Overview
Recurrent late miscarriage is characterized by two or more consecutive miscarriages that occurred in the same gestational week during the second trimester (week 13 to week 28).
Cervical insufficiency, also known as cervical incompetence, can occur in women with weak cervical tissues. Cervical insufficiency is one of the most common causes of late miscarriages. Some women suffer from a recurrent late miscarriage if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Symptoms of Cervical Insufficiency
Cervical insufficiency usually remains undiagnosed because it is mostly asymptomatic. The symptoms are mild and appear between week 14 to week 20 of pregnancy.
Some of the symptoms include:
- An increase in pelvic pressure
- Abdominal cramps
- Backaches
- Light vaginal bleeding/spotting
- Vaginal discharge (change in volume or consistency)
Risk Factors of Cervical Insufficiency
As the symptoms are not obvious, it is essential to note the risk factors associated with cervical insufficiency or cervical incompetence.
The risk factors include:
- Cervical Trauma. Cervical traumas such as cervical tearing during vaginal birth and having done a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure.
- Congenital Conditions. Congenital conditions such as uterine abnormalities and genetic disorders can lead to the thinning and weakening of connective tissues in the cervix.
What Causes Cervical Insufficiency?
In a normal pregnancy, your cervix will start to efface (shorten) and dilate (open) when the pregnancy reaches full term. However, some pregnant women suffer from cervix insufficiency, where their cervix begins to shorten and dilate during the second trimester. Hence, the amniotic sac will protrude towards the cervix, risking a late miscarriage or preterm birth.
Diagnosis and Treatment
How Is It Diagnosed?
- B-scan ultrasonography (B-scan). B-scan is used to measure cervical length. A cervix shorter than 25 millimeters in length before the third trimester is a short cervix that requires treatment.
- Vaginal Exam. A vaginal exam can measure how much the cervix has dilated.
Who Should Do A Diagnosis Test?
- Women who had surgery, or trauma to the cervix
- Women with congenital conditions (genetic abnormalities or genetic disorders)
- Women with a history of painless cervical dilation
- Women who have had one or more late miscarriages or preterm births (before week 28)
Cervical Insufficiency Treatment (Antai Cervical Ring )
We treat cervical insufficiency or cervical incompetence with Antai Cervical Ring. The surgeons will place the Antai Cervical Ring around the cervix’s internal orifice to tighten and strengthen the cervix (neck of the womb). The Antai Cervical Ring ensures that the baby remains safe in the womb during pregnancy. The surgeon will customize the ring for each patient to ensure that it supports the cervix perfectly.
- What Is The Procedure To Place The Antai Cervical Ring?
Depending on the severity and the individual’s medical history, the Antai Cervical Ring will either be inserted vaginally (transvaginal) or through the lower abdomen (transabdominal) using small incisions. The procedure is minimally invasive.
The procedure takes about one hour, and patients are required to go under general anesthesia.
- When Should I Start The Treatment?
If you have suffered from a late miscarriage, you should immediately check if cervical insufficiency is the cause.
Ideally, you should place the Antai Cervical Ring before the next pregnancy if you are diagnosed with cervical insufficiency.
Suppose you were only diagnosed with cervical insufficiency after pregnancy, it is still possible to place the Antai Cervical Ring to secure the baby in the womb. However, it would be best to receive treatment as soon as possible before there is a high risk of miscarriage.
Antai Hospital has a proven track record of saving pregnancies with a high risk of miscarriage due to late diagnosis of cervical insufficiency.
Antai Cervical Ring Q&A
- What Is The Difference Between Antai Cervical Ring and Transvaginal or Transabdominal Cerclage?
No Stitching
No stitching of the cervix is required to secure the Antai Cervical Ring in place for both transvaginal and transabdominal procedures. Instead, our ring acts as a band that wraps securely around the cervix (neck of the womb).
Removable
As it does not involve stitching to secure the Antai Cervical Ring, patients are free to opt for a vaginal delivery. To have a vaginal delivery, the surgeon will remove the Antai Cervical ring once labor contractions begin.
Removal of the Antai Cervical Ring is not necessary for cesarean deliveries.
Positioning
Antai Cervical Ring is designed to be secured around the cervix’s internal orifice, which is high up the cervix. It is more effective than traditional vaginal cerclage that is usually placed around the mid to lower end of the cervix opening.
- Is The Antai Cervical Ring And Procedure Safe?
Yes, the Antai Cervical Ring is FDA approved and no side effects reported. Our patients can resume their daily activities on the same day. Our surgeons are highly skilled, with over a decade of experience performing this procedure. We have a 95 percent success rate in preventing late miscarriage due to cervical insufficiency.
Antai Hospital’s Commitment
Antai Hospital’s full refund policy for the miscarriage prevention treatments we provide should already be the best guarantee for a healthy pregnancy. Patients should rest assured, can and should go about their everyday life, focusing their diet on vegetables, beans, celery, and other fiber-rich foods. Besides that, an active lifestyle of yoga and swimming should also be incorporated to help relieve stress and increase blood circulation, which is beneficial for the fetus’s development and the mother’s health. With our assurance, a healthy lifestyle, and peace of mind, you can go through a healthy pregnancy with no complications.
Recurrent miscarriages are no doubt a heavy blow to the patient’s physical and mental health. All we can do is to help ease the burden and decrease your trauma, to slowly help you overcome the anxiety with the love and care that we provide at Antai Hospital.
Trust in Antai Hospital and trust in yourself, your pregnancy is our priority.