Comparison 2. Restrictive versus routine (primiparae).

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Number of episiotomies	8	3364	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.41 [0.38, 0.44]
1.1 Midline	2	801	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.43 [0.37, 0.48]
1.2 Mediolateral	6	2563	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.40 [0.37, 0.44]
2 Severe vaginal/perineal trauma	5	2541	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.82 [0.60, 1.12]
2.1 Midline	2	801	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.79 [0.56, 1.11]
2.2 Mediolateral	3	1740	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.96 [0.45, 2.07]
3 Severe perineal trauma	7	2944	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.68 [0.49, 0.94]
3.1 Midline	2	801	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.75 [0.52, 1.08]
3.2 Mediolateral	5	2143	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.53 [0.28, 1.01]
4 Any posterior trauma	4	1157	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.82, 0.91]
4.1 Midline	1	356	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.99 [0.93, 1.05]
4.2 Mediolateral	3	801	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.80 [0.75, 0.87]
5 Any anterior trauma	5	1530	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.52 [1.24, 1.86]
5.1 Midline	2	801	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.26 [1.51, 3.38]
5.2 Mediolateral	3	729	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.27 [1.00, 1.60]
6 Need for suturing perineal trauma	5	2441	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.73 [0.70, 0.76]
6.2 Mediolateral	5	2441	Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.73 [0.70, 0.76]