Mechanical dilatation of the cervix during labour.

An instrument designed to produce vibrations to the cervix was assessed as a method of shortening the active phase of labour in 138 patients with abnormal labour. Results showed that it shortened labour in multiparous but not in nulliparous women. The cervilator's obvious benefit in certain patients and lack of apparent complications suggest that it can be a valuable addition to labour ward equipment. Further work is required to establish in which patients the instrument is likely to have the greatest value.