Comparison of Two Mechanical Methods of Outpatient Ripening of the Cervix

Term, low risk patients requesting elective induction of labor who desire pre‐induction cervical ripening at home will be randomized to receive an outpatient trans‐cervical ripening balloon (17 F non‐latex Foley catheter) or hygroscopic cervical dilator (Dilapan‐S). Patients present to the hospital for their scheduled induction of labor approximately 12 hours later. We hypothesize that the trans‐cervical balloon and hygroscopic dilators will show equivalent efficacy in cervical ripening, but that pain scores and patient satisfaction will be better with the hygroscopic dilators.