Surgical Procedures for Preterm Labor and Delivery - Reston Hospital Center | Reston, VA
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Surgical Procedures for Preterm Labor and Delivery

In rare cases, preterm labor is due to inadequate connective tissue in the cervix, which allows the cervix to open too early. One option to treat this weak tissue is cervical cerclage. In this procedure, your doctor stitches a band of strong thread around your cervix to help hold it closed. You will be given anesthesia to numb the area or to put you asleep during this procedure. The band is removed at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy to allow for normal delivery.

References

Cervical cerclage. Maternal and Infant Care Clinic. University of Washington Medical Center website. Available at: http://depts.washington.edu/dippweb/micc-cervcerc.pdf . Accessed September 26, 2005.

Drakeley AJ, Robetrts D, Alfirevic Z; Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group. Cervical stitch (cerclage) for preventing pregnancy loss in women. The Cochrane Database and Systematic Review. 2010;(2).

Preterm labor. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: http://www.acog.org/ . Accessed June 1, 2009.

Premature birth. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=DB81ABF4-378D-453B-AFD7BF32AD6F01E7&dsection=1 . Accessed September 26, 2005.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: Andrea Chisholm
  • Review Date: 09/2012 -
  • Update Date: 00/92/2012 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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