The main outcome measure was the risk of delivery by caesarean section because of recurrent herpes infection. The decision to perform a caesarean section was left to the discretion of the obstetrician caring for the woman, In London, obstetricians recommended delivery by caesarean section for recurrent genital herpes infection at the time of labour or induction of labour. In Shefield, the obstetricians recommended delivery by caesarean section if there was either recurrent genital herpes infection at the onset of labour or if there was a clinical recurrence at ≥ 38 weeks of gestation, in which case delivery was by elective caesarean section.