CERVICAL INCOMPETENCE

Course overview

CERVICAL INSUFFICIENCY IS THE INABILITY OF THE CERVIX TO RETAIN FETUS, IN THE ABSENCE OF UTERINE CONTRACTIONS OR LABOR (PAINLESS CERVICAL DILATATION), OWING TO A FUNCTIONAL OR STRUCTURAL DEFECT. IT IS CERVICAL RIPENING THAT OCCURS FAR FROM THE TERM. CERVICAL INSUFFICIENCY IS RARELY A DISTINCT AND WELL DEFINED CLINICAL ENTITY BUT ONLY PART OF A LARGE AND MORE COMPLEX SPONTANEOUS PRETERM BIRTH SYNDROME. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CAUSE AND PRESENTATION OF CERVICAL INCOMPETENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.