| Methods |
Method of randomisation and concealment of allocation not described. |
| Participants |
Women at 38 weeks of gestation, with dates determined by last menstrual periods, fundal height and ultrasound performed before 26 weeks. Exclusions: malpresentations, previous LSCS, vaginal bleeding, uncertain gestational age. |
| Interventions |
Weekly sweeping of membranes; for women with a closed cervix, digital stretching of the cervix was performed. In the control group, weekly cervical assessment by Bishop score was performed. |
| Outcomes |
Delivery within 7 days, delivery after 40 and after 41 weeks, operative delivery, neonatal morbidity (chorioamnionitis and meconium staining). Data on spotting, pain and oligohydramnios are reported for the sweeping of membranes group, but not for the control group. |
| Notes |
Author contacted, no reply. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
