Cervical insufficiency

An "insufficient" cervix is a weakened cervix that predisposes a woman to mid-term miscarriage or early (premature) delivery. This has also been called cervical incompetence.

figure 1

The cervix is the narrow point at the base of the uterus (fig. 1). In a healthy pregnancy, the cervix dilates or opens near the very end of the term, before labor begins. When the cervix has been weakened, it may open too early in the pregnancy, threatening miscarriage or early (premature) delivery.

Miscarriages that result from an insufficient cervix generally occur four months into the pregnancy or later. About 25% of miscarriages that occur after the 14th week of pregnancy are attributed to cervical insufficiency.

The exact cause of an insufficient or weakened cervix is unknown, though it is sometimes associated with a previous traumatic birth (during which the cervix was torn), a cone biopsy, or repeated late-term abortion. It is also associated with an abnormally developed cervix, a finding in daughters of mothers who were exposed to the drug DES (diethylstilbestrol) during their pregnancy.

How Do I Know I Have It?

If you have a history of miscarriages in the second trimester or other indicators of an insufficient cervix (such as being a "DES" daughter), talk to your doctor about your cervical health. You should also let your doctor know if you have had a surgical procedure on your cervix, such as a cone biopsy.

Generally, there are no symptoms of an insufficient cervix, so few women realize they have the condition until they miscarry. Symptoms of a miscarriage due to an insufficient cervix include abdominal pressure and feeling a "lump" in the vagina. Generally, a woman with an insufficient cervix never feels contractions.

If your doctor suspects an insufficient cervix, he or she may suggest an ultrasound to examine the thickness of your cervical tissue. The ultrasound may be performed when you are planning a pregnancy or are in the early stages of a pregnancy.

How Can I Treat It?

figure 2

If you have a history of cervical insufficiency, or if your cervix appears short on an ultrasound, you may be offered a cerclage. A cerclage is a surgical procedure that involves stitching the cervix closed with a strong thread for the full-term of the pregnancy. After having a cerclage, a woman is usually prescribed medication to prevent a surgery-related miscarriage. The stitches are removed around the ninth month of pregnancy, or sooner if labor commences, to prepare for delivery.

Cerclage (fig. 2)seem to work well – 70 to 90 percent of women who have a cerclage deliver a viable baby. However, it’s not clear how many of these women really needed a cerclage. Many women with short cervixes opt not to have surgery, and still deliver healthy babies. There are no good studies to show which women, if any, really benefit from cerclage. Be sure you talk to your doctor in detail about the risks and benefits before you make a decision about the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will I have to worry about cervical incompetence in my next pregnancy?

A: Yes. Generally, a woman who has this condition will need to take precautions in subsequent pregnancies.

Review Date: 1/16/2007
Reviewed By: Douglas A. Levine, MD, Gynecology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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