After 37 weeks’ gestation, any woman with
gestational hypertension or mild-to-moderate
pre-eclampsia should be offered delivery (NICE,
2010). The HYPITAT trial randomised women in
this category to early induction (at 37 weeks) or
expectant monitoring (Koopmans et al, 2009). The
trial clearly demonstrated that induction of labour
at this gestation reduces the risk of maternal
complications and carries no additional risk to the
baby. In addition, this strategy does not increase
the risk of Caesarean section.