« Previous Page
is the placement of stitches in the
cervix to hold it closed. In select cases, this
procedure is used to keep a weak cervix (incompetent cervix) from opening early. When a cervix opens early, it may cause
preterm labor and delivery. If you have an incompetent
cervix, your doctor may recommend cervical cerclage.
cerclage involves stitching shut the cervix, which is the outlet of the uterus.
Cerclage can be done preventively at 12 to 14 weeks before the cervix thins
out, or as an emergency measure after the cervix has thinned. It is rarely used
after 24 weeks.
Cerclage is performed using either
general anesthesia or regional anesthesia (such as
spinal injection). Usually cerclage is done through the vagina. A speculum, an
instrument with paddles shaped like spoons, is inserted into the pregnant
woman's vagina to spread the vaginal walls apart for the surgery. The surgery
can be done in different ways:
If an incompetent cervix is diagnosed later in pregnancy,
amniotic sac may begin to protrude through her cervix.
This may be treated by inserting a thin tube (catheter) through the cervix,
then inflating a bulb at the end of the catheter. Another technique involves
filling the bladder with liquid using a catheter inserted through the
urethra. The full bladder helps to push the amniotic
sac back up into the pelvis, and the cervix can then be stitched shut.
The time required for recovery depends
on the type of cerclage procedure done. Your doctor can give you
an idea of what to expect.
be given after cerclage to prevent infection.
Cervical cerclage may be done when a
Success of the cervical cerclage
procedure is defined as a pregnancy that lasts until term or close to term.
Cerclage has helped some high-risk pregnancies last longer. But
it also has risks—it can cause infection or miscarriage. For women who have had
a preterm birth because the cervix did not stay closed, cervical cerclage may
prevent another preterm birth.footnote 1
The risks of cervical cerclage are rare but can
If you have a cervical cerclage in place, talk to your
doctor about whether you can have intercourse.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
Haas DM (2011). Preterm birth, search date June 2010. BMJ Clinical Evidence. Available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
ByHealthwise StaffPrimary Medical ReviewerSarah Marshall, MD - Family MedicineSpecialist Medical ReviewerWilliam Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Current as ofMay 30, 2016
Current as of:
May 30, 2016
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
& William Gilbert, MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2016 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.