Evidence-based intrapartum care: evidence from the Cochrane library

Objective.. To describe the concepts on which systematic reviews of randomi zed controlled trials are based, and to explore the evidence for effectiven ess of clinical interventions during labor and delivery. Methods: Review of systematic reviews of interventions during labor and delivery, published i n the Cochrane Library. Results: Some commonly applied clinical interventio ns are supported by evidence; others are not. Conclusion: It is possible to classify interventions during labor and delivery according to their effect iveness, to improve clinical care, identify priorities where resources are scarce, and help set clinical research agendas. (C) 1998 International Fede ration of Gynecology and Obstetrics.