolled (consented and randomized) into the study.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Appropriateness of eligibility criteria

    Time frame: Within 24 months of randomizing the first participant

    The appropriateness of the eligibility criteria will be assessed. This will be measured as the proportion of screened participants who are excluded overall and per exclusion criterion. It will be reported as numbers (n) and percentages (%).

  2. Participant retention

    Time frame: Within 24 months of randomizing the first participant

    Participant retention will be assessed. This will be measured as the rate of loss to follow-up or withdrawal of consent from randomized participants. It will be reported as numbers (n) and percentages (%).

  3. Non-compliance

    Time frame: Within 24 months of randomizing the first participant

    Participant and healthcare provider non-compliance will be assessed. This will be measured as the proportion of participants who receive off-protocol delivery management, including late IOL. It will be reported as numbers (n) and percentages (%).

  4. Participant satisfaction

    Time frame: Within 24 months of randomizing the first participant

    Participant satisfaction with participating in this study will be assessed. This will be assessed via established surveys: The Labour Agentry Scale, the Study Participant Feedback Questionnaire and the Decisional Regret Scale.

  5. Suitability of maternal and neonatal clinical endpoints.

    Time frame: Within 24 months of randomizing the first participant

    Suitability of maternal and neonatal clinical endpoints for an eventual full-scale trial will be assessed. This will be assessed based on expert consultation (clinical experts and individuals with lived experience) and will account for the rate of occurrence of severe maternal and neonatal outcomes, and quality and completeness of collected data.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Malia Murphy, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

613-737-8899

Serine Ramlawi, MSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

613-737-8899 ext. 73840

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Feasibility Of Expectant Management Versus Induction At 38 Weeks Among Individuals With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Acronym: EAGER Pilot

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2028
First posted
Oct 15, 2024
Registry last updated
Nov 18, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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