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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ttc3yrs - 26 days ago.
Thanks again to everyone who responded to my concerns! I should be thankful I am off work now and resting. Just waiting for the cerclage to be placed and reading your stories. : )

Katiegirl - 26 days ago.
ttc3yrs- I forgot to mention something. When you are in recovery they have you hooked up to an IV for fluids, etc. Plus they offer juice/cookies. Try not to drink too much. It takes a while before you get enough feeling back down there to use the bathroom. By the time they gave me a second IV bag and some juice my bladder was so full and pushing against everything, it made it really uncomfortable.I didn't have enough feeling back to use the bathroom, so they had to use a catheter.But after that I felt 100% better. Just wish I would have known about that. I am now almost 26 weeks and the cerclage is holding up very nicely. They check it with an internal sono every two weeks. Also at 24 weeks they started doing this FFN test (swab of the cervix) every two weeks to make sure there are no signs that my body is preparing for labor. They seem to be right on top of everything and i am very confident that everything will work out this time. Good luck to you.

adriana03 - 26 days ago.
Congrats ti-tell!!! Who will be next ??? I'm hoping to go within 2-3 weeks lol.

MARKiA - 26 days ago.
i have an incompetent cervix,i had a cerclage at 20wks. they gave me a spinal but i could still feel everything. i ended up having my baby at 29 weeks bc my school would nt let me go on bedrest when my doctor ordered it.

NonhlanhlaM - 27 days ago.
til-tell> Congrats dear! We're after you!

ti-tell2000 - 27 days ago.
I had my little girl! She was born October 21 at 801pm at 37 weeks and 2 days. She weighed 6lbs 11oz and is 19''. I will post pictures soon.

charlihadley - 27 days ago.
ttc dont be scared!! im 19 weeks and just got y cerclage when i was 14 weeks....i got put to slsep so i wouldnt hae to get a spinal.....they will give u medicines to make you loopy...you will be drunk as a skunk while getting it done, prbably talk towhole time...hahaah...

ttc3yrs - 28 days ago.
Thank you, Katiegirl. I think I am just nervous so that makes me feel better when I know what to expect.

Katiegirl - 29 days ago.
ttc3yrs- I had my cerclage placed July 29th. I lost my twin boys at 16 weeks last year, so they did it as a precaution.I was nervous too, but it was pretty quick and painless. The spinal didn't hurt. They gave me a small shot first, so i wouldn't feel the spinal. Pretty soon i couldn't feel anything from the waist down.My legs were up in stirrups and a drape in front of me so i didn't have to watch. I just talked with the anesteologist during the 10 or so mintues it took to complete.The numbing was definitely a weird feeling though. When they took my legs out of the stirrups and layed them flat, I felt like they were in the upright bent position for a while even though they weren't. The feeling started coming back starting in my toes and eventually made it up to my hips a couple hours later. After i used the bathroom they sent me home. I didn't have any pain. Maybe slight soreness the day of. I was nervous too, but it wasn't bad at all.

ttc3yrs - 29 days ago.
Count down to my cerclage scheduled in 3 weeks! I am scared! Anybody have any advice for me? I lost my baby girl, Isaiah last year at 19 weeks, 3 days of pregnancy. I will be 16 weeks when I get the cerclage done in November. I will be having a spinal anesthetic, which also scares me. What's it like?

adriana03 - 29 days ago.
4 more weeks till im off bedrest completleyyyyand no more progesterone shots or terbutaline! yeyy.... and just two more weeks till i meet my goal of 34 weeks. It seems surreal that i have made it this far. At 25 weeks i was already dialated. I havent been checked idk why, but hopefully ill see a little but not alot of progress at my 34 week checkup!

debbie1 - 32 days ago.
Ladies my doc has taken me off complete bedrest, my cervix is measuring at 2cm with preasure no funneling. I was on modified bedrest last 2 weeks I did a lot more than usual, so today there was no changes and since I'm not having any contractions and my cerclege comes out next Tuesday he said that I can do most things around the house like prepare quick meals for my family etc. I feel like finally I can enjoy the rest of my pregnancy. I'm happy so to be spending more time with my family

K Rae - 33 days ago.
NonhlanhlaM ~thank you! It nice to hear some postive feedback. I am trying my best to just relax and not think to hard about it.

NonhlanhlaM - 33 days ago.
K Rae > i had a similar situation, but mine is now closed i had a bed rest for a month then went again for a check-up now everything is in order and but i just need to relax as much as i can and do nothing hectic to distabe this until i'n at least 20 weeks. Don't worry all will be well with you too!!

ti-tell2000 - 34 days ago.
Mperez-Congrats! I pray that all is going well with your little one. Blessedx4- Congrats on getting your cerclage out. You are right, now the waiting begins! I just got back from the doctor and 1 week post removal I am still at 2cm. Doc said he could feel scar tissue at the end of my cervix from the cerclage so it may take a little while to start dilating.

kayandrysmom - 34 days ago.
DIsability is different for every state. With FMLA you are only garunteed to keep your job for 12 weeks...after the 12 weeks your employer has no law saying they need to keep you...they can legally fire you after the 12 weeks. I was out on bedrest for 13 weeks...i got NYS disability the whole time but it was only 170 a week...at least it was something though.

K Rae - 35 days ago.
I am worried that if I need a cerclage and bed rest for 6 months, how will I pay my bills?! I know I can get FMLA but thats unpaid. Also it only last for 12 weeks. I want to be there for my baby for a little while after its born. Is it possible to get disabilty? I don't want to worry cause I think it gonna make things worse... I can't help how I feel though.

blessedx4 - 35 days ago.
I had my cerclage removed this past Thursday, and all went well, the removal was painfree, but like the others, being checked was more painful. I had no contractions at all, but some slight bleeding for about a day. Now the waiting begins, I cannot believe I made it this far, without a day of bedrest. I am 37 weeks today.

charlihadley - 35 days ago.
had my cerclage for 4 weeks and its holdin up great....no contractions or anything, feels like what a normal pregnancy should feel like :)

kayandrysmom - 35 days ago.
I was on prometrium from 21 weeks (when my short cervix was found) until 34 weeks. It is said to strenghten your cervix and stop preterm labor

K Rae - 35 days ago.
When I was 4w 5d I was prescribed Prometruim because my level was 12 and my ob wanted it at 20. I am week 9 now. About a week ago I had my first pelvic exam and was informed that I had a short cervix and may need a cerclage. I go back in three weeks to get checked again. I am going to get u/s about every 2 weeks from then on out to see if i will need the cerclage done. I was told that I would be done with the Prometruim once I enter my 2nd trimester... now I wonder if I will be on it longer. Does anyone has a similar experience with this?

corrin - 36 days ago.
WOOOHOOOOO 22 weeks and no complications..no bedrest..NOTHING. Something so simple but yet its a huge step!!!! Although me and pregnancy dont get along, i am soo happy this time around!!! Hope everyone else is doing great!! Keep those babies in!!! BYE!!

kayandrysmom - 36 days ago.
I had one done in the Drs office when i was around 26 weeks...took 24 hours

adriana03 - 36 days ago.
Momofqtpies. I had mine done in the hospital cuz I had contractions. Results I think they said take 30 min. Not sure if a doc office is different.

momofqtpies - 37 days ago.
does anyone no how long it takes to get the results for the ffn test? Had it done yesterday hoping it returns negative.