Houston Cardiovascular Associates Houston Cardiovascular Associates

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Cervical Cerclage

Surgery Overview

Cervical cerclage (say "SER-vuh-kul ser-KLAZH") is a procedure that helps keep the cervix from opening too soon before delivery.

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus. It leads to the vagina. During pregnancy, it is tightly closed to protect the baby. Normally, it doesn't open until the baby is ready to be born. Most of the time, this happens at 37 to 42 weeks. But sometimes it opens too early.

In cervical cerclage, the doctor sews the cervix shut early in the pregnancy. The stitches are removed in time for the baby to be born.

You may get medicine that makes you unconscious. Or you may get medicine that makes the cervix numb. The procedure will take less than an hour. You may go home the same day.

This procedure can help some high-risk pregnancies last longer. But it also has risks. It can cause infection or miscarriage.

What To Expect

How long it takes to recover depends on the type of cerclage procedure you had. Your doctor can give you an idea of what to expect. You may get antibiotics for infection.

Why It Is Done

Cervical cerclage may be done if you have cervical insufficiency or have a history of cervical insufficiency. This means that the cervix starts to open too early in pregnancy. You may have a history of cervical insufficiency if you:

  • Had a previous pregnancy loss in the second trimester or an early delivery that occurred with few or no contractions. This is a clue that your cervix may not stay closed during pregnancy.
  • Have a short cervix and have a history of early delivery.

How Well It Works

Success of the cervical cerclage procedure is defined as a pregnancy that lasts until term or close to term.

Cerclage can help some high-risk pregnancies last longer. For people who have had a preterm birth because the cervix did not stay closed, cervical cerclage may help prevent another preterm birth.

Risks

Problems from cervical cerclage are rare. They include:

  • Infection.
  • Damage to the cervix during the procedure.
  • Excessive blood loss.
  • Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM). This means your water breaks long before it should.
  • Preterm labor.
  • Permanent narrowing or closure of the cervix (cervical stenosis).
  • Tearing of the cervix or uterus if labor progresses with the stitches still in place.

Credits

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Top of the page

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates
6550 Fannin St.
Smith Tower, Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77030

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Houston Cardiovascular Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded HCA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary