The cervix is the lower end of the uterus in the female reproductive system. The portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina is the cervix.
The cervix is usually firm and closed before pregnancy. The cervix softens, shortens, and dilates (opens) during pregnancy to encourage you to give birth. When the cervix opens too early and quietly during pregnancy, an incompetent cervix occurs.
What causes an incompetent cervix?
Incompetent cervix is also known as cervical insufficiency. It may cause problems such as miscarriage and premature birth (a fetus that dies before birth) (a baby born before organs are fully developed). There is an ineffective cervix in around 1 in 100 pregnancies.
What causes an incompetent cervix?
An incompetent cervix can be affected by many factors. Included are:
abnormally developed cervix or uterus.
Previous procedures on the cervix.
short cervix.
Damaged womb from past miscarriage or childbirth.
Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic (human-made) hormone administered in the past to certain women to help them get pregnant successfully.
There are no signs or symptoms of an ineffective cervix. After a miscarriage in the second trimester of pregnancy, doctors diagnose most instances.
If you have prior miscarriages or risk factors for the disease, your doctor will check your cervix closely during your pregnancy. This monitoring requires a procedure called a transvaginal ultrasound (an ultrasound inserted into the vagina using a wand) that helps the doctor to see the cervix.
How is incompetent cervix managed or treated?
A procedure called a cerclage is the most common treatment for an incompetent cervix. To make it stronger, the doctor can sew a stitch around the compromised cervix. It will make your pregnancy last longer with this encouragement.
Cerclage is typically done by physicians at 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Usually, the stitches are removed during week 37. If you are pregnant with twins or multiples, doctors do not use a cerclage. Research indicates little increase in the likelihood of preterm delivery when mothers carrying more than one baby are given this care by doctors.
Doctors often notice an incompetent cervix or cervix that has dilated considerably late in pregnancy. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy in these situations.
What are the associated complications of an incompetent cervix?
Complications such as miscarriage and premature birth may result from an incompetent cervix. A cerclage can, in rare cases, involve complications including:
Rupture of the uterus (sudden bursting).
Bleeding internally.
Laceration on the cervix (cut or tear).
With infection.
Should we avoid an incompetent cervix?
An ineffective cervix cannot be stopped by anyone, although treatment generally works well.
What are the risk factors for cervix incompetence?
Incompetent cervix women who are at greater risk include those who have:
A cervix or uterus that has abnormally developed.
In the second trimester of pregnancy, he experienced premature birth or miscarriage.
Injured the uterus or cervix during pregnancy or childbirth.
Had cervical surgery in the past.
Exposed to DES.
In certain cases, the probability of developing an incompetent cervix may be enhanced by a genetic condition or disease. The genetic Disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can cause structural cervical weakness which can lead to cervical insufficiency.