X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Did You Know? Your Torn Cervix Can Cause Early Labour!

3 min read
Did You Know? Your Torn Cervix Can Cause Early Labour!Did You Know? Your Torn Cervix Can Cause Early Labour!

A torn cervix can cause preterm labour, miscarriage and even breaking of water before the 37th week. Read on to know about how to identify and deal with this medical condition

Mumbai-based Mitali Patil (name changed), 27, had a vaginal birth, but her recovery was painfully slow. She bled for almost two months post-delivery and experienced much pressure and pain.

“Since I was breastfeeding, I did not ovulate for the next 14 months after the birth of my baby girl. But during this recovery period I felt that my cervix was extremely tender, especially post-sex,” she says.

When Patil visited her gynaecologist to share this problem, she found that she had a ‘torn cervix’ or what is medically called an ‘insufficient cervix.’

What is a cervix?

Cervix - Wikipedia

Image source: Wikipedia

A cervix is the narrow, tubular end of the uterus that goes into the vagina. When you are not pregnant, this cervix is slightly open at the end to allow sperms to enter the uterus and also to ease out menstrual blood.

When you are pregnant, secretions fill up the canal and form a protective mucus plug.

During a normal pregnancy, the cervix remains long, closed and firm. By the third trimester, it begins to loosen up, grows longer and dilates, to prepare for the impending pregnancy.

What is a torn cervix or insufficient cervix?

Did You Know? Your Torn Cervix Can Cause Early Labour!

Image source: iStock

If you hear the words ‘torn cervix’ or ‘insufficient cervix,’ it means that the cervix has dilated before time. In such a case, the following problems are likely to occur:

  • It can cause you to miscarry during the second trimester
  • Labour typically begins between 16 and 24 weeks
  • It can cause the water to break before 37 weeks
  • It can result in preterm delivery

Although a torn cervix does not really have a specific reason, there are certain reasons that could lead to this problem.

Causes of a torn cervix?

  • If you are pregnant with more than one baby
  • If you had a torn cervix or insufficient cervix during your previous pregnancy
  • If you have had miscarriages in the past, especially during the fourth month
  • If you have had late-term abortions
  • If you have not had a fully developed, normal cervix

While these complications may cause a torn cervix, it is usually difficult to identify this medical condition. You may have no symptoms or mild symptoms between 14 and 20 weeks. So here’s how you can spot a torn cervix:

  • Pelvic pressure
  • Lower backache
  • Premenstrual-like cramping
  • Increased vaginal discharge
  • Spotting or light bleeding

Remember that there is no way to screen a torn cervix, however, your doctor may prescribe ultrasounds or routine pregnancy scans that begin in the 16th week of pregnancy. This is to measure the length of the cervix and check if it is loose.

Treatment of a torn cervix

Did You Know? Your Torn Cervix Can Cause Early Labour!

Image source: iStock

If your doctor has suggested an ultrasound and finds that you have a torn cervix or that it is dilating, then she may advise you to some bed rest. You may also be given the following instructions:

  • You would be advised to avoid having sex
  • Your doctor may also suggest a cerclage (a cervix stitch). This is usually done for the duration of the remaining pregnancy and you may also be given a medicine for stopping miscarriage. These stitches are removed at the end of the pregnancy before the labour begins.
  • In some cases, experts also recommend progesterone medicines instead of a cerclage

If you have been recommended a cerclage, it does not mean that you will go through the same in your next pregnancy as well.

However, in any case, you must consult with your doctor to understand the basic problems and ways to deal with them, since each pregnancy is different for different women.

Partner Stories
Reducing The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: What You Should Know
Reducing The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: What You Should Know
A Life-Changing Decision Mums Might Need to Make Before Birth
A Life-Changing Decision Mums Might Need to Make Before Birth
What Medications Are Not Safe To Take During Pregnancy?
What Medications Are Not Safe To Take During Pregnancy?
Mums-to-be, nutrients for you means nutrients for two!
Mums-to-be, nutrients for you means nutrients for two!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Deepshikha Punj

  • Home
  • /
  • Pregnancy
  • /
  • Did You Know? Your Torn Cervix Can Cause Early Labour!
Share:
  • What You Don't Know Yet About Incompetent Cervix And Miscarriage

    What You Don't Know Yet About Incompetent Cervix And Miscarriage

  • Pushing During Labour Increases Chance of Vaginal Tearing by 700%!

    Pushing During Labour Increases Chance of Vaginal Tearing by 700%!

  • Will Smith Smacks Co-Actor Chris Rock After Latter Made a Joke At His Wife's Expense

    Will Smith Smacks Co-Actor Chris Rock After Latter Made a Joke At His Wife's Expense

  • Singapore Dad Shares How a Rare Disease Left His Children Bedridden and Tube-fed

    Singapore Dad Shares How a Rare Disease Left His Children Bedridden and Tube-fed

app info
get app banner
Author Image

Deepshikha Punj

Deepshikha worked as the Head of Web Content and was previously the Regional Dy. Head of Content and Partnerships Director at theAsianparent. She also worked as the Director of HerStyleAsia.com and handled content strategy and management for APAC markets.
  • What You Don't Know Yet About Incompetent Cervix And Miscarriage

    What You Don't Know Yet About Incompetent Cervix And Miscarriage

  • Pushing During Labour Increases Chance of Vaginal Tearing by 700%!

    Pushing During Labour Increases Chance of Vaginal Tearing by 700%!

  • Will Smith Smacks Co-Actor Chris Rock After Latter Made a Joke At His Wife's Expense

    Will Smith Smacks Co-Actor Chris Rock After Latter Made a Joke At His Wife's Expense

  • Singapore Dad Shares How a Rare Disease Left His Children Bedridden and Tube-fed

    Singapore Dad Shares How a Rare Disease Left His Children Bedridden and Tube-fed

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on pregnancy.