Dealing with Cervical Incompetence

What exactly is Cervical Incompetence?  Cervical Incompetence, according to Wikipedia, “is a medical condition in which a pregnant woman’s cervix begins to dilate (widen) and efface (thin) before her pregnancy has reached term.”

Now that you are brought up to speed on what exactly this condition is, how can Cervical Incompetence complicate pregnancy?  It can cause a very hard labor for women.  Some women are known to get an abortion for this condition because babies are delivered prematurely due to the cervix dilating too soon.  The fibres of the womb are broken in pieces causing other major problems and health concerns.  Many women are unable to give birth to full term babies because of this condition, making it a very disheartening situation.

What causes Cervical Incompetence?  Here is what Women’s Health has to say about the causes of Cervical Incompetence:

“An incompetent cervix is thought to be due to either an inherent (congenital) weakness of the cervix tissues or a result of forced dilatation or trauma. Congenital weakness can occur unexpectedly or as a result of exposure to DES (diethylstilbestrol) before birth.”

Can Cervical Incompetence be treated and if so what are the treatments?  The answer is yes, it can be treated and through cervical cerclage.  This is where a stitch is placed high up around the cervix to attempt to keep it closed during the remainder of the pregnancy.  A latter is usually used if the stitches fail.  This involves more of an extensive surgery to prove to be successful.

Blog Sponsored By: Dr. Khazaei

Source: Women’s Health

Image: Wikimedia Commons

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