Preterm Labour

Surgery

Surgery is rarely done to prevent preterm birth.

Cervical cerclage is the placement of stitches in the cervix to hold it closed during pregnancy. It is rarely done. It is meant to stop an incompetent cervix from opening early (which could lead to miscarriage or preterm birth).

Surgery Choices

Cervical cerclage (placement of stitches in the cervix to hold it closed, with the intention of preventing preterm labour and delivery)

What To Think About

Cerclage has helped some high-risk pregnancies last longer, but it also has risks—it can cause infection or miscarriage. Studies suggest that cerclage makes twin pregnancies more likely to deliver early. Experts do not yet know when cerclage is most likely to work and when it isn't.¹⁴

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW Carrie Henley	Last Updated: April 10, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Gregory A L Davies, MD, FRCSC, FACOG - Maternal-Fetal Medicine William Gilbert, MD - Perinatology
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