Participant characteristics
RECRUITMENT
Out of 290 participants recruited, 280 participants were randomized into intervention or standard care groups. Nineteen women (2 from intervention group and 17 from the standard care group) were excluded from the study because they had elective caesarean deliveries and non-reassuring NST. Ultimately, 261 participants were enrolled with 138 in intervention group and 123 in standard care groups as shown in CONSORT flow diagram (Figure 1). The mean age was 26.51 (SD 2.88) years. The majority (92%) were married for 1-3 years. Most (66%) belonged to a joint family. Two-thirds (64%) were homemakers. The mean period of gestation at the time of recruitment for the study was 36.76 (SD 0.83) weeks. Since no significant differences were found, the groups were homogenous concerning demographic characteristics at the time of recruitment to the study (
