Eye-masks and Earplugs Compared to Headband in Nulliparas on Increasing Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery: a Randomized Trial

A majority of pregnant women experience sleep disruption during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. Lack of sleep is associated with preterm birth, prolonged labor and higher cesarean section rate. Six or less hours of night sleep in the last month of pregnancy is associated with a higher rate of caesarean births. Eye-masks and earplugs compared to headband improve night sleep by 30 or more minutes. We sought to evaluate eye-mask and earplugs compared to sham/placebo headbands on spontaneous vaginal delivery. This randomized trial was conducted from December 2019-June 2020. 234 nulliparas, 34–36 weeks’ gestation with self-reported night sleep < 6 h were randomized to eye-mask and earplugs or sham/placebo headband (both characterized as sleep aids) to be worn each night to delivery. After two weeks, interim outcome data of the average night sleep duration and the trial sleep related questionnaire was answered through the telephone. Spontaneous vaginal delivery rates were 60/117(51.3 Trial registration This trial was registered with ISRCTN on June 11, 2019 with trial identification number: ISRCTN99834087 .