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Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cervix ripening with vaginal controlled-release Propess®. Patients and methods: A retrospective study of all women who underwent cervical ripening with Propess® during the study period from 1st January 2002 to 31st December 2004 was carried out. A total of 130 patients who experienced Propess® was compared with the next following patient who delivered spontaneously matched on gestational age. Modes of delivery, failure of labor, maternal morbidity were recorded. Results: Indications for induction of labor were: post-term pregnancies in 18.5%, pre-eclampsia in 20.8%, oligohydroamnios in 18.5%, post-term pregnancy and oligohydramnios in 10.8%, intra-uterine fetal growth in 6.9%, premature rupture of membranes in 6.9%, diminution of fetal mobility in 6.1% and miscellaneous in 11.5%. Failure of cervical ripening was 21.2%. Patients in the Propess® group had a 3.5 fold higher risk of Cesarean section [95% CI: 1.5–8.3; P <0.04]. There was no case of maternal or fetal death. There was no difference in incidence of maternal complications, and post-partum haemorrhage. Discussion and conclusion: Use of vaginal pessary Propess® does not induce adverse maternal or fetal morbidity. However, it was associated with a higher incidence of Cesarean delivery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]