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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momofqtpies - 37 days ago.
MPerez Congrats!! Thank God for making it that far. I'm glad you and baby are doing well. Take care and enjoy your new LO.

debbie1 - 37 days ago.
mperez-Congrats. I'm so happy your angel is doing well. God bless and keep him safe.

NonhlanhlaM - 37 days ago.
mperez> Woow i' m happy for you girl, all of the best for you and the LO!!!!!

mperez - 37 days ago.
I just wanted to let you girls know that i has baby yesteday i was 29 week my water broke with out contraction my baby is doing very good in the incu my cerclage rip with the contraction i had when i whent into labor.

charlihadley - 37 days ago.
worried nanny, mine wasnt genetic, i guess seeing as my mother and grandmother never had this happen to them..my sister had two very healthy pregnacies.....im just the unlucky one lol....so glad ur daughter made it to 24 weeks!!! wooohooooo,....next iis 26 weeks is an important week!!!

debbie1 - 38 days ago.
Jbtd- I'm on pregestorne and have had a cerclege due to a lost around 20 weeks. I'd don't why that happen to you however I wanted every thing that would help me get that health baby! I'm 34 weeks now so I'm please with insisting that my docs prescribe the meds and do the cerclege. I always say that I'd rather do all I can than wished that I had now that I know the alternative (loosing my little boy). I want to tell you that I know how you feel, I thought that I would lose my sanity, It took time and love of my 2 other children and husband to help move past the lost. It still hurts ...but I'm still blessed. I wish you a healthy baby the next time you decide to try.

jbtd - 38 days ago.
I lost my son at 23 weeks. I have had one doctor tell me it was due to PTL and the other tell me it was IC??? I had to take progesterone in the first trimester with my first son and I carried him to term. I had two early MCs and I did not take progesterone with either. I have no other health problems. I took progesterone with my last pregnancy during the first trimester. I had belly tightening on and off from around 14 weeks, but never more than 6 an hour. I had low back pain from 14 weeks also. They said that was from pressure on a nerve. I had some pressure around 22 weeks and felt a few cramps and that is when I went to L and D. I was completely effaced and dilated. I was in the hospital for a week and still lost my baby boy. I have posted on here before and really hope I can get some help understanding what caused this. I don't want this to happen to another child of mine. I know understanding the cause will determine the treatment. I am a little nervous about a preventive cerclage because of the risks of contractions and infections, especially if I only have PTL. I want to do everything I can to prevent this so I will do it if I have to. I know they want to give me the 17P shots in addition to the cerclage. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

NonhlanhlaM - 40 days ago.
ti-tell2000> wE MUST THANK GOD FOR THE BEST THINGS HE GIVES US EVERYDAY. I'M GLAD ALL IS WELL NOW, ENJOY WHAT'S LEFT OF YOUR PREGGIES! LOTS OF LOVE xxxxx

debbie1 - 40 days ago.
ti-tell2ooo. Good luck! Wishing you an easy and fast delivery. Enjoy your little one.

ti-tell2000 - 40 days ago.
I got my cerclage removed today. Yay! It was a little uncomfortable but getting checked was worse. I did have a gush of blood but now just spotting, which is normal. Good luck to everyone behind me. In those earlier weeks I worried so much that I would never see 36 weeks and so did my doc. But here I am, still pregnant.

NonhlanhlaM - 41 days ago.
manda-may> i saw photos of you boys, i have to say time really flies, their big now shoooo, i envy you girl, Enjoy them. Haven't they started to be naughty LOL! ?

manda-may - 41 days ago.
mperez don't worry, but check with your midwife or doctor to ease your mind. Mucus by itself sounds ok, but just keep and eye out for other things like blood in the mucus or cramping/period pain that comes and goes. I say, talk to someone who knows what is going on, and put your mind at rest. Especially if this is your first pregnancy, you won't know what your body is trying to say to you. Good luck!

WorriedNanny - 42 days ago.
Thanks for the advice,prayers and support.Since my posting I am 1 1/2 away from home bedside at the specialty hospital.They have put my daughter in hospital since last Tuesday as she had thinned once again on bedrest. The good news she is now at 24 weeks =) So she can start meds to stop contractions and steroids for the baby.On here I am seeing great results and Congrats to those who have delivered healthy babies.Hopefully I will be sharing that story as well.But what a world win on the whole family.This is my first grandbaby & what a way to start..We have 4 more girls,we pray none of them have the same.One quick question ,was this genetic for anyone who has gone through this? Thanks for your prayers,please keep us in them & God willing after ultrasound tomorrow we will beable to go back home on bedrest.Thanks again

mperez - 42 days ago.
I need some advice I am 29 weeks pregnat and I had a cerglage place at 14 week my worry is that i having more discharge than ever is clear and mucusy its that normal or should I worry.

one day - 42 days ago.
Hi ladies... I just have a few questions... I am now 14weeks and I am going tmrw to get my cervix measured. Last year I mc at 14weeks and they weren't sure if its due to my blood clotting disorder or if I have ic. So my doc is taking every precautionary measure! =) Today when I went to the bathroom I wiped and saw a tiny spot of blood and clear cm. Is that ok? No cramps... I'm thinking its just some stretching goin on! To be on the safe side I am going to be lazy today! Then again I was lazy ysdy too! LOL. If I do need a cerclage how long would I need to be on bedrest? I'm going to pray that I don't need it, but if I do... Its what's best for the baby! I'm just nervous!! Thanks for any advice!!

debbie1 - 42 days ago.
blessedx4 good luck. So happy to hear the good news!! Enjoy your new little angel.

blessedx4 - 42 days ago.
I cannot believe my time is almost here, my cerclage will be removed next Thursday at 36w5days. I cannot believe I had no bedrest no complications, just a normal pregnancy. My last pregnancy was disasterous with 13 weeks of bedrest, but all ended well. All I hoped and prayed for is that I would just have a normal pregnancy so I could take care of my 2.5 years old twins. Well guess what, prayers do get answered, and miracles do happen. So for all of you out there , just remember that, anything is possible, never give up hope!!

pregnantnprayin - 43 days ago.
the count down is on !! 12 more daysssss b4 this baby is on lockdown !! cerclage gets placed on the 23 !!! i will be 11 weeks 3 days im super excited !! wish me well !!

NonhlanhlaM - 45 days ago.
charlihadley , shu i'm all in well with you and the LO now, God is great dearie all the time. Keep looking after yourseld and all will be well with the both of you! manda-may, WOOW GOOD news dear thanks for the words of ancouragement. Enjoy your bundle of Joy!

manda-may - 45 days ago.
Hi everyone. Just to let you know that I had healthy twin boys with an incompetent cervix and funnelling. I wasn't diagnosed until 26 weeks, so didn't have a cerclage (although they thought about it), but had to stop work, and they kept an eye on me. I delivered naturally (with a bit of help from the forcepts) at 34 weeks. So good luck to all you ladies out there!

charlihadley - 45 days ago.
oh my gosh....i was having sever contractions, thats why i went to the dr....they gave me a cerclage, and i was still contracting, but they gave me tons of meds to stop the contractions...and i was taking pills all day everyday for my contractions.....im sure you were probaly further dialated tha me...i was at a one, and funneling......i hate incomp cervix.....gosh..i am so sorry for your loss jbtd... :(

NonhlanhlaM - 46 days ago.
goddess27, Thanks so much sweets, we really need some cheering up!

goddess27 - 46 days ago.
hey ladies i just wanted to come and say hi and wish u all luck because i too had an i/c ..... i want to tell any of you that have had a loss ,on bed rest or just nervous to keep the faith because before long your beautiful babies will be in your arms..... i know how all of you are feeling because i went through it too including a loss of my baby boy..... after trying again i now have a beautiful son..... if anyone has any questions or just wants to vent im here .... this website helped me soo much during stressful times

elliel - 46 days ago.
worriednanny - I went through my pregnancy with other ladies on this forum and we had so many success stories - despite being told my drs that there was little hope. Is your daughter able to have internet access? If she can I would really recommend her going back through this forum history. I really found it gave me incredible strength to discover that it was possible to deliver a healthy baby even with IC.

elliel - 46 days ago.
jbtd - so sorry to hear what you have gone through. I did have an emergancy cerlauge but I wasn't contracting and I'm pretty sure it's quite rare (if ever) that they would try it if you were. We say often on here how horrific and scary IC is as it's such an invisable thing. So as much as it helps to find reasons for things....this is one that you just couldn't have prevented....however much your heart wishes it could of. I know you must still be full of sadness and I don't know if it helps at this point but I hope you will find reassurance for your next pregnancy on this site - now that you know you have IC there are so many things that can be done to prevent you suffering again.