Anatom3D
ENCZDE
Download

Cervical insufficiency

Insufficientia cervicis uteri · Insuficience děložního hrdla

female only

What it is

The cervix opens silently in mid-pregnancy without contractions, causing a late miscarriage or a very early birth.

Symptoms & signs

  • Often none until it is advanced
  • pelvic pressure
  • more watery discharge
  • light bleeding
  • loss of a pregnancy between 14 and 24 weeks

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Waters breaking or a gush of fluid
  • call 112 / 911 now Bleeding or cramping in mid-pregnancy
  • see a doctor soon Feeling of pressure or fullness in the vagina
  • see a doctor soon New watery or mucous discharge in mid-pregnancy

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Cervical length scans from 16 weeks in women at risk
  • vaginal progesterone for a short cervix
  • cervical stitch (cerclage), vaginal or abdominal
  • rescue cerclage when the cervix is already open

Natural & lifestyle

  • Avoid heavy lifting if advised
  • stop smoking
  • book early after a previous late loss

Emerging & experimental

  • Cervical pessary (Arabin)
  • imaging of cervical stiffness (elastography)

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Bed rest — tested; it does not prevent early birth not confirmed in trials
  • Herbal womb 'strengtheners' — traditional; untested anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes