Incompetent Cervix

What can be done to fix an incompetent cervix?

Incompetent Cervix

During pregnancy, the cervix is supposed to be tightly closed until right before delivery when it will begin to dilate. A growing baby not only puts pressure on your back, abdomen and other muscles, the weight also puts pressure on your cervix. Sometimes the pressure will cause the cerivx to dilate prematurely. This condition is known as incompetent cervix or weakened cervix. An incompetent cervix occurs in approximately 1 out of 100 pregnancies. Because doctors do not generally check for an incompetent cervix during an exam, it is usually not diagnosed until a miscarriage has occured. However, this is not always the case. Some women will know ahead of time that their cervix is weakened. A doctor can diagnose the condition with a pelvic exam or ultrasound exam if there is reason to believe that an incompetent cervix might be an issue.

An incompetent cervix can be caused by damage during a previous birth or a previous surgery on the cervix. A previous D&C from a miscarriage or abortion may also lead to an incompetent cervix in some cases. Some women are born with a defect in their cervix that can cause the condition as well. Women that have been exposed to DES (Diethylstilbestrol) are more likely to suffer from an incompetent cervix as well.

Women that suffer from an incompetent cervix have a higher chance of miscarriage and preterm delivery. To treat an incompetent cervix doctors will perform a cerclage. A cerclage is a procedure in which the doctor will sew the cervix closed with sutures to reinforce the cervix and prevent it from dilating to early. Most doctors will perform the cerclage when the mother is in her 14-16 week of pregnancy and remove the stitch once she has reached the 36-38 week. If the cervix has already dilated to 4 cm or the amniotic fluids have ruptured, a cerclage can not performed. Although rare, there are a few complications that are involved with a cerlcage. Having a cerclage can put a woman at higher risk for uterine and bladder rupture, premature labor or early rupture of membranes.

Comments: Incompetent Cervix

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Erin Nicole - 8 hours ago.
Thanks that puts my mind at ease some. And I don't have a cerclage yet but I'm thinking ill end up getting to that point. I kinda want it so I will feel alittle better about cooking this baby longer.

roosa - 9 hours ago.
Erin, the lube can definitely give you a false positive so I would also ask them about it and ask about a retest. That said, ffn test really doesn't say much. A negative is negative although you still have like a 5% chance of preterm labor. A positive really just means you have a 15% chance of preterm labor. I also had a test done, but it was negative. Had it been positive they would have given me steroids.

pregnantnprayin - 9 hours ago.
Erin for one ffn test are a waste of time for ladies like us who have a cerclage. My doc said that if I was to get a positive ffn test then he will just give me steriods just to be safe but most of the time it is a false positive and only trust neg because there is no false neg. Also you have to do the ffn test BEFORE you do any CL check or manual checks because that will give you a false positive. So I would have them redo it if I was you.

Erin Nicole - 10 hours ago.
Ps I just read up in the ffn forum and the last comment said if they did a cervix length check right before the test, bc of the lube, it could come out as a false positive....so why would they do the test today? Should I still look at it as its a real positive or ask the doctor?

Erin Nicole - 10 hours ago.
Hey girls got bad news from the doctor today. I've been feeling good and still got the results back from the ffn which were positive and my cervix is now 1.8 down from 2.6. I'm alittle scared but trying to stay positive mostly now that my bf seems to be taking it extra hard today. Has anyone had a positive ffn test and what happened? I'm getting steroid shots soon gotta make the appt today....thanks :o)

crystalz - 19 hours ago.
i had pink blood for 3 days when i wiped after my cerclage. but been fine sinse then i still feel the stitches tugging if i move the wrong way its a weird feeling.

Erin Nicole - 3 days ago.
Hey gals just a quick random question....for the past three nights when I try to sleep I wake up short of breath like I forgot to breathe or something. I feel anxious after that as well bc iit happens a few times before I can finally get completely comfortable. Just wondering if anyone else has come across this issue.

pregnantnprayin - 3 days ago.
I had only a few drops for about an hour. I was expecting more. It was a very light pink not much at all but i have heard some ladies say they had more bleeding.

myboysmyangels - 4 days ago.
i have a question for anyone who has had a cerclage placed. how long did your bleeding last? i had a cerclage put in yesterday and have been having some bleeding (expected) since but it is not heavy enough to get on a pad, however when i wipe there seems to be a fair amount. it seems (tmi!!) jelly like and still red.

roosa - 4 days ago.
Erin, actually it's been opposite for me. We were TTC for 13 months before we got pregnant and I so didn't feel like having sex, but I wanted a baby.. Once I got pregnant I actually wanted it, my desire increased a lot, and then couldn't have it. To me, well both of us, that has been hard and frustrating. I asked my OB today about intimacy these last few weeks and he said there's no restrictions. He said it may make me cramp and contract but shouldn't bring on labor - but if it did my baby will be alright.

Erin Nicole - 5 days ago.
Yeah roosa its definitely a hard thing to go through not being intimate. Poor guys. I'm more ok with it all bc I've honestly haven't wanted to do anything intimate since getting pregnant if anyone else has felt the same way. Glad to hear everyone seems to be getting good news! I'm getting that ffn test on Tuesday as well but my situation is looking like maybe this pregnancy is normal. For my body. Doc said I could just naturally have a short cervix but I'm staying on bedrest just incase. I want her to come out fat healthy and cute hehe.

roosa - 5 days ago.
fraksy, kind of a bummer that you have been moved back so far, but glad to hear baby is doing well.

Erin, I started spotting at 7 weeks with this baby and we have had no sex since. Can't even be intimate because we are nervous any sort of stimulation will cause my cervix to contract and shorten. I am going to ask my OB tomorrow though about intimacy these next few weeks, if it will be okay.

thuy, a huge congrats on a good appointment. I am glad your cervix is holding stable at a decent length and no funneling. Glad you are also able to do some work. Just keep listening to your body though. xox

thuy - 5 days ago.
Welcome home Erin, I'm glad all went well. Newbb - I had spotting throughout this pregnancy due to a polyp on my cervix. It doesn't affect the pregnancy and it goes away with the birth of the baby vaginally, otherwise they will remove it later. Well, I had good news at my appt today. I had another ffn test (last one this pregnancy) and had an u/s to measure my cervix. It has stayed consistent, closed and no more funneling. The tech did several measurements and it was around 3.4 cm. The dr said I can go back to work 5 hours a day 3 x a week and I stay on modified bed rest til I reach 34 weeks.

Erin Nicole - 5 days ago.
Newbb. I had spotting after sex from 6 weeks til 17 weeks after and during sex. We only tried to have sex I think 3 times bc of the scare and after 20 weeks nomore bleeding but now that my cervix is shortening we cant do it anymore poor guy. With pregnancy its a funny thing sometimes there is bleeding and the baby comes on time and is healthy so I hear. I also had a spot filled with blood where the placenta embedded (I forget what they called it) which could of caused bleeding too. On another note the baby shower wentoff without a hitch. I'm now back home on my back and I feel awesome. Mckayla is already a character I can tell and I have 10 more weeks of bedrest. Good luck newbb and all the other ladies. Keep the updates coming. It keeps me interested on bedrest :o)

newbb - 5 days ago.
hello ladies! I received my test results today and i guess the length of my cervix is not a concern :) and my cervix is closed. All good news but im still spotting and no one knows why. Good luck to all u ladies and thank you so much for all your advice. Now hurry up August lol

fraksy - 5 days ago.
hello ladys, baby and i are great. my cerclage is holding and the dr changed my date, i was looking forward to 24 weeks but he said ma baby is measuring at 21 weeks, well am not worried, am looking forward to holding my healthy baby girl. wish u all the best

myboysmyangels - 7 days ago.
I'm glad your taking it easy newbb, I myself was taken off of work at 11 weeks, and I am having a cerclage put in on friday. I am now 12 weeks 1 day and since being home can already feel the difference. I am on sick leave until I can start mat leave. The life of this little one is way more important than my job!

roosa - 7 days ago.
charlihadley, only 5 weeks left, yay! I got an induction date this morning - 24 days to go. I am so excited!! I can't wait to hold baby Kaden in my arms, alive and well.

charlihadley - 8 days ago.
5 weeks till i get my cerclage removed! woohoo...i will be 38 weeks...i sure do wish hed just take it out at 36 weeks! lol...hope you ladies are all doing good!!!

roosa - 8 days ago.
newbb, I am so glad you are not working at the moment and taking it easy. Again, the best thing you can do is completely lay down, particularly on your left side. That helps the blood flow to the placenta. I would do this as much as possible until you know the results of your scan. All the best!!! So glad you are being careful. xox

newbb - 8 days ago.
Hello Ladies Thank you for all your post!!! I'm so Happy i found this page! I have alot of pressure too, which i thought was strange fr only being 12 weeks.. I was going to mention it to my ob doctor!!!! I Lay in bed or sit on a couch like 85 % of the day!! I have been off work for like 2 weeks now and if i find ot it short at all im taking a early mat leave or sick leave i will not be working. The life of this lil baby is way more important!!!

charlihadley - 8 days ago.
newbb...def. agree w/all the ladies....put yourself on strict bed rest & strict pelvic rest until you find out what is going on!! my 1st pregnancy was crazy I nearly lost my baby at 23 weeks due to IC but because of listening to my body & everything falling into place...I was one of the lucky ones..plus it helped a ton having a mom who is a nurse....knowing everyone at the hospital where she works...was a blessiing!! this time around is much better had a planned cerclage at 14 weeks & if it weren't for my gallbladder that would have been the only time i have been in the hospital thus far.... hahaha really thought i was having a heart attack or had a blood clot in my lung....like I said it's great having a mom who is a nurse....called her about 12:15am besided myself in pain...I didn't know what was going on or even what to do...she asked a few questions...told me I was having a clasic gallbladder attack & what to do...so hubby had to take me into the ER about 3:30am balling my eyes out...I really don't think I have ever hurt that bad in all my life!! even giving birth ugh!! I'm sure I'm fixing to eat my words when I go into labor...hahaha Keed us posted prayers for you along w/a big hug!!

kayandrysmom - 9 days ago.
I also felt pressure and like the baby was kicking down really hard on my cervix around 21 weeks. My dr had been telling me pressure is normal especially with a second baby. At 20 weeks my cervix was 3.9cm at 21 weeks it was 1.9 cm. After that it was 2.6 for the rest of my pregnancy but i was on strict bedrest. I will never know if i had IC or if this was just normal for me..my first was born 12 days late so they dont know what happened the 2nd time. But due to the scare the second time i refuse to have more kids...i have my 2 i will count my blessings and move on :) Good luck it is very possible to have a healthy full term baby even with IC

roosa - 9 days ago.
newbb, I am so, so sorry you are going through this. Yes, IC can cause bleeding in some cases but is not the norm. That said, I don't know for sure if I lost my last one (at 19 weeks) due to IC but I had been bleeding for 7 weeks. The doctors never checked my cervix length etc, just did a regular scan, said everything looked normal and I would be fine. But it wasn't fine.. My waters ruptured at 19 weeks and I delivered my little baby girl. During my pregnancy I felt a lot of pressure but was told that's normal and told myself it's normal and so even though it was uncomfortable walking etc I still kept doing it, kept doing life as normal. I didn't listen to my body and I have regretted it ever after. My best advice to you is listen to your body and get AS MUCH rest as possible, bed rest if if you can. Lay on your left side, drink lots of water. You really don't want to do very much until you have that other scan and get the results and see what your cervix is doing and what the doctors can do. All that said you are actually one of the few that get a cervix measurement without having gone through a loss first so try to stay positive and optimistic - and resting. My cervix has shortened in this pregnancy so there is a chance I lost my last one to IC. Also, bleeding can actually irritate the membranes and make them rupture..I hope I am not scaring you too much with my own story etc but I so want all to turn out well for you. Love, Karin

crystalz - 9 days ago.
corrin---what did doc say is it baby time?