Cervical Cerclage to Prevent Preterm Delivery: What to Expect at Home
Your Recovery
Cervical cerclage (say "SER-vuh-kul ser-KLAZH") is procedure that helps keep your cervix from opening too soon. Your doctor has sewn your cervix shut to help prevent preterm labour.
For the next few days, you may have:
- Cramping.
- Spotting.
- Pain when you urinate.
Your doctor may give you instructions on when you can do your normal activities again, such as driving and going back to work.
Your doctor will usually remove the stitches from your cervix at 36 to 38 weeks, or if you go into preterm labour or show signs of infection. If you are planning to have a C-section, the stitches may be left in until you have the C-section.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.
How can you care for yourself at home?
Activity
- Rest when you feel tired.
- Ask your doctor when it is okay for you to have sex.
Medicines
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
When should you call for help?
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have severe trouble breathing.
- You have sudden, severe pain in your belly.
- You have severe vaginal bleeding.
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new pelvic pain, or the pain in your pelvis gets worse.
- You have a new discharge from your vagina.
- You have a fever.
- You have any vaginal bleeding.
- You have a sudden release of fluid from your vagina.
- You think that you are in labour.
- You have low back pain or pelvic pressure that does not go away.
- You've been having regular contractions for an hour. This means that you've had at least 8 contractions within 1 hour or at least 4 contractions within 20 minutes, even after you change your position and drink fluids.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if you have any problems.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter K835 in the search box to learn more about "Cervical Cerclage to Prevent Preterm Delivery: What to Expect at Home".
Current as of: July 10, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
