Things not to do after cervical cerclage

After cervical cerclage, avoid activities your maternity team has restricted, including vaginal intercourse or inserting anything into the vagina until they advise that it is appropriate. Follow your discharge instructions about rest, work, exercise, lifting, and travel because restrictions depend on why the stitch was placed and how your pregnancy is progressing. Do not remove, check, or adjust the stitch yourself.

A cervical cerclage is a stitch used to help support the cervix during pregnancy. Mild cramping, pelvic pressure, or light spotting can occur soon after the procedure, but symptoms should be discussed if they persist, worsen, or concern you. Keep the area clean as directed, take prescribed medicines exactly as instructed, and attend follow-up appointments so your clinician can assess your cervix and pregnancy.

Bed rest is not automatically needed for everyone, and prolonged inactivity can have downsides. Use the activity plan given to you rather than starting strict bed rest or returning quickly to strenuous activity without guidance.

Keep a record of bleeding, discharge, cramps, tightening, fluid leakage, and pain so you can describe changes accurately. Ask before resuming sex, swimming, baths, exercise, lifting, work that involves standing, or long journeys. Use sanitary pads rather than tampons if you are bleeding, unless your clinician gives different instructions. Arrange practical help with childcare or household tasks if bending, carrying, or fatigue makes them difficult.

The stitch does not prevent every cause of early labour or membrane rupture. Learn about preterm labour and keep your maternity unit's contact details accessible, including outside routine appointment hours.

Contact your maternity team promptly for regular or painful contractions, increasing pelvic pressure, heavy or bright-red bleeding, a gush or ongoing trickle of fluid, fever, chills, foul-smelling discharge, or severe or persistent abdominal or back pain. Contact them immediately if you think labour may be starting or your waters may have broken; do not wait for a scheduled visit.

If you cannot reach your maternity team and symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or accompanied by feeling faint, seek emergency care.

Ask when you may bathe, have sex, exercise, work, travel, and lift; which symptoms are expected after your procedure; who to call overnight; when follow-up is due; and what plan applies if contractions, bleeding, or fluid leakage begins. Also ask when and how the stitch is expected to be removed, since this depends on your pregnancy and clinical situation.