laminaria tent

These laminaria tents absorb water, gradually swelling to a diameter of 1/2 inch over 4-6 hours.

After a failed abortion, the girl claimed claimed that Cadden had inserted the laminaria tents which were found in her cervix.

Usually, preliminary procedures are performed over a period of two to three days, to gradually dilate the cervix using laminaria tents (sticks of seaweed which absorb fluid and swell).

Laminaria tents are also used in pregnant women to "ripen" (expand) the cervix to make labor and delivery easier, and also to cause abortions during the first three months of pregnancy.