Skip to main content
. 2020 Jul 15;2020(7):CD004945. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004945.pub5

Comparison 2. Labour induction versus expectant management (subgroup analysis by gestational age at induction).

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
2.1 Perinatal death 22 18795 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.31 [0.15, 0.64]
2.1.1 < 40 weeks 4 7126 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.50 [0.13, 2.01]
2.1.2 40 to 41 weeks 3 760 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.31 [0.01, 7.45]
2.1.3 ≥ 41 weeks 15 10909 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.26 [0.11, 0.64]
2.2 Stillbirth 22 18795 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.30 [0.12, 0.75]
2.2.1 < 40 weeks 4 7126 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.51 [0.09, 2.76]
2.2.2 40 to 41 weeks 3 760 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.31 [0.01, 7.45]
2.2.3 ≥ 41 weeks 15 10909 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.24 [0.08, 0.78]
2.3 Admission to neonatal intensive care unit 17 17826 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.88 [0.80, 0.96]
2.3.1 < 40 weeks 5 7409 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.90 [0.79, 1.02]
2.3.2 40 to 41 weeks 3 527 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.68 [0.53, 5.29]
2.3.3 ≥ 41 weeks 9 9890 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.84 [0.74, 0.96]
2.4 Caesarean section 31 21030 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.90 [0.85, 0.95]
2.4.1 < 40 weeks 8 8537 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.87 [0.80, 0.95]
2.4.2 40 to 41 weeks 6 1189 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.12 [0.88, 1.43]
2.4.3 ≥ 41 weeks 17 11304 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.90 [0.83, 0.97]
2.5 Operative vaginal birth (forceps or ventouse) 22 18584 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.03 [0.96, 1.10]
2.5.1 < 40 weeks 7 8376 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.04 [0.93, 1.16]
2.5.2 40 to 41 weeks 4 707 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.64 [0.82, 3.29]
2.5.3 ≥ 41 weeks 11 9501 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.01 [0.92, 1.11]
2.6 Perineal trauma 5 11589 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.04 [0.85, 1.26]
2.6.1 < 40 weeks 2 6714 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.18 [0.90, 1.55]
2.6.2 40 to 41 weeks 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Not estimable
2.6.3 ≥ 41 weeks 3 4875 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.89 [0.66, 1.19]