Table 11 Research gaps investigating interventions to prevent intrapartum stillbirths

   • Frequency of uterine rupture in pregnancies subsequent to Caesarean section in rural settings

   • Dynamics of maternal hyperoxygenation in placental perfusion and feto-placental circulation (risk or benefit to fetus?)

   • Drug safety studies (fetal/neonatal outcomes): magnesium sulphate

   • Safety of misoprostol for induction of labour

     ◦ Vaginal misoprostol optimal dosing and dose-range studies

Pilot/clinical/cohort studies of interventions

   • Trials/comparisons of lesser-studied induction methods

     ◦ Extra-amniotic prostaglandins

     ◦ IV prostaglandins

   • Feasibility and effectiveness of oral misoprostol administration in low-resource settings

   • Foley catheter insertion for pre-induction cervical ripening

   • Transabdominal amnioinfusion, especially in cases of intact membranes

   • Effective interventions for pre-term labour

   • Acceptability and utility of inexpensive manual vacuum extractors compared to forceps for assisted vaginal delivery

Rigorously designed large RCTs powered to detect impact on stillbirth

   • Induction vs. expectant management for macrosomia and mild pre-eclampsia

   • Comparison of first attempting assisted vaginal delivery in operating theatre vs. immediate Caesarean for obstructed labour in low-/middle-income countries

   • Distress-to-decision-to-incision studies for Caesarean in low-/middle-income country settings

   • Planned Caesarean vs. vaginal breech trials to confirm or refute recommendation of Term Breech Trial for routine policy of planned Caesarean for breech

   • Impact of hyperoxygenation on stillbirth rate

   • Impact of amnioinfusion on stillbirth rate

Large effectiveness trials at scale or population level

   • Unmet obstetric need studies reporting stillbirth outcomes (in addition to maternal impact)

   • Association of facility quality improvement in comprehensive EOC/EmOC services with perinatal outcomes