Preterm Labor

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 labor 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	Last Updated: January 19, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine William Gilbert, MD - Perinatology
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