Cervical Cerclage

Cervical cerclage is a well‐known surgical procedure carried out during pregnancy under anesthesia. The aim is to give mechanical support to the cervix and thereby reduce the risk of preterm birth.

Transvaginal cerclage is the most common method. Trans-abdominal cerclage is performed through an incision in the abdomen and is usually done only if transvaginal cerclage is not possible.

It involves the positioning of a stitch with a non-absorbable suture around the opening of the womb known as the cervix.

It is usually done between 12 and 24 weeks of pregnancy although occasionally it may be done at later stages in pregnancy.

Typically, the cerclage is removed around the 37th week of pregnancy.