Comparison 2. Intracervical PGE₂ versus placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Additional induction agent required (induction with oxytocin or other means)	3	445	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.98 [0.74, 1.32]
2 Additional induction agents required (further prostaglandin required)	1	90	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.61 [0.22, 1.67]
3 Uterine rupture	1	294	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Birth not achieved in 48 to 72 hours	1	43	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.83 [0.68, 1.02]
5 Oxytocin augmentation	1	84	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.67 [0.40, 1.12]
6 Uterine hyperstimulation (with FHR changes)	4	488	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.66 [0.63, 11.25]
7 Assisted (instrumental) vaginal birth	4	538	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.29 [0.85, 1.96]
8 Caesarean section	7	674	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.90 [0.72, 1.12]
9 Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes	4	515	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.82 [0.42, 1.60]
10 NICU admission	3	215	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.61 [0.43, 6.05]
11 Postpartum haemorrhage (> 500 mL)	1	61	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	3.10 [0.13, 73.16]
12 Chorioamnionitis	3	468	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.03 [0.66, 6.18]
13 Endometritis	2	174	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.60 [0.27, 9.37]
14 Side effects ‐ Maternal side effects	2	384	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.59 [0.13, 2.77]
15 Time to birth ‐ Interval from intervention to birth (days)	2	133	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.20 [‐0.55, 0.14]
16 Time to birth ‐ Gestational age at birth (weeks)	2	156	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.06 [‐0.35, 0.23]
17 Indicator of 'progress' in labour ‐ Induction for gestational age > 42 weeks	2		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Totals not selected
18 Time to birth ‐ Birth within 48 hours of treatment (all births)	1	61	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	3.1 [1.29, 7.47]