Cervical cerclage is a simple surgical procedure involving a stitch in the cervix. The intention is to prevent premature dilation of the cervix. The procedure is done when a woman has been diagnosed with a condition known as incompetent cervix. This means there is a danger of the cervix dilating prior to the end of the pregnancy.
There are a few reasons for a diagnosis of incompetent cervix. The most common reason is a history of late miscarriages. A late miscarriage is one that occurs in the second trimester of the pregnancy. Other reasons for an incompetent cervix include damage to the cervix caused by past abortions or a procedure known as a cone biopsy, often used to diagnose cervical cancer.
When a woman has a past history of second term miscarriage or incompetent cervix is diagnosed early in pregnancy, the stitch is placed between twelve and fourteen weeks into the pregnancy. In certain cases, the procedure may be done later, if there is a problem. The stitch is removed when you reach full term.
The cervical cerclage is a fairly simple and low risk procedure. Your doctor will discuss the details with you before scheduling the cerclage. You will be given some form of anesthesia before the stitch is placed. In most cases, you will spend a night in the hospital. This allows the nurses to monitor you for any signs of early labor.
After the procedure, your doctor will advise you about restrictions on activity and when you can resume your normal schedule. You can expect some restrictions on sex and rest for at least a few days. There may be other restrictions, depending on your individual circumstances, so follow your doctor’s instructions and ask questions.
If your doctor suggests cervical cerclage, don’t get too upset. The procedure is very effective. According to the March of Dimes, the effectiveness of the procedure is between 85 and 90 percent. However, the procedure will only be effective when incompetent cervix is the cause of the problems.
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