How the McDonald cerclage technique works

Anaesthesia is used, and the cervix is viewed with instruments passed through the vagina. The clinician places the suture around the outer part of the cervix while taking care to avoid the bladder, membranes and nearby tissue. Drawing the ends together narrows the cervical opening, and a knot holds the support in place. No abdominal incision is normally required for this technique.

The exact suture position, knot location and medicines used can vary with anatomy and clinical circumstances. The team checks for bleeding, contractions, membrane concerns and signs of infection before and after placement.

Follow your hospital's instructions on eating, drinking and regular medicines before anaesthesia. Arrange transport home if discharge is planned, and make sure you know how to reach maternity triage. Mild cramping and limited spotting can follow the procedure; use only pain relief approved by your pregnancy care team.

Avoid deciding your own bed-rest schedule. Instead, obtain written guidance about lifting, exercise, work, sex and travel, because advice depends on why the stitch was placed and whether symptoms continue. Attend the planned review and retain the removal plan in your maternity notes.

Urgent assessment is needed for contractions that become regular, bleeding that is heavy or increasing, fluid leaking from the vagina, fever, chills, unpleasant-smelling discharge or intense pelvic or abdominal pain. Report reduced fetal movement according to the instructions for your stage of pregnancy. These symptoms matter because labour, membrane rupture or infection may require a change in the stitch plan.

Ask where the knot will sit, what anaesthetic choices are available, how long observation is expected and which symptoms are normal immediately afterwards. Find out who will remove the suture, where removal will happen and whether your planned route of birth changes that arrangement.