Table 3.
Characteristics of studies included to date
| Trial acronym Registration number |
BirthCourse | My BirthCourse |
| Planned sample size | 400 first-time mothers | 276 first-time mothers |
| Country/State of recruitment | NSW, Australia (UNDA) | SA, Australia (UniSA) |
| Intervention | Programme includes education on physiology, and five CM techniques: acupressure, massage, yoga, visualisation, breathing techniques. Plus usual care. | Programme includes education on physiology, and five CM techniques: acupressure, massage, yoga, visualisation, breathing techniques. Plus usual care. |
| Comparator | Usual care | Usual care |
| Gestational age at inclusion | 24–36+6 weeks’ gestation | 24–36+6 weeks’ gestation |
| Risk status | Mixed risk | Low and moderate risk |
| Duration of trial | 2 days, or 4 sessions (4 modules, each 2.5 hours) |
2 days, or 4 sessions (4 modules, each 2.5 hours) |
| Duration of follow-up | 6 weeks post partum | 6 weeks post partum |
| Primary outcome | Caesarean section | Epidural analgesia |
| Caesarean section outcome included | Yes | Yes |
| Qualitative study | Included | Not included |
| Funding | NHMRC ECR Fellowship | UniSA grant |
| Registry trial number | ANZCTR 12619000830190 | ANZCTR 12618001353280 |
CM, complementary medicine; NSW, New South Wales.