Efficacy and Safety of Laminaria Digitata for Preinduction Ripening of the Cervix

Twenty-five study patients in whom laminaria tents had been used for the preinduction ripening of the cervix were compared with 28 control patients in a retrospective study. Both groups had comparable indications for induction, parity, mean maternal age, mean birth weight, and gestational age. Although laminaria appeared to be effective in reducing the duration of induction, no difference in the incidence of cesarean birth was apparent between the laminaria and nonlaminaria groups. Maternal endometritis was present in 15 of 25 mothers in the laminaria group, and in 3 of 28 in the control groups (P