Rates of serious maternal complications appear very low (median < 5%) [92]. Timing of delivery should be individualized, recognizing that on average, pregnancy prolongation is 2 weeks. If preeclampsia is complicated by HELLP, fewer days will be gained (median 5) and serious maternal morbidity will be higher (median 15%); >50% have temporary improvement of HELLP which may enable regional anaesthesia or vaginal delivery [92]. For late preterm preeclampsia (340–366 weeks), delaying delivery may facilitate cervical

ripening and vaginal delivery [372], but substantial perinatal benefits Paclitaxel order are not anticipated and there are concerns about the vulnerability of the fetal brain to injury at this time [373]. We await data from two RCTs (HYPITAT-II, www.studies-obsgyn.nl;

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00789919). In antihypertensive comparison RCTs near or at term, pregnancy prolongation was associated with a Caesarean delivery rate of ∼70% [374], [375], [376], [377] and [378], with little or no information about pregnancy prolongation or other maternal or perinatal outcomes. With term preeclamspia (370–420 weeks) labour induction is indicated to reduce poor maternal outcome (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45–0.82) [379]. This policy has a favourable impact on health-related quality of life [380]. Women with term gestational hypertension probably benefit from labour induction by decreasing poor maternal outcome (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59, 0.86, preeclampsia and gestational hypertension data combined)

[379]. Among women with uncomplicated pre-existing hypertension, delivery at 380–396 weeks Small Molecule Compound Library appears out to optimize the trade-off between the risk of adverse fetal (stillbirth) or maternal complications (superimposed preeclampsia and abruption) that increase with gestational age, and neonatal mortality and morbidity that decreases in incidence with gestational age [381]. Trial data are needed. We were unable to identify data on the cost-effectiveness of labour induction for women with a HDP before 340 weeks. For women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia near term (340–366 weeks), a policy of labour induction is cost-effective based on neonatal and maternal morbidity, based on controlled retrospective data; labour induction cost CAD$299 more but was associated with better quality of life [www.nice.org.uk/guidance] [382]. For women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia at ⩾370 weeks, labour induction is cost-saving (by CAD$1,065) due to less antepartum resource use [383]. 1. For women with any HDP, vaginal delivery should be considered unless a Caesarean delivery is required for the usual obstetric indications (II-2B; Low/Strong). All women with a HDP should be considered for labour induction. Choosing the mode of delivery should consider both the gestational age and fetal status.