Cervical stitch or suture

A stitch to help keep the cervix closed and long during pregnancy might be recommended if you have had a late miscarriage or premature labour in the past

If there’s a risk of premature labour (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or late miscarriage (from 12 to 24 weeks of pregnancy), you may be recommended to have a cervical stitch or suture (also called cervical cerclage).

A cervical cerclage is a stitch which is put around the cervix, which is the area connecting the uterus (womb) to the vagina; it’s sometimes called the ‘neck’ of the womb. The stitch should give some extra support to the cervix

A cervical stitch may be an option

  • If you've gone into labour early or had a late miscarriage in a previous pregnancy, talk to your doctor about whether a stitch might help
  • If a cervical stitch is recommended, ask your doctor what you should expect when the stitch is in place, who to contact if you have questions or concerns and what to do if you think labour is starting
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