Ambulatory cervical ripening in term pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To study the safe use of Dilapan at term for ripening the unfavorable cervix in an outpatient setting.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective review of cervical ripening with Dilapan in women at term gestation. Such women were assigned to either outpatient or inpatient cervical ripening with Dilapan.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients were assigned to each group. The length of induction was similar between women who had ambulatory cervical ripening and hospitalized patients (11 +/- 7 vs. 14 +/- 7 hours, respectively), and the rates of chorioamnionitis, endometritis and nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings were also similar. However, the average length of hospitalization was significantly shorter for those who had ambulatory ripening as compared to those who were hospitalized (51 +/- 27 vs. 70 +/- 20 hours, respectively; P < .0007).

CONCLUSION

The use of Dilapan for cervical ripening at term in an ambulatory setting is safe and effective and may decrease the overall hospitalization time and cost.