Comparison 3. External cephalic version (ECV) commenced before term versus ECV at term.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Non‐cephalic presentation at the birth	3	1906	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.81 [0.74, 0.90]
2 Vaginal cephalic birth not achieved (CS + vaginal breech birth)	3	1888	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.90 [0.83, 0.97]
3 Caesarean section	3	1888	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.92 [0.85, 1.00]
4 Vaginal breech birth	3	1888	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.44 [0.25, 0.78]
5 Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes	2	1759	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.16 [0.39, 3.44]
6 Stillbirth or neonatal mortality < 7 days	3	1887	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.23 [0.04, 1.34]
7 Preterm birth < 37 weeks	3	1888	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.51 [1.03, 2.21]
8 One or more serious fetal complications following randomisation	2	1761	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.87 [0.42, 1.79]
9 NICU stay 4 days or longer	1	232	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.5 [0.49, 12.63]
10 (Non‐prespecified outcome) Maternal pain score (0‐100; 0 = no pain)	1	1533	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐4.60 [‐7.74, ‐1.46]