Comparison 1. Induction versus expectant management.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1.1 Caesarean section	4	1190	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.91 [0.76, 1.09]
1.2 Instrumental delivery	4	1190	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.86 [0.65, 1.13]
1.3 Shoulder dystocia	4	1190	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.60 [0.37, 0.98]
1.4 Brachial plexus injury	4	1190	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.21 [0.01, 4.28]
1.5 Fracture (any)	4	1190	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.20 [0.05, 0.79]
1.6 Low Apgar score (5 minutes)	2	858	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.51 [0.25, 9.02]
1.7 Low arterial cord blood pH (< 7.10)	1	818	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.01 [0.46, 2.22]
1.8 Spontaneous delivery	4	1190	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.09 [0.99, 1.20]
1.9 Third‐ and fourth‐degree anal sphincter tears	2	858	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	3.03 [0.62, 14.92]
1.10 Perinatal mortality	3	0	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Not estimable
1.11 Intracranial haemorrhage	3	933	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.06 [0.19, 5.96]
1.12 Convulsions	1	0	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Not estimable
1.13 Admission to neonatal intensive care unit	2	858	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.66 [0.35, 1.24]
1.14 Mean birthweight (g)	4	1190	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐178.03 [‐315.26, ‐40.81]
1.15 Sensitivity analysis: Mean birthweight (g)	4	1190	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐169.81 [‐321.36, ‐18.25]
1.16 Non pre‐specified outcome: significant shoulder dystocia	1	818	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.32 [0.12, 0.85]
1.17 Non pre‐specified outcome: serious neonatal morbidity or death (composite outcome)	1	818	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.32 [0.15, 0.71]
1.18 Non pre‐specified outcome: use of phototherapy	1	818	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.68 [1.07, 2.66]
1.19 Non pre‐specified outcome: cephalohematoma	1	273	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.07 [0.53, 8.13]