osmotic cervical dilator - induction of labour

Last edited 11/2021 and last reviewed 01/2022

  • a medical device used to dilate the uterine cervix by swelling as it absorbs fluid from surrounding tissue

  • "..Low- to moderate- quality evidence shows mechanical induction with a balloon is probably as effective as induction of labour with vaginal PGE2. However, a balloon seems to have a more favourable safety profile.." (2)

Reference:

  • NICE (November 2021). Induction of labour
  • de Vaan MD, Ten Eikelder ML, Jozwiak M, et al. Mechanical methods for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;10(10):CD001233. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001233.pub3