incompetent cervix?????

Question

Is incompetent cervix hereditary??? I guess an incompetent cervix is where your body cannot substain a pregnancy the whole 10 months and starts going into labor around 3-5months pregnant! well i have had 5 losses already all around 3-5 months of being pregnant i'm not too sure if that is the cause because around that time i was with my ex and he hit me..anyways my aunt also has an incompetent cervix and the only way she can carry a baby to term is if the doctor gives her a mcdonalds stich that is where you get your cervix xlosed shut at around 13 weeks pregg and they stay in until you are about 8 months pregnant!! so all i really would like to know is if it is hereditary???

Answer 1

It is not heredity, but can be caused sometimes by trauma.

Answer 2

Cervical incompetence is basically a cervix that is too weak to stay closed during a pregnancy. Therefore resulting in a preterm birth and possibly the loss of the baby, because of the shortened gestational length. It is believed that cervical incompetence is the cause of 20 - 25 % of all second trimester losses. This incompetence generally shows up in the early part of the second trimester, but possibly as late as the early third trimester.
It is generally categorized as premature opening of the cervix without labor or contractions. Diagnosis can be made either manually or with ultrasonography. The use of ultrasonography has been very helpful with the diagnosis, and is made when the cervical os (opening) is greater than 2.5 cm, or the length has shortened to less than 20 mm. Sometimes funneling is also seen, this is where the internal portion of the cervix, internal os (portion of the cervix closer to the baby) has begun to efface. The external os will be unaffected if diagnosed in time. Factors that increase the likelihood of suffering from an incompetent cervix are:


DES exposure
Cervical Trauma
Hormonal influences
Congenitally short cervix
Forced D & C
Uterine anomalies
If you are diagnosed after a second trimester loss or prior to pregnancy it is suspected that you will have problems with the strength of your cervix, a cerclage (stitching the cervix closed) can be performed prophylactically at approximately 14-16 weeks. It is said that the earlier you have the cerclage performed the more likely the pregnancy is to continue.

For diagnosis made during pregnancy, you must meet certain criteria before a cerclage can be performed. You are not eligible for the cerclage if you have:


Hyperirritability of the cervix
Your baby has already died
You are more than 4 cm dilated
Your water is broken

Answer 3

Hi there, I hope this helps. There are several reasons for an incompetent cervix:
Previous surgery on the cervix
Damage during a difficult birth
Malformed cervix or uterus from a birth defect
Previous trauma to the cervix, such as a D&C (dilation and curettage) from a termination or a miscarriage
DES (Diethylstilbestrol) exposure

An incompetent cervix is a cervix that is unable to sustain the weight of the growing baby - it opens before it should. I have looked at several webpages and not found any information claiming that it is hereditary. Look at the list and see if anything applies to you. This is definitely worth making an appointment with your OBGYN to discuss. And I very much hope you have recovered from that abusive relationship. Good luck and happiness.