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Updated: Oct 3, 2025
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Biaxial Basal Tone and Passive Testing of the Murine Reproductive System Using a Pressure Myograph
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Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor
Vernon Wheeler1, Ariel Hoffman2, Michael Bybel1
1Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX, USA.
American Family Physician
|February 15, 2022
Summary
Inducing labor is common. Membrane sweeping and cervical ripening methods like balloons can help initiate labor, while oxytocin and prostaglandins are effective pharmacologic options for labor induction.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Induction of labor is a frequent obstetric intervention, with about 25% of pregnant individuals undergoing the procedure.
- Various methods, both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic, are employed to initiate labor and prepare the cervix.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize evidence on different methods for labor induction and cervical preparation.
- To assess the effectiveness of various interventions in increasing spontaneous labor and reducing time to delivery.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on non-pharmacologic methods (exercise, nipple stimulation, acupuncture, membrane sweeping, osmotic dilators, cervical ripening balloons, amniotomy).
- Evaluation of pharmacologic interventions including oxytocin, prostaglandins, and combined methods (balloon catheter with misoprostol).
Main Results:
- Membrane sweeping shows strong evidence for increasing spontaneous labor likelihood within 48 hours.
- Non-pharmacologic cervical ripening methods like osmotic dilators and balloons may reduce time to delivery.
- Pharmacologic agents (oxytocin, prostaglandins) are effective for cervical ripening and labor induction.
- Combining balloon catheters with misoprostol may decrease delivery time, based on limited studies.
Conclusions:
- Several methods exist for labor induction and cervical preparation, with varying degrees of evidence for effectiveness.
- Non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches can be utilized to manage labor induction and cervical ripening.
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