Incompetent Cervix (Noun)
Meaning
(obstetrics) uterine cervix that becomes dilated before term and without labor often resulting in miscarriage or premature birth.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- Women diagnosed with an incompetent cervix often undergo cerclage surgery to prevent miscarriage or premature birth.
- A woman with a history of multiple second-trimester miscarriages may be suspected of having an incompetent cervix.
- The use of transvaginal ultrasound can help diagnose an incompetent cervix by measuring cervical length and observing changes in the cervix.
- Pregnant women with an incompetent cervix are usually placed on bed rest to minimize strain on the cervix.
- Rupture of the membranes is more likely to occur in pregnancies complicated by an incompetent cervix, increasing the risk of infection and other complications.