A fairly large US randomised trial compared walking in the first stage of labour (n = 536) with
no walking (usual care) (n = 531).87 [EL = 1+] Women in spontaneous labour following uncomplicated
pregnancies were randomised once labour had been established (cervical dilatation of
3–5 cm). Neither group underwent continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) unless a fetal
heart rate abnormality was detected using intermittent monitoring, epidural anaesthesia was
requested or oxytocin augmentation was required