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Step 1
Understand that there are usually no symptoms of an incompetent cervix. In most cases an incompetent cervix is not diagnosed until after the woman has miscarried or prematurely delivered her baby.
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Step 2
Discuss your medical history with your doctor. There are several things that indicate an incompetent cervix, including previous second trimester losses, prior biopsies of the cervix, and cervical or uterine abnormalities. If your physician is aware of these, she should look for an incompetent cervix during your current pregnancy.
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Step 3
Allow your physician to determine if your cervix is opening up or dilating through either a pelvic exam or an ultrasound. In cases of a suspected incompetent cervix, repeated exams or ultrasounds may be required during the second trimester of pregnancy, and if the cervix is dilated more than 2.5 cm, the doctor might make a diagnosis of incompetent cervix.
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Step 4
Permit your physician to check the length of your cervix via a vaginal ultrasound. If it is less than 20 mm in the second trimester, an incompetent cervix may be the cause.
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Step 5
Consent for your physician to check the funneling of your cervix. The funneling of the cervix is the thinning out (effacement) of the part of the cervix closest to the baby. This is accomplished through a vaginal ultrasound. Funneling of the cervix may be due to an incompetent cervix.
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Step 6
Talk to your doctor about his observations of your cervix. If you are diagnosed with an incompetent cervix, discuss treatment options with your physician.
