Table 2.
Childbirth characteristics (modified intention-to-treat population)
| Childbirth characteristics | Lateral episiotomy (n=344) | No episiotomy (n=358) |
|---|---|---|
| Gestational age at randomisation: | ||
| Days, median (range) | 283 (249-296) | 284 (250-296) |
| ≥40 weeks | 226 (66) | 247 (69) |
| Mode of onset: | ||
| Induction | 133 (39) | 154 (43) |
| Spontaneous | 211 (61) | 204 (57) |
| Epidural anaesthesia | 312 (91) | 324 (91) |
| Oxytocin augmentation | 334 (97) | 346 (97) |
| Second stage duration: | ||
| hh:min, median (range) | 3:41 (00:06-10:07) | 3:39 (00:06-08:46) |
| Indication for vacuum extraction*: | ||
| Fetal distress | 156 (45) | 169 (47) |
| Labour dystocia/no progression | 174 (51) | 164 (46) |
| Maternal exhaustion | 68 (20) | 77 (22) |
| Correction of fetal position | 3 (1) | 3 (1) |
| Other | 0 | 4 (1) |
| Fetal station: | ||
| At ischial spines | 7 (2) | 8 (2) |
| Below ischial spines | 89 (26) | 86 (24) |
| Above pelvic floor | 177 (52) | 199 (56) |
| At pelvic floor | 71 (21) | 65 (18) |
| Fetal position: | ||
| Occiput anterior | 288 (84) | 307 (86) |
| Occiput posterior | 28 (8) | 31 (9) |
| Other | 8 (2) | 6 (2) |
| Missing | 8 (2) | 6 (2) |
| Operator skills: | ||
| Resident | 133 (39) | 154 (43) |
| Specialist Gynaecologist | 69 (20) | 66 (18) |
| Specialist Obstetrician | 142 (41) | 138 (39) |
| No of pulls: | ||
| <6 | 316 (92) | 327 (91) |
| ≥6 | 27 (8) | 31 (9) |
| Missing | 1 (<1) | 0 |
| Vacuum cup detachment, any | 37 (11) | 30 (8) |
| Conversion to caesarean section | 22 (6) | 5 (1) |
| Birthweight (g): | ||
| Median (range) | 3565 (2260-5025) | 3580 (2438-4850) |
| Mean (SD) | 3573 (461) | 3591 (454) |
| ≥4000 | 60 (17) | 59 (17) |
| Head circumference (cm): | ||
| Median (range) | 36 (31-40) | 35 (31-44) |
| Mean (SD) | 35.4 (2.2) | 35.5 (1.6) |
| ≥38 | 4 (1) | 9 (3) |
Data are number (percentage), unless otherwise specified.
*
More than one indication optional.