| Methods |
Random allocation based on a computer generated sequence. Concealment of allocation by consecutively numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. |
| Participants |
Pregnant women at 38 weeks, with gestational age ascertained by sonography. Women with closed cervix were not included. |
| Interventions |
Membranes stripping or gentle cervical examination, performed by one clinician |
| Outcomes |
Continuation of pregnancy beyond 41 weeks, discomfort during the procedure, caesarean section, premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, Apgar score <7 at 5', admission to NICU, neonatal death. |
| Notes |
9 women lost to follow‐up and 12 excluded (postrandomisation?) because of closed cervix. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Low risk |
A ‐ Adequate |
