Comparison 1. Assessment vs direct admission in early labour.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Length of labour (hours)	1	209	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐5.20 [‐7.06, ‐3.34]
2 Rate of caesarean section	1	209	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.72 [0.30, 1.72]
3 Rate of instrumental vaginal birth	1	209	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.58, 1.26]
4 Baby born before arrival at hospital or unplanned home birth	1	209	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
5 Augmentation of labour	1	209	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.57 [0.37, 0.86]
6 Use of epidural or any regional anaesthesia	1	209	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.87 [0.78, 0.98]
7 Maternal satisfaction (score)	1	201	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	16.0 [7.53, 24.47]
8 Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes	1	209	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.97 [0.12, 72.12]