The trend of non-pharmacological labour induction is rising.
According to 2021 European market survey, over 50% of clinicians predict an increase in the popularity of mechanical methods for labour induction in the coming years.
DILAPAN-S represents a non-pharmacological method recommended by the NICE guideline. It is a synthetic osmotic cervical dilator produced from a patented Aquacryl® hydrogel specifically developed for obstetrics and gynaecology.

Key benefits
Reduction in staff time requirement by 2.4 hours vs dinoprostone
Non-pharma mode of action offers predictability and ease of scheduling
Minimal complications and no requirement for CTG monitoring or special care
First-round cervical ripening success rate higher than dinoprostone
Vaginal delivery rate comparable to prostaglandins
Vaginal delivery rate within 24 hours comparable to low-dose oral misoprostol
Minimizes the risk of hyperstimulation with NRFHR* changes
No serious adverse neonatal outcomes
Significantly reduced analgesia need
*NRFHR = Non-Reassuring Fetal Heart Rate
Superior to prostaglandins and Foley catheter
Improved ability to relax, move and sleep vs other cervical ripening methods
Broad utility for most patient types
A recommended option for out-patient ripening
Midwife insertion possible
A set of 4–5 DILAPAN-S is usually used to ripen the cervix sufficiently.
DILAPAN-S is fully comparable to pharmacological methods in vaginal delivery rate while offering safety benefits and superior maternal satisfaction.
How does DILAPAN-S expand?
The dilator increases in volume by absorbing fluid from the cervical tissue.
Achieved cervical dilation depends on the length of DILAPAN-S insertion.
The thin 4 mm dilator can expand up to 15 mm over a 12-24 hour period (free swelling).
The dilator increases in volume by absorbing fluid from the cervical tissue.
Achieved cervical dilation depends on the length of DILAPAN-S insertion.
The thin 4 mm dilator can expand up to 15 mm over a 12-24 hour period (free swelling).


Recommended by NICE IOL Guideline [NG207]
DILAPAN-S is listed among recommended methods for routine use by the NICE guideline.
The guideline recommends discussing with women the risks and benefits of each method, incl. the safety benefits of mechanical methods and the safety risks of pharmacological approaches.
Designed specifically to ripen the cervix in three ways:



The above 3 mechanisms make DILAPAN-S a unique method of cervical ripening.
After removal of Dilapan-S, the ripe cervix may appear less effaced than with other protocols, but will be notably soft, stretchy and dilated.
After ARM, it can be expected that the pressure of the fetal head on the stretchy, softened tissue will support further effacement and dilation.
Example of optimised ripening algorithm with DILAPAN-S
“DILAPAN-S is fully comparable to pharmacological methods in vaginal delivery rate, while offering better safety profile and superior maternal satisfaction.”
“DILAPAN-S improves maternal satisfaction during cervical ripening, incl. pain decrease reported by mothers.”
“DILAPAN-S can help to manage an issue of uterine tachysystole related to pharmacological cervical ripening.”
“Induction with DILAPAN-S helps to decrease a need of analgesics, incl. strong opioids.”
“First round cervical ripening success rate with DILAPAN-S is around 80%. In SOLVE trial the rate was approximately by 10% higher than with Propess.”
DILAPAN-S in numbers

years of experience on the market

countries we work in

of vaginal deliveries

Consistently superior maternal satisfaction accross multiple clinical trials
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