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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due oct 2009 - 72 days ago.
update: went to drs appointment today i have gained 4 more pounds. I am 35 weeks and 5 days. For a total of 31 pounds all together ya!!! Drs didn't remove my stitch today as planned. but i am sheduled to have it removed next thursdatyfor sure at the hosptial. I am so happy i have made it this far. I have gained more weight this time than with my other two pregnancy which is a good thing.

debbie1 - 72 days ago.
Mama2b-I would not do any kind of self exam (and I don't think I would even know what to do, I know that sounds silly) because my docs only do speculum check and do not touch my cervix at all. The reason for that is it can do more harm than good. Is there a reason you did this? Just call your doc if you suspect anything is going on. IF you're really nervous then go to your hospital triage.

Mama2B 01-10-10 - 72 days ago.
I got a second opinion from another hospital and was told again not to worry, but to keep an eye out for changes. So for the time being, I guess I can stop freaking out. I would still love to hear what you guys have to say since you all know personally what to watch out for.

Mama2B 01-10-10 - 72 days ago.
I am 22w4d and I discovered yesterday that I can fit a fingertip (did not try more) into my cervix. I called a nurse and she told me I have nothing to worry about as I am not having other unusual symptoms like dishcarge. Should I ask for an exam, or is it ok to be dilated 1 cm? Please help, I don't wanna wait too long but don't wanna be a hypochondriac!

debbie1 - 72 days ago.
Elliel-Thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes that worries me that he's relaxed. I'm having the 1st of the shot in about 2 hours. Any advice ladies what I can expect.

elliel - 72 days ago.
SPURS - I had that too later on when I wasn't bleeding visably. The nurse casually mentioned it when she did the dip thing in my urine sample and I was so scared by the time I actually saw the dr. He wasn't even that worried. He tested me for a urine infection but it came up clear.As you say very scary and I was convinced that it would turn into something horrible but it never did MOMOFQTPIES- you will find that the vast majority of ladies on this site have had cervix that have got shorter so try not to panic. Mine got down to 11mm at one point after my stitch (I think I was about 24 weeks) but with my legs raised on strict bedrest (at home) it went upto 25mm one week later! So it can actually get longer. I had never heard of that happening until it happened to me...and then a few other ladies found the same on this site. DEBBIE -that's great that your dr is so positive. I tend to find drs are usually negative so the fact that he thinks you can get so far is a great sign. KJS - OH MY GOODNESS - nearly there! MPERERZ - my LO loved kicking my cervix. It was a nightmare! she didn't stop doing it until she turned round. I couldn't believe how much she used to do it - seems funny to me now looking back at it...but at the time it terrified me!

kjslover - 73 days ago.
charlihadley: none of that stuff is working!!! I'm losing my mind! LOL

charlihadley - 73 days ago.
kjslover, go have sex lol...thsn go for a run lol

charlihadley - 73 days ago.
dr aould not let me off bed rest till the day stitch was removed...he didnt want stitch to tear....then ater stitch was gone...i could do whtever!

kjslover - 73 days ago.
I know! And now I'm kicking myself fot not rememebering to ask about stripping my membranes! She probably would have just said no anyway so I guess it's for the best LOL

debbie1 - 73 days ago.
kjslover-sooo close!!

kjslover - 73 days ago.
3cm dilated and 70% effaced Yay!! Hopefully not much longer!

debbie1 - 74 days ago.
Adrian03- I was told that it can cause an increase in blood sugar. I was borderline that's why they want me to have the 3 hour screaning. My docs peri thinks the steriods will diff affect the test.I've been on tributaline now for about 6 weeks so perhaps that's a little different than a few days? I'm really not sure. Plus I've heard that it does not give you GB it only affects you if you're borderline. Just eat a low carb lite meal like eggs and you'll be ok.

adriana03 - 74 days ago.
for you ladies that have been on bedrest. Do the doctors let you off bedrest before the 37 week mark? or do you have to wait until your full term to get up

adriana03 - 74 days ago.
debbie1> does the terbutaline really give you a false reading on your glucose?? ive been on it for a couple of days and i have mine scheduled for thursday. i hope i dont have to do the 3hr.

Mrs R - 74 days ago.
momofqtpies - the panic you are feeling is so normal but just try and not let it consume you. I let it get the best of me a few times and it just stressed me out to no end. I tried to keep busy by playing a ton of sudoku, online games, reading, tv, and anything that kept my brain from going to the dark side. Hang in there and make sure to celebrate each day your baby stays in your belly - I'll be thinking lots of good thoughts for you :)

debbie1 - 74 days ago.
i just came back from my Peri- He never seems worried which is good, I guess...My cevix is about 1cm and is funneling more than 2 weeks ago. He prescribed the steroids shots for me, but he still thinks I'll get to 36 weeks or so he said. I'm pretty strict with my bedrest so I'm not sure what else I can do. Also my glucose test came back slightly out of the normal range, but he would like me to hold off on the 3 hour screaning because he thinks the steroids and the trebutalne will give a false positive. Boy, It's been a challanging day!! On the bright side my little guy weighs 2lbs 13 oz.

momofqtpies - 75 days ago.
MPerez, I also noticed a pinching feeling, but I only feel it when the baby kicks. You should mention it to your doctor, but it doesn't sound like anything to worry about. Make sure you watch out for spotting and pressure too!

momofqtpies - 75 days ago.
Thanks Mrs R, That really encourages me alot! I think I was starting to have a panick attack because I have been so worried I'm not going to make it anywhere near full term. But this information gives me alot of hope.

mperez - 75 days ago.
It feels like kicking it comes and goes. I had the pain for a week know.

Mrs R - 75 days ago.
mperez - I did notice a pinching like feeling up in my vagina every once in a while. It almost felt like the baby was kicking my cervix. Keep an eye on it for any bleeding and talk to your doctor about any discomfort you may have just to be on the safe side.

Mrs R - 75 days ago.
momofqtpies I had a cerclage placed at around 12 wks and had a cervical length of about 3.5cm, then at about 24 weeks my cervix shorten to 1.5cm, when I was put on bedrest. I stayed at 1.5cm up until about 34 weeks when they stopped measuring. I am now about 38wks 3 days and still preggors (had my cerclage removed 3 days ago). Hang in there and stick with the bedrest - it can do wonders!

momofqtpies - 75 days ago.
MPerez, I also have a cerclage and so far I haven't noticed any pain, Does your pain feel like cramping or something else altogether and how long have you had this pain?

mperez - 75 days ago.
Hi i have a question I am 24 week pregnant with a cerglage did any of you have pain on your vaginal area. I don't know if is the baby kicking or contraction. please help.

momofqtpies - 75 days ago.
Hi, I am new to this site. I have been diagnosed with IC and placed on bedrest with a cerclage. I am currently 23+5wks and was wondering is it normal for your cervix to shorten a little during the pregnancy?