Contents:
- Medical Video: How to Fix “Low Back” Pain (INSTANTLY!)
- What is cervical cerclage?
- When is this cervical tie procedure needed?
- Who needs a cervical fastening procedure?
Medical Video: How to Fix “Low Back” Pain (INSTANTLY!)
In some cases, women may experience a weak uterus during pregnancy. If not treated with proper care this will harm the baby because it can cause premature birth. Usually the most recommended procedure to overcome this problem is to do a cervical tie. So what is the cervical binding procedure and who needs it?
What is cervical cerclage?
The cervical tie procedure is a procedure in which the cervix is closed by stitching during pregnancy to help prevent premature birth. The cervix or cervix is the part that connects the vagina to the uterus.
Before pregnancy, the normal cervix will be closed and stiff. However, as you get older and get closer to the delivery schedule, the cervix slowly softens, shortens, and widens, allowing the baby to get out.
During pregnancy the baby will grow and develop. This will make greater pressure on the uterus which sometimes in some women can cause the cervix to expand for days or even weeks before the baby is ready to be born. This condition causes the uterus to be weak during pregnancy and is often referred to as cervical incompetence.
Through this procedure the weak uterus can be overcome. This procedure will usually be recommended if your cervix is at risk of being open before the baby is ready to be born or in some cases if the cervix slowly opens too quickly before its time.
This is done to keep the baby developing properly and reduce the risk of miscarriage or premature babies. Cervical tie procedures or in foreign terms are called names cervical cerclage generally done through the vagina(transvaginal cervical cerclage) and in very rare cases through the abdomen (transabdominal cervical cerclage).
When is this cervical tie procedure needed?
Some procedures cervical cerclage usually done through the vagina. Before this procedure starts, the doctor will do an ultrasound (USG) to check the baby's health. In addition, your doctor will also take a fluid sample from your cervix to check for possible infections that you have.
Ideally, this procedure is carried out between the 12th and 14th weeks of pregnancy when the cervix is known to have a risk of weakness. So that this effort is carried out as a precaution.
This can also be done until the 24th week of pregnancy when the test results show that the cervix has begun to open. However, this procedure is usually avoided after the 24th week of pregnancy because of the risk of triggering premature birth and rupture of the amniotic sac.
During the procedure the doctor will insert a device called a speculum into the vagina and use ultrasound to see which parts will be tied and sewn. After the suture procedure is complete, the doctor will usually do an ultrasound examination to check the condition of the baby in the womb.
Within a few days you will likely experience spots, cramps, and pain when urinating. In addition, your doctor will ask you not to have sex for at least one week to make sure the vagina and cervix have recovered from trauma.
The doctor will also ask you to keep on doing weekly or biweekly visits to check your cervix until the day of birth. Usually, stitches in the cervix will be removed at the 37th week of pregnancy.
Who needs a cervical fastening procedure?
Usually the doctor will recommend this procedure, if the mother:
- Has a history of miscarriages in the second trimester related to dilation or damage to the cervix.
- Diagnosed as having a weak uterus or cervical incompetence.
- Have had a pregnancy (in the second trimester) and labor that occurs with little or no contractions. This usually indicates that the cervix may not be perfectly closed or not always closed during pregnancy.
- Have a history of trauma to the cervix such as cervical surgery or curettage.
- Have experienced spontaneous preterm birth. Usually this condition begins with a short cervix (less than 25 millimeters) that occurs before gestational age reaches 24 weeks.
However, the cervical tie procedure is not suitable for all people at risk of preterm delivery. Doctors don't usually advise you to take this procedure if:
- Having vaginal bleeding
- Intrauterine infection
- Twin pregnancy
- Early rupture of the membranes occurs when the amniotic sac is leaking or ruptured before the 37th week of pregnancy
- The amniotic sac protrudes into the cervical opening
Always consult your doctor about the development of your baby and your condition regularly. Don't hesitate to ask for further explanation when the doctor recommends you to do this procedure.
