34. What is cerclage for insufficient or incompetent cervix?

To prevent preterm birth, cerclage placement may be used, generally between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy (Cunningham et al., 2013a, 2013f).

Cerclage consists of a ring or loop that encircles the incompetent cervix uteri, or a stitch into the cervix (Henry, 2016). Women with a history of recurrent midtrimester losses, or with a short cervix, or at risk for preterm labor with cervical insufficiency may benefit from cerclage.