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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ti-tell2000 - 1 days ago.
I just wanted to say good luck to everyone who is still pregnant. Everyone is doing such a great job, keep up the good work. I have posted a pic of my little one and the birth story to my profile.

momof2qtpies - 2 days ago.
I am just reporting that I officially made it to 32 weeks with cerclage placement, Progesterone inj every week and so far 22 weeks of bedrest. I am feeling very blessed, but I also am prayin that I make it to 37 weeks. I don't have much longer to go and the success stories from this site keeps me motivated and lets me know that I can make it. So Ladies keep up the good work!

debbie1 - 2 days ago.
Corrin- Wooo, 10 lbs! I hope to god that's not the case with this little man my other two were between 6.5 and 7lbs. I'm hoping not to have to be induced on the 17th but if not I'm sure I'll be glad when that day comes!! I had a funny thing happened with my doc appt. I told him that I have heard that other women are able to check their cervix and I tried to do the same and it could not reach it or maybe I wasn't sure what to feel for. He thought is was funny and got a good laugh about it. he has the biggest hands i've ever seen he has to really go high in order to reach it. Any ways thought It's worth sharing, it's not a good idea to do it yourself even at full term!

alwaysblessed - 2 days ago.
debbie1- I am still preggers!! Ii feel the same way as you, I have wanted to keep him in for so long, and now all I want to do is have him so I can hold and spoil him, haha!! At my appt. on tuesday, I had no dliation, and cervix was long and hard. It looks like I am going to have to be patient awhile longer.

corrin - 2 days ago.
debbie i was like that with my son!!! When he could finally come he wanted NOTHING to do with it!! And i had to have pitocin to get him out!!!!! Little booger....and my cervix did pretty good becaiuse he was almost 10 lbs at 38 weeks!!!!

debbie1 - 2 days ago.
always blessed - How are you? Still preggers. I'm 2.5 cm dilated and If I don't have the baby by the 17th, I'll be induced. I really hope that I don't have to wait that long to see my little man. It ironic , I spent 18 weeks on bed rest trying to keeep him in and now I praying for the opposite. LOL. I'm just grateful to be here finally.

pregnantnprayin - 2 days ago.
One day~ i am so pissed whhhyyy do we have to go through this !!! i am so sorry u lost ur precious baby. it is unfair i to lost my son at 18weeks. did u have a cerclage with this preg?

corrin - 2 days ago.
ok so had my gt..YUCK!!! Baby is measuring 1lb 10 oz...and really long....he is right on target....YAY!!! My cervix is 4cm...it was 6 at 18 weeks...doc said im expected to have contractions givin my history..bummer!!Had a ffn and it came back negative!!!!! YAY But she did an internal and im closed so thats good...but now i have to go back in 2 weeks because my fluid was on the low side..oh and i have a bumpy placenta again..not sure what that means..but i had it with my first son..and hes fine!! Oh and i also got my h1n1 today...so yeah pretty eventful day!!! Now i just sit and wait for the results of my gt!

lucyb - 3 days ago.
well i am 16 weeks and seeing my consultant today as i have been told i have an incompetent cervix after losing a baby boy at 21 weeks. I have since had a healthy baby just over a month early and didn't have a stitch - I am scared and i really hope they make a reasurring plan. my midwife didn't think I even needed to see a doctor! i will reprt back later with what was said.

one day - 3 days ago.
Sooo... Noone paid attention when my cervix was 3.1cm bc anything over 3 is good (that was at 14weeks) to make sure I stayed that way they made another appt for 16weeks and it was just 2weeks too late!! That same day I was cramping and my water broke in the hospital. NOW she's definitely going to do a cerclage very early NEXT time... And strict bedrest... Can I just say how MAD I am?!? I just want to scream!!! Don't get me wrong I love my dr but damn it...why?! This pregnancy was great! No sickness no pain! Now nothing...

corrin - 4 days ago.
ok so i have an appt omorrow to get checked out and all that good stuff. Im wondering what the outcome will be ..iveb een having contractions...not too painful but def not fun.and they dont last for more than an hour.. i also have some sharp sharp pains in my cervix....im wondering whats going on with the stitch..as this is my first stitch i dont kow what to expect or feel!! Im just hoping no bedrest and no damn pills every 4 hours!! Hopefully everything checks out ok....!!

ttc3yrs - 4 days ago.
Thanks everyone! I think I am just freaked out about everything. Now I feel better that I know you all didn't have to stay in the hospital. I just want to make sure I am receiving the most up-to-date quality of care possible for my baby's sake. Thank you so much!

corrin - 5 days ago.
after i had my cerclage at 14 weeks i stayed until the meds wore off..they didnt make me pee....i was put under..didnt have the spinal..so maybe that made it different??!!

babyinjuly09 - 5 days ago.
ttc3yrs - After I got my cerclage (at 12 weeks I think) I only had to stay until I could prove that my bladder worked. It was quite funny the first time I tried and my right side was still numb - not the best thing when you are trying to walk lol. I now have a healthy baby boy who just had his 4 month check-up. Bed rest and cerclage seem like such a distant memory. Hope all of you ladies are doing well!! Congrats to all of the new mommies - I haven't been on in quite some time.

momof2qtpies - 5 days ago.
ttc3yrs, I had a cerclage place at 11 weeks and did not have to stay 24 hours. My OB did however keep me for observation to make sure my bladder woke up after the anestetic wore off. everything was fine I didn't even have alot of bleeding post surgery.

ttc3yrs - 5 days ago.
Hi Everyone! I just had my pre-op appointment with my doc. I was suprised when she told me after the cerclage I would only stay in the recovery room until I could urinate and then be able to go home. Many websites say they monitor you for 24 hours after the cerclage is placed. If you had a cerclage - how long did they keep you to monitor you?

alwaysblessed - 6 days ago.
Thanks debbie1!! I'm so ready to meet my little man, I don't know how much longer I can wait!!

debbie1 - 6 days ago.
Ti Tell2000- Cograts! Your story is amazing, I'm so happy for you.

debbie1 - 6 days ago.
always blessed- I'm almost 37 weeks and my cerclege was removed about 6 days ago, so I'm waiting. I'm hoping soon but I was told on average 1-2 weeks after removal. Good luck.

alwaysblessed - 6 days ago.
Hi ladies! I am currently 37 weeks pregnant. I had a cerclage placed when I was 15 weeks. I am having my cerclage removed tomorrow and I was just wondering how long everyone else lasted without the cerclage? I lost a baby girl at 21 weeks in 2007, my doc was not sure if the loss was due to IC or PTL, so my cerclage was just places as a preventive measure. I would love to love to hear others stories of how long it took them to go into labor. Thanks ladies!

spurskath82 - 6 days ago.
hi all, hope everyone is well. i went to clinic this morning and consultant scanned me. baby is breech which explains why she feels like she's kicking her way out! my cervix is closed but he said there;s a small indentation which he explained is just a marker of where my cervix is. he said it's definately no funneling and wrote so in my notes! but i'm still worried. when i looked back over my diary for Dyfan i had the same thing on a scan then. it was explained then as like a mucus plug and this showed up at 16 weeks with dyfan. anyone else think i should worry? Kathxxx

NonhlanhlaM - 6 days ago.
mimi> i think you should do it again but make it a point tht you have it checked every now and again cause they do tell that it is not 100% safe and can get all sorts of infections and that...you'll get ppl like suziewin and others telling that they have beautiful LO from CL, so do it girl...

ttc3yrs - 9 days ago.
jbtd- Its hard to tell without knowing your background. For me the decision to have a cerclage placed by my doctor is based on a history of having a cone biopsy and a second trimester delivery. Here's an article that may help http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040115/practice.html Most doctors should offer you cerclage just in case it was due to IC. They could not tell me for sure why I lost my baby last year either. It was PTL versus IC for the most part, and also some other factors. But my doctor and I figure having the cerclage placed is a good way to go because studies have shown it can help.

jbtd - 9 days ago.
I have had several docs tell me I lost my baby due to preterm labor and several tell me it was because of IC. When we start trying again should I have a preventive cerclage placed once we are pregnant??? I need feedback...thank you

mimi7501 - 10 days ago.
I am new and i need some reassurance PLEASE. I lost my son at 31 weeks due to complications/incompetent cervix. Had a cerclage done at 20wks and all was well until labor pains started 31wks. It turned out that it was a bacteria that infected my baby and placenta. I am now 6wks 3days pregnant and TERRIFIED to due this again. Is there anyone out there that this has happened to and had a normal pregnancy moving forward!? I need some hope! Going tomorrow for an U/S, to start checking my cervix!