women s health issues
Cervical Insufficiency
Introduction
Cervical insufficiency is painless opening of the cervix that results in delivery of the baby during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Connective tissue disorders that are present at birth and injuries can make tissues of the cervix weak. When the cervix is weak, the baby may be delivered too early. Cervical insufficiency is identified only after a woman becomes pregnant. To prevent early delivery, doctors may stitch the cervix closed (cerclage). Pregnancy complications, such as cervical insufficiency, are problems that occur only during pregnancy. They may affect the woman, the fetus, or both and may occur at different times during the pregnancy. Normally, the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) opens (dilates) only when labor starts, in response to contractions of the uterus. However, in some women, tissues of the cervix are weak. As a result, the cervix may open (dilate) long before the baby is due, and the baby may be delivered too early. Cervical insufficiency is estimated to affect one of 100 to 2,000 women. If a woman has cervical insufficiency in one pregnancy, she is likely to have it in future pregnancies. 