Post-cerclage care: what to know

A cerclage is a stitch placed around the cervix to help it stay closed during pregnancy. Mild cramping, pelvic pressure or light spotting can occur soon after the procedure, but symptoms should settle according to the plan given by your maternity team. The stitch does not prevent every cause of early labour, so keep contact details for your maternity unit available.

Your clinician may advise avoiding intercourse, swimming, heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a period of time. The exact advice depends on why the stitch was placed, how the procedure went and your pregnancy history. The stitch is usually discussed again later in pregnancy, including how and when it will be removed.

Rest when you need to, keep any prescribed medicines to the instructed schedule, and use sanitary pads if you need to observe spotting. Do not put anything into the vagina or change activity restrictions without checking with your maternity team. Keep antenatal appointments so they can assess symptoms, the cervix and the pregnancy.

Ask whether you should contact the unit before travelling, exercising or having sex. If your waters may have broken, avoid intercourse and seek advice straight away because the stitch may need specific management.

Contact your maternity unit promptly for fresh or increasing bleeding, watery fluid from the vagina, regular tightening or contractions, worsening pelvic or abdominal pain, fever, chills, smelly discharge, or reduced fetal movement later in pregnancy. These symptoms can signal infection, ruptured membranes or preterm labour and need assessment rather than home observation.

Ask when you can return to work, drive, exercise and have sex; which symptoms should trigger a call; how the stitch will be monitored; and what plan applies if labour or your waters breaking begins. You can read more about [Cervical Cerclage](/treatments/pregnancy-and-birth-care/cervical-cerclage/) and [Preterm Labour](/conditions/preterm-labour/).