DILAPAN-S
healthcare economics

We’re new to DILAPAN-S but we’ve seen really good results particularly in our primips. We’ve noticed improved patient flow, reduced time for induction, and freeing up more midwives since we’re not using  [a commonly used induction method, ed. note], we’re not seeing women struggling with the pains and needing more attention.

We particularly like using (DILAPAN-S) on high risk women and especially those with IUGR, small babies, GDM and VBACS  because it does give us more control than prostaglandins.

I've been around through a lot of inducing procedures in my time, but I must say that the DILAPAN-S that we've been using recently in the last three years has actually changed our practice quite a lot. We've expanded the number of induction of labours for us in outpatients from 2% to about 35%.

Probably the main change (after implementing DILAPAN-S) has been the comfort of the women on the ward, women are a lot better at mobilizing, also when they need to rest they can rest, reduction in our analgesia usage…

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94% of women would recommend having DILAPAN-S to a friend who had also need an induction.

We were getting many complaints about how painful the induction process was with [a commonly used induction method, ed. note] and I'm pleased to say we saw DILAPAN-S exceed all of the expectations with a more comfortable night's sleep and a more comfortable insertion.

DILAPAN-S is a wonderful addition to our (IOL) options.

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Our women like that it’s in for a shorter period of time, there’s less risk for their baby as there’s no drugs or hormones that might cause hyperstimulation, they like the non-pharmacological option.

…(with inserted DILAPAN-S) they go for a walk with their partner, they get in on the birthing ball, they're doing all those really positive things that are actually going to encourage labour rather than be stuck on a bed strapped to a monitor…

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Basically, they are little rods that expand. So, they put these rods up inside you, and through osmosis, they expand. There are no hormones involved in the process and that means you can go home, whereas with the things like gels and pessaries, they are all hormone based. So, there is the risk of your cervix spasming and contracting, and that can lead to a really fast labour. There is much less risk.

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This is basically a natural way to dilate you. I couldn't find any stories about using DILAPAN-S, so I had no idea what to expect. All the induction stories that I have seen online and heard people talk about I was scared because people say that an induction can go on for days and days. But the DILAPAN-S? I would get again.

5 rods of dilapan were inserted into my cervix on January 4th at 12pm. DILAPAN-S was inserted using a speculum similar to a smear test. It was a little uncomfortable but I didn't need any pain relief and once it was in you couldn't feel it. I went to the toilet as normal and was told it would stay in me for 12-15 hours to help soften the cervix. During this time I was having minor contractions which felt like mild period pains.(…) All in all it's probably been the best labour out of all 3 of my children.

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Rods were inserted into my cervix at 5pm, I had mild contractions all night in the hospital ward but managed to sleep. At 5am doctors removed the rods to find I was successfully 4cm dilated.