Pregnancy is a critical phase in every woman’s life, and proper care is essential for the safety and well-being of both the infant and the mother.

However, recent studies suggest that pregnant women may be subject to unnecessary cervical treatments that can interfere with pregnancies and lead to dire consequences. In this article, we explore the different cervical treatments and their impact, highlighting the risks of unnecessary procedures during pregnancy.

What are Cervical Treatments?

Cervical treatments refer to a range of procedures that medical practitioners perform on a woman’s cervix. The aim of these methods is to prepare the cervix for delivery or to treat conditions that may cause complications during pregnancy.

Some of the most common cervical treatments include:.

Cervical Cerclage
Cervical Mucus Testing
Induction of Labor
Cervical Ripening

Cervical Cerclage

Cervical cerclage refers to a procedure where a medical practitioner stitches the cervix shut to prevent early delivery or miscarriage.

This treatment is only necessary in women who have a history of incompetent cervixes or have undergone a prophylactic cerclage procedure in previous pregnancies. However, some doctors still recommend cervical cerclage as a preventative measure for high-risk pregnancies where it may be entirely unnecessary.

The procedure involves a medical practitioner who puts a suture around the cervix to keep it closed. The suture remains until around 36 to 38 weeks of pregnancy, at which point the doctor will remove it to allow for vaginal delivery.

While cervical cerclage can be beneficial in some cases, studies show that it can also lead to complications such as premature rupture of membranes, cervical lacerations, and infection.

Therefore, doctors should only recommend cervical cerclage when necessary and explain the potential risk to women.

Cervical Mucus Testing

Cervical mucus testing is a standard routine in fertility treatments. It involves tracking cervical mucus changes throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle to predict ovulation.

However, some practitioners have adopted this procedure in pregnancy to test for bacterial vaginosis (BV) or sexually transmitted infections (STI). The cervix naturally produces more mucus during pregnancy, making mucus testing during pregnancy unpredictable, unreliable, and unnecessary.

Besides, BV or STI may not cause any harm to the woman or fetus, making cervical mucus testing an unnecessary intervention.

Induction of Labor

Induction of labor is the process of deliberately starting labor by using medication or other interventions. Doctors will only induce labor when necessary, such as when the fetus’s health is at risk, or the pregnancy goes beyond the due date.

However, some medical practitioners have been known to induce labor unnecessarily due to convenience or preference, putting the mother and the infant at risk.

Unnecessary induction of labor can lead to early delivery, which can cause complications such as fetal distress, prolonged labor, postpartum hemorrhage, and perinatal death.

Cervical Ripening

Cervical ripening refers to the softening and enlargement of the cervix to prepare for labor. While it is necessary for some women, it can be harmful and unnecessary for others, especially if there is a lack of indication for cervical ripening.

Cervical ripening is often achieved through the use of medication or natural, mechanical methods, such as a balloon catheter or laminaria.

However, the process is not always effective and can cause complications such as ruptured membranes, uterine hyperstimulation, and fetal distress.

Why are Unnecessary Cervical Treatments a Concern?

Unnecessary cervical treatments during pregnancy can lead to various complications and risks. For example:.

Infection
Breastfeeding problems
Decreased blood oxygen levels in the fetus
Induced premature labor
Increased risk of cesarean delivery
Increased risk of infant admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Moreover, these interventions can have psychological implications on the mother, causing unnecessary anxiety and stress.

The Importance of only necessary Cervical Treatments

It is crucial that medical practitioners only recommend cervical treatments when necessary and in consultation with their patients.

Pregnant women should also be informed about the risks and benefits of each procedure before consenting to any treatment.

Women should also seek second opinions if they receive a recommendation that makes them uncomfortable or unsure, and they should ask their doctor to explain their reasoning behind every procedure.

Conclusion

Cervical treatments during pregnancy can be beneficial in some cases, but they can lead to various complications and risks if administered unnecessarily.

Women should work with their doctors to make informed decisions about recommended treatments and ensure that they fully understand the potential benefits and risks.