How Many Hospitals Use DILAPAN-S & Why It’s Becoming a Preferred Option for Induction of Labour

Hannah Hunt
22 hours ago
3 min read

In a calming clinic setting, a pregnant woman consults with a healthcare professional. A box of Dilapan-S is prominently displayed, indicating a discussion about cervical dilation options.

One of the most common questions asked by UK maternity clinicians and pregnant people considering induction of labour is: “How many hospitals actually use DILAPAN-S?”. The answer: 91 out of the UK’s 155 maternity units currently use DILAPAN-S as part of their induction pathway. That means well over half of all UK hospitals now provide DILAPAN-S as a cervical ripening option.

But why are so many maternity units choosing DILAPAN-S? Below, we break down the key reasons behind its widespread adoption, and what this means for both clinicians and patients.

Person in blue gloves holding a metal tray with five DILAPAN-S dilators, indoors with blurred background.

Why DILAPAN-S Is Used in Over Half of UK Maternity Units

1. A Predictable, Mechanical Method of Cervical Ripening

DILAPAN-S is a mechanical dilator - this means it uses no hormonal or drug component, and works by gently dilating the cervix over 12-15 hours. This makes it a highly predictable option, reducing the uncertainty associated with pharmacological agents. Hospitals often favour it because it results in more consistent cervical change without relying on prostaglandins. Clinical studies comparing DILAPAN-S with prostaglandins have found it to have a 10% higher first-round success rate, alongside a fully comparable vaginal delivery rate 1,2,3.

2. Lower Risk of Uterine Hyperstimulation

Because it’s non-pharmacological, DILAPAN-S avoids uterine hyperstimulation - a key safety concern in induction pathways. For clinicians, this means less monitoring requirements and less analgesia administration. For patients, it means fewer complications.

"We’ve been using DILAPAN-S since 2018. I can’t remember ever having a hyperstimulation with DILAPAN-S that we needed to section – it is that safe." - Dr. Chineze Otigbah, Consultant

3. Supports Outpatient Induction Pathways

Many NHS trusts have expanded their outpatient IOL pathways, and DILAPAN-S is particularly well-suited to this model due to its favourable safety profile 1,2,3.. Patients can often return home comfortably while cervical ripening takes place, improving their experience and reducing inpatient bed pressure.

4. Reduced Midwifery Workload

Because DILAPAN-S:

Has no drug-related monitoring requirements
Is simple to insert and remove
Works predictably over 12–15 hours

…it helps support stretched maternity teams and simplifies workflow.

"DILAPAN-S has really improved our flow through the labour ward. We don’t have women jumping the queue because they’re hyperstimulating or going into labour. We have no CAT1 sections with DILAPAN-S in the stage prior to oxytocin and we don’t have any hyperstimulation - those things have made a huge difference to our workload as it has reduced the number of CTGs" - Kate Conway, Matron

Pregnant woman in a green dress holding her belly, standing in front of a wooden door. Her hands convey care and tenderness.

Benefits for Patients

Multiple studies have shown that people induced with DILAPAN-S report superior satisfaction versus prostaglandins and the balloon catheter.. DILAPAN-S patients experience less frequent and less intense uterine contractions, and are more able to relax, sleep, and mobilise during their induction without sacrificing efficacy1,2,3.

A recent meta analysis found a 99% probability of lowering risk of cesarean rates among multiparous patients induced with DILAPAN-S 4. As patient experience becomes an increasingly important metric, many trusts find DILAPAN-S supports more positive induction journeys.

Key Takeaways

With increasing demand for induction of labour across the NHS, DILAPAN-S offers a reliable, scalable approach, which explains its widespread and growing adoption across the UK.
Over half of UK hospitals use DILAPAN-S
DILAPAN-S is a mechanical cervical ripening method with no drugs.
Benefits include reduced hyperstimulation risk, suitability for outpatient IOL, improved patient comfort, and lower workload for clinicians.
It is increasingly used across NHS maternity units as part of modern, efficient induction pathways.

Learn more:

References

A randomized controlled trial of Dilapan-S vs Foley balloon for preinduction cervical ripening (DILAFOL trial) Saad AF, Villarreal J, Eid J, et al. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019;220(3):275.e1-275.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.01.008
A randomized trial of synthetic osmotic cervical dilator for induction of labor versus dinoprostone vaginal insert (SOLVE trial) Gupta JK, Maher A, Stubbs C, Brocklehurst P, Daniels JP, Hardy P on behalf of the SOLVE collaborative group, American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, MFM, March 2022
Cervical Ripening Efficacy of Synthetic Osmotic Cervical Dilator Compared With Oral Misoprostol at Term (COMRED trial). Gavara R. et al. Obstetrics & Gynecology: May, 2022
Saad et al.: Dilapan-S vs standard methods for cervical ripening in term pregnancies: An individual patient data meta-analysis. AJOG MFM, December 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.10158