How to Treat an Incompetent Cervix

Being diagnosed with an incompetent cervix during pregnancy can be a very scary thing. However, treatment of the incompetent cervix is crucial for a full term pregnancy and a healthy baby. Here are some of the ways to treat the condition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Know that if you are pregnant for the first time, you may not know that you have an incompetent cervix until it is too late. Often, by the time that the signs of an incompetent cervix, such as your water breaking, are evident, it may be too late to treat. However, you can prevent problems in subsequent pregnancies.
2. Fix problems with your cervix prior to your next pregnancy. If you have a weakened cervix due to a rough labor and delivery in a prior pregnancy or due to prior cervical biopsies, surgery may be an option to correct an incompetent cervix.
3. Have surgery during pregnancy to correct an incompetent cervix. This surgical procedure, called cerclage, closes the cervix with strong sutures until it's time for labor and delivery. Your obstetrician performs the operation under anesthesia.
4. Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor. If your cervix dilates prematurely, medicines can help weaken or stop the contractions of your cervix.
5. Go on bed rest, recommended for some women, to reduce the weight and pressure on the cervix that occurs when you're standing up and moving around. The purpose of bed rest is to inhibit and slow the premature dilation of the cervix.
6. Agree to frequent ultrasounds if you have an incompetent cervix. Your doctor will likely perform frequent ultrasounds to check on the status of your cervix. Keeping on top of any changes in your cervix will allow your doctor to alter treatments immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• There are some risks associated with the cerclage, however it's considered between an 85 and 90 percent effective procedure.
• The information in this article is not meant to serve as a substitute for regular medical advice and care from your physician. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy or your baby, be sure to speak to your doctor.
• If you have an incompetent cervix, always be sure to follow all advice and instructions from your doctor. This is crucial to the survival of your baby and a healthy pregnancy.