Speculum versus digital insertion of Foley catheter for induction of labor in Nulliparas with unripe cervix: a randomized controlled trial

Table 1 Characteristics of nulliparas with unripe cervixes after randomization to speculum or digital insertion of the Foley catheter for labor induction

	Speculum insertion (n = 44)	Digital insertion (n = 42)
Age (years)	29.3 ± 4.3	29.1 ± 3.8
Occupation
Employed	41 (93)	36 (86)
Others^a	3 (7)	6 (14)
Gestational age (weeks)	38.4 ± 1.1	38.8 ± 1.3
Height (m)	156.4 ± 5.2	157.6 ± 6.2
Body mass index (BMI)	29.8 ± 6.1	30.0 ± 6.4
Ethnicity
Malay	24 (55)	23 (55)
Chinese	7 (16)	7 (17)
Indian	9 (21)	7 (17)
Other	4 (9)	5 (12)
Indications for labor induction
Non-reassuring fetal status^b	21 (48)	24 (57)
Diabetes in pregnancy	11 (25)	12 (29)
Miscellaneous^c	12 (27)	6 (14)
Bishop score	2 [1.25–4]	3 [2–4]
Questionnaire response to preference of insertion prior to randomisation
Prefers digital	6 (14)	5 (12)
Prefers speculum	4 (9)	3 (7)
No preference	34 (77)	34 (81)

Data represented as mean ± standard deviation, number (%) and median [interquartile range]
^aOther are homemakers and students (there was no person seeking paid employment). Speculum insertion homemakers n = 1, students n = 2 while digital insertion homemakers n = 6
^bNon reassuring fetal status includes suspected fetal growth restriction, small for gestational age, reported reduced fetal movement, oligohydramnios, non-reassuring fetal Doppler profiles
^cMiscellaneous includes large for gestation/macrosomia, pregnancy induced hypertension/ preeclampsia, prolonged pregnancy, systemic lupus erythematosus, heart disease and prolonged latent phase

ISSN: 1471-2393