Cervidil® is a medication which is administered when an obstetrician determines that it would be safer for a woman to start labor immediately, rather than waiting for labor to start naturally. This drug is one among an assortment of medications which can be used to induce labor or to accelerate the labor process, and it is administered in a hospital setting on a doctor's orders only. Women who are concerned about the medications used to induce labor may want to discuss them with an obstetrician or midwife during the formulation of a birth plan, so that they will not be forced to make decisions rapidly in an emergency.
Known generically as dinoprostone, Cervidil® is the pharmaceutical version of prostaglandin E2, a naturally occurring compound in the body. Throughout pregnancy, the body produces prostaglandin E2 to soften the cervix for delivery, in a process known as cervical ripening. Administering Cervidil® or other forms of dinoprostone accelerates the cervical ripening process, softening the cervix further and stimulating the production of uterine contractions. The time between administration of the drug and delivery varies, as there are many factors involved in the labor process.
The drug is delivered in a pouch, in a method similar to that used with a tampon; the pouch is inserted into the vagina and left there. When the period of recommended dosage is over, or if complications appear, the pouch is removed. Because Cervidil® increases the effect of oxytocin, it cannot be administered at the same time as oxytocin, or a condition known as uterine hyperstimulation can occur.
Side effects of Cervidil® can include nausea and vomiting, uterine hyperstimulation, and irregularities in the fetal heart rate caused by the intense contractions. Due to concerns about the fetal heart rate, continuous fetal monitoring is sometimes recommended after administration, so that a doctor can identify any danger signs early and intervene if necessary. The use of the drug can also be contraindicated in women with a history of bad reactions to prostaglandins, or women with certain types of medical conditions.
The Cervidil® vaginal insert is manufactured by Forest Laboratories, Incorporated. Several other companies make versions of dinoprostone which are considered pharmaceutically identical to Cervidil®. Pregnant women should make sure that their obstetricians are familiar with their complete medical history, even if information does not seem relevant to pregnancy, labor, and delivery, so that their doctors can make informed choices about what to prescribe during labor.