Get to know the cervical tie procedure, a weak uterine solution during pregnancy

In some cases, women may experience a weak uterus during pregnancy. If not treated with proper care, this will endanger the baby because it can cause premature birth. Usually the most recommended procedure to overcome this problem is to do a cervical tie. So what is the cervical tie procedure and who needs it?

What is a cervical cerclage procedure?

A cervical tie procedure is a procedure in which the cervix is sutured closed during pregnancy to help prevent premature birth. The cervix or cervix is the part that connects the vagina with the uterus.

Before pregnancy, a normal cervix will be closed and stiff. However, as the gestational age gets closer and closer to the due date, the cervix slowly softens, shortens and dilates, allowing the baby to pass.

During pregnancy, the baby will grow and develop. This will put greater pressure on the uterus which sometimes in some women can cause the cervix to dilate for days or even weeks before the baby is ready to be born. This condition causes the uterus to become weak during pregnancy and is often referred to as cervical incompetence.

Source: Pregmed.org

It is through this procedure that the weak uterus can be overcome. This procedure will usually be recommended if your cervix is at risk of opening before the baby is ready to be born or in some cases if the cervix is slowly opening up too quickly prematurely.

This is done to keep the baby developing properly and lowering the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Cervical tie procedure or in foreign terms is called by name cervical cerclage generally done vaginally(transvaginal cervical cerclage) and in very rare cases abdominal (transabdominal cervical cerclage).

When is this cervical tie procedure needed?

Part of the procedure cervical cerclage usually done vaginally. Before this procedure begins, the doctor will perform an ultrasound (USG) to check the baby's health. In addition, the doctor will also take a sample of fluid from your cervix to check for possible infections that you are currently having.

Ideally, this procedure is performed between the 12th and 14th week of pregnancy when the cervix is known to have a risk of weakening. So that this effort is carried out as a precautionary measure.

It can also be done until the 24th week of pregnancy when the test results show that the cervix has begun to open. However, this procedure is usually avoided after the 24th week of pregnancy because of the risk of triggering premature birth and rupture of the amniotic sac.

Source: Pregmed.org

During the procedure, the doctor will insert an instrument called a speculum into the vagina and use ultrasound to see exactly which parts will be tied and sutured. After the suture procedure is complete, the doctor will usually do an ultrasound to check the condition of the baby in the womb.

Within a few days you will likely experience spotting, cramps, and pain when urinating. In addition, your doctor will ask you not to have sex for at least one week to make sure your vagina and cervix have healed from the trauma.

The doctor will also ask you to keep doing weekly or biweekly visits to check your cervix until the day of your birth. Usually, the sutures on the cervix will be removed at the 37th week of pregnancy.

Who needs a cervical tie procedure?

Usually doctors will recommend this procedure, if the mother:

Have a history of miscarriage in the second trimester related to dilation or damage to the cervix.
Diagnosed as having a weak uterus or cervical incompetence.
Have had a pregnancy (in the second trimester) and labor that occurred with few or no contractions. This usually indicates that the cervix may not close completely or not always close during pregnancy.
Have a history of trauma to the cervix such as cervical surgery or curettage.
Have had a spontaneous preterm birth. Usually this condition begins with a short cervix (less than 25 millimeters) that occurs before 24 weeks of gestation.

However, cervical tie procedures are not suitable for everyone who is at risk of preterm delivery. Doctors usually don't recommend that you take this procedure if:

Experiencing vaginal bleeding
Intrauterine infection
Multiple pregnancy
Premature rupture of the membranes, which occurs when the amniotic sac leaks or ruptures before the 37th week of pregnancy
The amniotic sac protrudes into the cervical opening

Always consult your doctor about your baby's development and your condition regularly. Don't hesitate to ask for further details when your doctor recommends you to do this procedure.