Incompetent cervix, also called insufficient cervix, refers to a medical condition in which a woman’s cervix cannot support the weight and size of the baby growing inside her. Occurring in about 1% of pregnancies, incompetent cervix must be skillful treated by medical professionals, or serious health risks could result.
Incompetent Cervix Risk Factors
There are various factors which could put a woman at an increased risk for suffering from incompetent cervix during her pregnancy. Some of the more common risk factors include:
- Previous damage to the cervix
- Previous surgeries on the cervix
- Birth or developmental defects which caused the cervix to become malformed
- History of miscarriages
- Exposure to the drug diethylstilbestrol
Symptoms Associated with Incompetent Cervix
The symptoms associated with incompetence cervix are often imperceptible until a more pronounced medical condition is identified. Unfortunately, miscarriage is sometimes one of the first signs that something is wrong.
For women whose medical histories include significant risk factors of incompetent cervix, their attending medical professionals should monitor their pregnancies closely. When necessary, their attending medical professionals should order tests, such as ultrasound and pelvic exam, in order to properly issue a diagnosis.
Complications Associated with Incompetent Cervix
When a pregnant woman suffers from incompetent cervix, it is likely that she will not be able to carry the baby to term without medical intervention. This means that, if her attending medical personnel do not accurately identify and treat the condition in time, she will likely either deliver the baby prematurely, or will suffer from a miscarriage.
Incompetent Cervix and Medical Negligence
If your attending medical professionals fail to test you for incompetent cervix, or fail to properly diagnose incompetent cervix after receiving the results of the exam, they may be putting the baby’s life at risk. Because incompetent cervix is a treatable condition, a medical error in relation to this condition could result in preventable injury or death to your baby.
If you believe that medical personnel negligently failed to test you for symptoms of an incompetent cervix, or failed to properly treat you after you had been diagnosed, you may be entitled to significant compensation for any injuries suffered. Contact a birth injury attorney today to discuss your case and learn your legal options.
