An incompetent cervix, or cervical insufficiency, is a condition where your cervix weakens and dilates prematurely during pregnancy. It happens to about 1 in 100 pregnant women, and it can lead to preterm birth or miscarriage.
Cervical insufficiency can be a distressing diagnosis — but it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have a healthy pregnancy.
Farly Sejour, MD, Natalie Gould, WHNP-BC, and our team at Solace Women’s Care specialize in high-risk obstetrics in Conroe, Texas. With proper diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, it’s possible to have a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Your cervix is the lower part of your uterus, and it opens into your vagina. During pregnancy, it remains closed and firm to hold your developing baby inside your uterus. During labor, your cervix softens and opens to allow your baby to pass through.
An incompetent cervix, however, may start to open too early. It usually happens in the second trimester without any contractions or pain. Several factors can contribute to cervical insufficiency, including:
Premature cervical opening can lead to the loss of the pregnancy or preterm birth. Preterm birth can increase a baby’s risk of complications, like respiratory issues, developmental delays, and other health problems.
When you have cervical insufficiency, your cervix starts to open without contractions. However, a few signs to watch for include:
Be sure to report any persistent pain, vaginal bleeding, or other symptoms that you’re worried about, so we can investigate the cause.
If you’re diagnosed with an incompetent cervix, it doesn’t mean you can’t go on to have a healthy pregnancy. Dr. Sejour and our team offer comprehensive prenatal care to manage the condition and lower your risk of complications.
We monitor you closely, through frequent ultrasounds or other tests to help detect early signs of cervical changes. Depending on your needs, we may also recommend:
Cervical cerclage is a surgical procedure where we stitch your cervix closed to prevent it from opening prematurely. We usually place the stitch during your second trimester and remove it before delivery.
This is one of the best treatment options, and we often recommend it for women who have a history of cervical insufficiency or are showing signs of premature cervical dilation.
Progesterone is a hormone that helps maintain pregnancy. If you’re at risk of preterm birth due to an incompetent cervix, we may prescribe progesterone injections or vaginal suppositories to help strengthen your cervix.
In some cases, we might recommend bed rest or reduced physical activity to relieve extra pressure on your cervix. Avoiding heavy lifting and prolonged standing can also help. A pessary may also be an option for some women. It’s a silicone device inserted into your vagina to help support your cervix.
An incompetent cervix makes a pregnancy high-risk, but proactive management lowers your risk to keep you and your baby healthier. Learn more and get a personalized care plan that supports your pregnancy at Solace Women’s Care. Call us at 936-441-7100 or send us a message online now.
