Induction is an opportunity for natural vaginal birth

Induction of labour means helping your labour begin with medical support, rather than waiting for it to start on its own. It usually involves preparing your cervix—helping it soften and open—followed by encouraging contractions that work towards a vaginal birth.

Your physician or midwife has suggested starting your labour now, rather than waiting for it to begin on its own. This is usually to support the health and wellbeing of you and your baby.

‍

The most common reasons for labour induction include:

1. Post-term pregnancy—your pregnancy extends past 41 weeks.
2. Maternal conditions—high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, or gestational diabetes.
3. Foetal concerns—slowed baby growth (IUGR) or low amniotic fluid.
4. Waters breaking (PROM)—your waters broke, but contractions haven't started.

‍

Learn more in our Guide to Induction.

Your midwife or doctor is unlikely to start the drip until your cervix is favourable (meaning soft, and starting to open). Contractions against a cervix that isn't ready often don't achieve much, and can mean unnecessary distress for you or your baby. So your midwife will check where your cervix is first, often with a Bishop score. If it’s not favourable yet, the first step is cervical ripening. DILAPAN-S is one of the ways to do that.  

Cervical ripening is the process where your cervix softens, shortens, and opens to prepare your body for childbirth. For most of your pregnancy it stays firm, long, and closed to protect the baby. As you approach your due date, that starts to change.

‍

You’ll probably hear your midwife use three words for what’s happening:

‍

1. Softening = cervix goes from being firm to being soft and more pliable.

2. Effacement (shortening) = the cervix thins out and gets shorter.

3. Dilation (opening) = the cervix begins to open up.

‍

Your body usually does this on its own. If your midwife or doctor has recommended inducing labour and your cervix isn't ready yet, helping it ripen is the first step.

DILAPAN-S is made from a patented hydrogel called Aquacryl, with a plastic handle and marker string. Used in obstetrics and gynaecology, it works purely mechanically—without any hormones or medications.

While the insertion of DILAPAN-S may feel uncomfortable, it usually only takes a few minutes. Mums typically say that the rest of the ripening process (which generally takes 12–15 hours) is comfortable. Although individual sensitivity varies, clinical data suggests the procedure is well-tolerated.

‍

In fact, a trial comparing DILAPAN-S with a dinoprostone vaginal insert found similar levels of discomfort during placement—but significantly fewer women needing analgesia overall with DILAPAN-S.

The ripening stage is about softening and opening the cervix, not driving contractions, so strong, painful contractions are typically not expected here.

And because DILAPAN-S works mechanically and gradually rather than with drugs, it does not increase the risk of excessive contractions. Women using DILAPAN-S may also require less pain relief and report lower overall pain than those receiving pharmacological methods. Most are even able to move around, shower and rest during this time.

Usually, no. They’re designed to stay in place until your midwife or doctor removes them. That usually happens 12 to 15 hours after insertion (and no later than 24 hours). Occasionally, they can fall out—that may signal that labour is starting, so tell your midwife straight away. Never try to remove the dilators yourself.

Not always—because DILAPAN-S is a drug-free method, outpatient cervical ripening may be an option for you. You can rest, sleep in your own bed, and come back the next day. Your midwife or physician will let you know whether this is right for you (and what to keep in mind while you wait at home).

That’s something you’ll decide with your midwife or doctor, but it is suitable for almost all induced women. Because it is drug-free, DILAPAN-S can be used even in pregnancies that need extra care—including women with:

‍

- Highblood pressure

- Pre-eclampsia

- Gestational diabetes

- A previous Caesarean section

- Other health conditions affecting the pregnancy

The only restriction for using DILAPAN-S is an active genital tract infection. Your midwife or physician will walk you through what’s right for you and your baby.

‍

No, you can´t —DILAPAN-S is a medical device that can only be administered by a qualified healthcare provider. If a gentle, non-hormonal approach sounds right to you, talk to your midwife or physician about whether DILAPAN-S could be part of your birth plan.

Once DILAPAN-S is in place, it doesn’t stop you moving around. Depending on what your midwife advises, you can carry on with your usual everyday activities:

‍

- walk around

- take a shower

- get some sleep

‍

In some cases, you might even be able to spend the cervical ripening period at home (read more here).

Your midwife will ask you to avoid:

‍

- vaginal douching

- taking baths

- sexual intercourse

‍

If you notice excessive bleeding, strong discomfort, or have other concerns get in touch with your midwife or maternity unit straight away.

Once DILAPAN-S is removed, your midwife or physician will check how your cervix has changed and talk with you about what happens next. It depends on your hospital too, but the aim from here is to get contractions going. That might mean:

‍

- Moving around—staying active can be enough to help things along.

- Breaking your waters—a quick procedure that might start labour on its own.

- An oxytocin drip—oxytocin encourages contractions.

‍

Every birth is different, so your healthcare team will talk through these steps with you and how they fit your birth plan.

In many cases, this is exactly why it’s considered—DILAPAN-S contains no hormones or medications and expands gently and gradually. That means it can be used even in pregnancies that need extra care, including women with:

‍

- high blood pressure

- pre-eclampsia

- gestational diabetes

- a previous C-section

- or other systemic conditions

‍

It can also be used in pre-term, term, and post-term pregnancies. The only thing that rules it out is a clinically apparent genital tract infection. Your midwife will talk through what fits your situation.

‍

Often, yes. A previous C-section doesn't automatically rule out a vaginal birth. If you're hoping for a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), your doctor may recommend a trial of labour after caesarean (TOLAC)—and DILAPAN-S is one of the methods clinicians consider for ripening the cervix beforehand. In fact, because it's drug-free and works gradually, it's often preferred. Your midwife or doctor will talk through whether it's right for you and your baby.

DILAPAN-S is a synthetic osmotic cervical dilator used to soften and dilate the cervix. It's a non-hormonal method used, among others, to prepare the cervix for labour induction. Multiple national clinical guidelines, including NICE, recommend this non-hormonal approach.

Discover more in our video.

Once inserted, DILAPAN-S absorbs natural fluids from your cervix, gradually expanding and gently opening the cervical canal. This usually takes 12–15 hours. Since there are no hormones or medications involved, you might be eligible for outpatient cervical ripening—meaning you might wait at home and carry on with your day.

‍

Many expectant mums are able to keep going about their day:

- walking

- showering

- sleeping

‍

Learn more in our guide to induction.

‍