Comparison 31. Any mechanical method and prostaglandin E2 versus prostaglandin E2 alone: all women.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Vaginal delivery not achieved in 24 hours	1	39	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.84 [0.53, 1.33]
2 Uterine hyperstimulation with FHR changes	2	122	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.26 [0.01, 5.12]
3 Caesarean section	7	517	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI)	0.96 [0.66, 1.40]
4 Cervix unfavourable/unchanged after 24 hours	1	122	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.52 [0.31, 0.85]
5 Oxytocin augmentation	1	44	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.95 [0.64, 1.41]
6 Uterine hyperstimulation without FHR changes	3	239	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Epidural analgesia	1	39	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.98 [0.77, 1.24]
8 Instrumental vaginal delivery	2	78	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.56 [0.22, 1.45]
9 Meconium‐stained liquor	1	120	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.97 [0.33, 2.83]
10 Neonatal intensive care unit admission	1	44	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.26 [0.01, 5.12]
11 Postpartum haemorrhage	1	39	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Chorioamnionitis	2	122	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.56 [0.45, 5.45]
13 Endometritis	3	237	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.07 [0.41, 2.78]
14 Fetal distress	2	140	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.28 [0.54, 9.69]