Cervix Question

[Rocktown Gal]

Does anyone here have a short cervix and exactly what is it? I tried googling it...but its not really saying. But question is about cerclage (getting stitched).

Is this usually done with a first pregnancy or with 2nd and later pregnancies.

Thanks.

[Chixarecute]

A relative had to have her cervix stitched for her last 2 pregnancies. I believe she had 6 pregnancies altogether, so in her case it was done in later pregnancies.. I don't know if it was because her cervix was short. She needed the stitching to keep the cervix closed, keep her from losing the baby.

[dhodge]

A Cerclage is performed when the cervix is incompetent, meaning that the cervix is too relaxed and will not allow the uterus to hold a pregnancy to term. This is usually in the case of multiple pregnancies, however, because one has had multiple pregnancies does not mean that their cervix is incompetent.
On occasion, I would imagine, that there have been cases of first pregnancies requiring cerclages.
As far as I know, most cervix are short until the pregnancy advances.
by the way I am not a physician. I am a retired surgical technician and I am speaking on what I have seen personally.
Hope the info helps.
If she has questions, I hope she will ask her physician to explain her circumstances to her.
Darlene

[Rocktown Gal]

She just came out of surgery. Just wondering what causes this as most articles I read said it was caused by multiple pregnancies, abortions, drug DES from mom during pregnancy of her or C&D's and this is her first pregnancy.

[SageLady]

Sometimes it just happens...

[oldmania]

Prior to ultrasounds, this condition was most often diagnosed following the second loss of an otherwise healthy second trimester pregnancy. In such cases it is normally due to a previously undetected birth defect in the mother affecting the shape of the uterus and cervix. The successful procedure I am familiar with is the Shirodkar circlage. This was performed at about 24 weeks and resulted in delivery of a healthy 7 lb. 9 oz. baby. Circlage was removed prior to delivery, so that vaginal delivery would be possible. Despite this, ultimately a C-section was performed.

[lynnabyrd]

For most of pregnancy, the cervix should be 3+cm long. If it starts shortening, also known as thinning or effacing, before about 36 weeks, that's a warning sign that the mom may be at risk for preterm labor/ miscarriage. So cerclage is done to keep baby where it belongs till it's ready for the outside world.

Usually it's done with 2nd pregnancies or later, but that's simply because it's not usually diagnosed until a mom has had problems with a pregnancy. With ultrasound technology, now they can identify moms with a shortening cervix BEFORE they lose that baby.

[1sttimemom]

With my 1st pregnancy I was totally effaced (or "shortened") and had to go on compete bedrest by 4 or 5 months along. I was high risk. I had pre-term labor and ended up on medication to stop the labor. I also had a few steroid injections to speed up my son's growth. The next step for me was sewing the cervix. I luckily avoided that. My water broke at 36 weeks and son was healthy 6 lb baby.

My 2nd pregnancy went a little better and I did not have the early effacement of the cervix. I did have a nasty blood clot in my leg early in the pregnancy and found I have a congenital clotting disorder. DD was born at 38 weeks, 5 lbs but very vigorous and healthy!!

[Joshie]

DD was born at 22 5/7 weeks. I learned from speaking from the other preemie mothers that their doctors told most of them that their doctors told them they'd need a cerclage if they got pregnant again.

[Bethany89]

Mine was from a cone biopsy done years ago. Some OBs would immediately do a cerclage but that means light bed rest. We monitored mine via ultrasounds every 2 weeks and it was fine the whole pregnancy.

It can be an incompetent cervix. It just needs monitored!