Cervical incompetence or incompetent cervix accounts for about 15% to 20% of all cases of pregnancy losses.
When the cervix has been damaged, it loses its ability to hold the weight of the pregnancy. The cervix can get damaged or dilate without pain or contraction, or even without opening completely. The condition results from the formation of amniotic membranes at the opening if the cervix and then eventually rapture even before the infant survive outside the uterus. This reaction irritates the uterus and provokes pre-term labor.
Women with incompetent uterus may not have symptoms until their cervix begins to open at the early stage of pregnancy. You may suffer from mild discomfort for several days or weeks. Women are advised to look out for symptoms of incompetent cervix starting from week 15 to week 20 of their pregnancy. The most common symptoms of incompetent cervix include backache, sensation of pelvic pressure, and a significant change in the vaginal discharge, mild abdominal cramps, and light vaginal bleeding.
Cervical incompetence of insufficient cervix also occur when the cervical tissues are too weak contributing or causing premature birth and unhealthy or otherwise loss of pregnancy. Factors that may contribute to incompetent cervix include surgery, cervical injury, anatomic abnormalities of the cervix, and DES exposure.
Other causes of incompetent cervix include cervical cautery that results from stopping bleeding or removal of growth. Cone biopsy also contributes to the development of incompetent cervix. Prior to the early stage of pregnancy, there is no way to determine is a pregnant woman has incompetent cervix.
The diagnosis for the condition is done through medical history, ultrasound study, and physical exam. Of course, pregnancy test will be performed as well. Once the condition is diagnosed, your doctor will recommend a surgical procedure to treat the condition. The surgical procedure called ceclage involves stitching the cervix to close. Stitches are place around the cervix in order to keep in closed.
All types of ceclage are safe for the mother and baby, but mild complications may occur. This complications include infection of the amniotic sac, early rupture of the membrane, excessive cervical scar tissue, preterm labor, hemorrhage, and uterine or bladder injury. However, these complications rarely happen and the majority of ceclage procedures are not just 100% complications free, but also successful in helping the mother carry her baby until she gives birth.
Although ceclge procedure help treat the condition, not all women are eligible to go through it. If water has already ruptured, ceclage is not a solution to stopping the labor. In addition, stitches are not possible, especially if the cervix has dilated more than 4 cm or has been irritated.
Pregnant women diagnosed with incompetent cervix are required to take precautions and receive treatment for future pregnancies. You will receive parental visits and ceclage before the water membrane erupts in order for you to carry pregnancy until the term of your baby. An incompetent cervix does not correct itself over time, but the effects can be minimal if the woman knows about the condition prior to pregnancy.
