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When the Cervix opens prematurely, take a look!

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This may or may not be a case of premature cervical opening, but it's a case of the cervix dilated so that we see membranes bulging out of the cervix. If this happens at term, we're excited, labor is progressing. If it happens remote from term, it can be a problem. It can mean that the cervix is weak, and there are treatments that can save the baby, but action would have to be taken promptly. Cervical incompetence can come on very suddenly in pregnancy, with the only sign being subtle. There are some surgeries and some genetic predispositions that might make you more at risk. Prior to pregnancy make the cervix a discussion with your gyno! Women who become pregnant and have risk factors for this condition may need ultrasounds with cervical length measurements more frequently to measure the cervix and to check it's shape as well. If the cervix is getting short, or changing it's shape, or showing signs of opening, there are possible treatments, such as the use of vaginal progesterone, bed rest, stopping sex, and the use of pessaries. Whether any of these treatments would work for you ,that has to be discussed with your personal gyno.
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  1. AnonymousMarch 21, 2013 at 10:38 PM

    maybe a strong pelvic floor could prevent this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousMarch 25, 2013 at 6:20 PM

      The pelvic floor keeps the cervix in but has nothing to do with dilation.

      Delete
    2. Gyno GabMarch 28, 2013 at 7:41 PM

      Cervical tissue is made up of a combination of muscle and collagen, as are the slings that make up the pelvic floor. Although it would be postulated that weaknesses in one area mean weaknesses in other areas, this has not actually been confirmed by research. But it is generally true that the pelvic muscles contain the uterus and it's cervix, but then have nothing directly to do with the cervix opening and dilating.

      Delete
  2. Beth March 21, 2013 at 10:55 PM

    I actually have a unicornuate uterus (half of a normal size) and my first baby was born prematurely due to my cervix opening early, by baby's membranes leaking and eventually rupturing. We didn't know prior to her birth about my anomaly but suffice it to say we have had so many more cervical measurements in subsequent pregnancies!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dr. Suzanne TrupinMarch 22, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    The uterus is normally egg shaped, and it is formed in fetal life from tissue that merges from each side of the pelvis. Thus, some women can be born with various different shapes and sizes. Women with an abnormal shap may indeed also have an abnormal cervix and be at risk for preterm labor and preterm cervical incompetance. Measuring the length and shape of the cervix during pregnancy can improve detection of increased risk and newly we have also begun to use vaginal progesterone to treat some of these conditions. Thanks for writing and good luck in your future pregnancies.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Andrea Hilborn, NDMarch 22, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    Neat picture. Imagine the weight of a whole baby on that little muscle. That's a lot of responsibility!

    ReplyDelete

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