A surgical procedure that places a stitch called a cerclage in the cervix to hold it closed during pregnancy. The cerclage is used to try to stop preterm labor as a result of an incompetent cervix or a cervix that is unable to resist the pressure of the growing pregnancy. In the most common approach, the cerclage is a stitch placed by the physician that draws the cervix closed like a drawstring. The procedure is usually performed between the 13th and 16th weeks of pregnancy; the stitch is removed at about the 37th week, allowing labor and delivery to proceed normally thereafter. It is not clear how effective the cerclage is in stopping preterm labor.
The use of ligatures around the cervix uteri to treat cervical incompetence during pregnancy. This has been used to prevent spontaneous abortion, although its efficacy is uncertain.
In situations where the cervix begins to dilate prematurely during pregnancy, hindering the delivery of a healthy baby, a technique is employed wherein the cervix is sutured closed.