Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesRisksWhat to ExpectCerclage Removal
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Risks
What to Expect
Cerclage Removal
Cervical cerclage—a procedure that reinforces the cervix—helps prevent the cervix from opening too early in the pregnancy. A stitch is placed around the cervix during the procedure to prevent it fromdilatingand shortening. This procedure is also known as a cervical stitch.
This article discusses why a cerclage is done, whom it is for, risks, and what to expect from the procedure.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Cervical insufficiency (sometimes called an incompetent cervix) occurs when the cervix shortens and opens earlier in your pregnancy than normal. It is usually diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy. This condition affects up to 1% of pregnant people.
Cervical insufficiency can lead to:
You are at a higher risk of cervical insufficiency and may benefit from a cerclage procedure if:
For women with the risk factors for cervical insufficiency and a gradually opening cervix, your healthcare provider may recommend a cerclage procedure to help you carry to full term.
Typically, the procedure is completed before 24 weeks. For women with a history of cervical cerclages during previous pregnancies, the cerclage may be placed as early as 12 weeks.
When Is a Cervical Cerclage Not Recommended?
A cervical cerclage isn’t the best option for all women with a weakening cervix. It is not recommended for women with:
As with any procedure, you and your healthcare provider will discuss the benefits and potential risks before deciding if a cervical cerclage is right for you. Risks include:
The cervical cerclage is considered an outpatient procedure. You may need to stay at the hospital for a few hours to a few days depending on:
Plan to relax at home for at least two or three days after the procedure and to avoid strenuous activity. Gradually, you can increase your activity again following your healthcare provider’s recommendation.
How to Prepare
Your healthcare provider will discuss pain management and post-procedure care recommendations with you to help prepare you for the cervical stitch.
During the Procedure
The most common technique for this procedure is transvaginal, meaning they will place the stitch in the cervix through the opening of the vagina. If the transvaginal procedure fails, your healthcare provider may consider placing the stitch through an incision in your abdomen. An abdominal cerclage may also be placed prior to pregnancy for women with certain risk factors.
A cerclage procedure is done under general or regional anesthesia to control pain. Your practitioner will place a stitch around the cervix to keep it closed and supported.
After the Procedure
Some pregnant women experience cramping and light bleeding for a few days after the procedure. If you have any questions about symptoms after the procedure, contact your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider will give you specific recommendations for how physically active you can be and how long to wait before having sex.
After the cerclage placement, you will follow up with your healthcare provider every one to two weeks for the rest of your pregnancy.
The cerclage removal occurs between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. If you show signs of preterm labor, the cerclage will be removed earlier to reduce potential damage to the cervix.
The procedure to remove the cerclage is straightforward and often completed in your healthcare provider’s office. In some cases, the removal is done in the hospital.
A Word From Verywell
A cervical cerclage reduces the risk of early birth in women with a history of cervical insufficiency. Not all healthcare providers agree on the effectiveness of cerclage procedures, and it isn’t the best option for everyone.
If you do need a cervical cerclage for one pregnancy, you will likely need a cerclage to help you carry future pregnancies to full term. Your healthcare provider will help you figure out if a cerclage procedure is right for you.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brown R, Gagnon R, Delisle M-F, et al.Cervical insufficiency and cervical cerclage.Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2013;35(12):1115-1127. doi:10.1016/S1701-2163(15)30764-7Roman A, Suhag A, Berghella V.Overview of cervical insufficiency: diagnosis, etiologies, and risk factors.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2016;59(2):237-240. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000184Alfirevic Z, Stampalija T, Medley N.Cervical stitch (Cerclage) for preventing preterm birth in singleton pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2017(6). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008991.pub3Transvaginal cervical cerclage: evidence for perioperative management strategies.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2013;209(3):181-192. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.02.020
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brown R, Gagnon R, Delisle M-F, et al.Cervical insufficiency and cervical cerclage.Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2013;35(12):1115-1127. doi:10.1016/S1701-2163(15)30764-7Roman A, Suhag A, Berghella V.Overview of cervical insufficiency: diagnosis, etiologies, and risk factors.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2016;59(2):237-240. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000184Alfirevic Z, Stampalija T, Medley N.Cervical stitch (Cerclage) for preventing preterm birth in singleton pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2017(6). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008991.pub3Transvaginal cervical cerclage: evidence for perioperative management strategies.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2013;209(3):181-192. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.02.020
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Brown R, Gagnon R, Delisle M-F, et al.Cervical insufficiency and cervical cerclage.Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2013;35(12):1115-1127. doi:10.1016/S1701-2163(15)30764-7Roman A, Suhag A, Berghella V.Overview of cervical insufficiency: diagnosis, etiologies, and risk factors.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2016;59(2):237-240. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000184Alfirevic Z, Stampalija T, Medley N.Cervical stitch (Cerclage) for preventing preterm birth in singleton pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2017(6). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008991.pub3Transvaginal cervical cerclage: evidence for perioperative management strategies.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2013;209(3):181-192. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.02.020
Brown R, Gagnon R, Delisle M-F, et al.Cervical insufficiency and cervical cerclage.Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2013;35(12):1115-1127. doi:10.1016/S1701-2163(15)30764-7
Roman A, Suhag A, Berghella V.Overview of cervical insufficiency: diagnosis, etiologies, and risk factors.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2016;59(2):237-240. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000184
Alfirevic Z, Stampalija T, Medley N.Cervical stitch (Cerclage) for preventing preterm birth in singleton pregnancy.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2017(6). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008991.pub3
Transvaginal cervical cerclage: evidence for perioperative management strategies.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2013;209(3):181-192. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.02.020
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