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. 2020 Aug 5;2020(8):CD011625. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011625.pub3

Comparison 1. Laxative versus placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1.1 Number of women with first bowel movement within 24 hours after delivery 1 471 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.90 [2.24, 3.75]
1.2 Number of women with first bowel movement on day 1 after delivery 3   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Totals not selected
1.3 Number of women with first bowel movement on day 2 after delivery 3   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Totals not selected
1.4 Number of women with first bowel movement on day 3 after delivery 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Totals not selected
1.5 Number of women with first bowel movement on day 4 after delivery 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Totals not selected
1.6 Stool consistency ‐ loose or watery stools 1 106 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 26.96 [3.81, 191.03]
1.7 Number of postpartum enemas given 1 244 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.63 [0.38, 1.05]
1.8 Number of women receiving suppositories or enemas 1 200 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.29 [0.13, 0.65]
1.9 Number of women having 2 or more bowel movements per day 1 106 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 26.02 [1.59, 426.73]
1.10 Number of days on which a bowel movement occurred 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.10.1 Zero days 1 200 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.05 [0.00, 0.89]
1.10.2 One day 1 200 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.12 [0.45, 2.80]
1.10.3 Two days 1 200 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.60 [0.39, 0.90]
1.10.4 Three days 1 200 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.35 [0.88, 2.06]
1.10.5 Four days 1 200 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 2.70 [1.38, 5.28]
1.10.6 Five days 1 200 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.80 [0.22, 2.89]
1.11 Adverse effects: women with abdominal cramps 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Totals not selected
1.12 Adverse effects on the baby 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.12.1 Loose stools 1 281 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.62 [0.16, 2.41]
1.12.2 Diarrhoea 1 281 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.46 [0.23, 26.82]