Spinal anesthesia is commonly used for cesarean section and provides effective anesthesia with rapid onset. However, the spread of spinal anesthesia may vary among pregnant women due to physiological and anatomical changes during pregnancy. Increased intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal circumference may influence cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and affect the level of sensory block achieved after spinal anesthesia.
This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure, abdominal circumference, and the maximum sensory block level following spinal anesthesia in pregnant women undergoing cesarean section. Intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal circumference will be measured before surgery, and sensory block levels and hemodynamic parameters will be assessed after spinal anesthesia. The findings of this study may help to better understand factors affecting spinal block spread in pregnant patients.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Pregnant women aged 18-40 years
* Scheduled for elective cesarean section at Kütahya City Hospital
* Planned spinal anesthesia
* ASA physical status II-III
* Provided written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Refusal to participate in the study
* Emergency cesarean section
* Preeclampsia or other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
* Onset of labor or premature rupture of membranes
* Clinical conditions affecting intra-abdominal pressure, including peripheral edema or ascites
* Height \<140 cm or \>180 cm
* Body mass index \< 40 kg/m²
* Spinal deformity or history of spinal surgery
* Contraindications to neuraxial anesthesia
* Known allergy to bupivacaine
* Requirement for additional surgical procedures other than cesarean section
* Conditions contraindicating or interfering with intra-abdominal pressure measurement, including active or previous postdural puncture headache, neurogenic bladder, hematuria, or incidental abdominal mass
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Maximum sensory block level after spinal anesthesia
Timeframe: Within the first 30 minutes after spinal anesthesia