The MyTime Melatonin Induction Trial

Earlier I shared news of a new trial (MyTime) to investigate if a melatonin supplement can increase rates of spontaneous labor and help moms avoid the significant increase in routine inductions around the world. (Saying no thank you is also an effective way to avoid a routine induction).

Here’s What You Need to Know About the MyTIME Trial

If you’re a first-time mom approaching your due date, you might be exploring options to naturally induce labor. One of the latest studies, the MyTIME Trial, is investigating whether melatonin—a hormone your body naturally produces to regulate sleep—can play a role in helping labor begin. Here’s a breakdown of what this study is all about and what it could mean for you. Another RCT from 2020 showed reduced cesarean rates, shorter labors and less blood loss. Read about the protocols/dosages here.

What’s the MyTIME Trial?

The MyTIME Trial is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study aimed at evaluating the effect of oral melatonin on the rate of labor induction in first-time mothers (nulliparous women) at 39 weeks of pregnancy. The trial is designed to see if taking melatonin can help start labor ‘naturally’, reducing the need for additional medical interventions like Pitocin or other labor-inducing methods. First-time moms aged 16 years and over, with a singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation (head down), without clinical indication for induction, awaiting spontaneous onset of labor, not planning a scheduled birth before 41 weeks unless indicated and able to provide written informed consent to participate in the clinical trial.

The MyTime Research Trial

Melatonin and Labor Induction

How Does the Trial Work?

Participants in the study are given a 3mg oral melatonin tablet. The plan is simple: on the first evening of your 39th week of pregnancy, you’ll take your first dose at 8:00 PM. This timing aligns with the natural increase in your body’s melatonin levels, which typically rise as darkness falls.

You’ll continue taking the melatonin every evening until labor starts on its own or until an alternative birth plan is necessary. The trial will continue for up to three weeks. If labor doesn’t begin naturally within this period, other methods to induce labor will be considered.

For those in the control group, a placebo pill that looks identical to the melatonin tablet is taken under the same conditions.

What’s the Science Behind It?

Melatonin is known for its role in regulating sleep, but it also has potential effects on labor. The hormone may enhance the natural contractions of the uterus by working alongside oxytocin, the hormone responsible for labor contractions. This trial is set to determine if melatonin can effectively and safely encourage the onset of labor.

In addition to the main trial, a small group of women will participate in a sub-study to measure peak melatonin levels after taking the supplement. This will help researchers confirm how well melatonin is absorbed and how it might influence labor onset.

What About Usual Care?

One of the reassuring aspects of the MyTIME Trial is that it doesn’t interfere with moms’ routine antenatal and intrapartum care. Moms continue receiving the same care and monitoring that you would without the trial, so there’s no change to your usual medical support.

The Bottom Line

If you’re considering participating in a trial like MyTIME or thinking about melatonin as a natural way to help induce labor, it’s essential to be informed. While melatonin shows promise, it’s still under investigation, and the results of this study will help clarify its effectiveness.

Always discuss any new treatments or trials with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s the right choice for you and your baby. The MyTIME Trial is an exciting step in exploring natural methods for labor induction, but as with any intervention, understanding the full picture is key to making the best decision for you and your baby.

Tracy