Incompetent cervix is a condition during which the cervix of a pregnant woman opens before the completion of gestational period and is mainly because of the weakness of the cervix or thinning or shortening of the cervical wall.

This condition leads to premature birth and may even leads to the loss of baby during the second trimester. When the cervix is weak then it is difficult to hold the weight of the baby, fluid and the placenta inside the womb.

This is because when the baby grows it will exert more pressure on the cervix and then the cervix dilates on its own without having any contractions of the uterus and pain.

This dilation of cervix leads to the bulging of amniotic membranes through the opening and finally ruptures the amniotic membrane and this stimulates the uterus and results to pre-term labor. Cervical incompetence is the major reason for most of the pregnancy losses in second trimester and is noticed mostly when the labor is most advanced and can’t stop.

Causes of Incompetent Cervix

Those who had a previous cervical surgery are more prone to develop cervical incompetence. Similarly women exposed to DES (diethylstilbestrol) or had a previous pregnancy with incompetent cervix, cervical anatomic abnormalities etc are also at greater risk of having incompetent cervix.

Women having a family history of incompetent cervix or shortened cervix are also at risk. Any damage to cervix due to a D&C, difficult birth, cervical cautery, cone biopsy etc may also cause this condition.

Symptoms of Cervical Incompetence

It is difficult to detect the cervical incompetence before or during the first trimester of pregnancy. usually women have silent cervical dilation that has minimal uterine contraction and is difficult to sense and this happens mainly during 16th week to 28th week of pregnancy.

When the cervical dilation are less than 4 cm, symptoms won’t be pronounced, but when it exceed to 4 cm or more then significant uterine contractions occur and may end up with the rupture of amniotic membrane.

Cervical incompetence can be diagnosed either manually or through ultrasonography. if the cervical opening is 2.5 cm or more or when the cervical length is less than 20 mm the chances for cervical incompetence are more.

If the incompetent cervix is detected earlier in pregnancy or during earlier abortions then the doctor recommends cervical cerclage which is a process of stitching the cervix and is done in between 14 to 16 weeks of pregnancy.

This stitch helps to reinforce the cervix and continue the pregnancy and is usually removed between 36 to 38 weeks of pregnancy. Cervical cerclage helps about 80 to 90% women to give birth to healthy children.

Overactive bladder is a condition that is also referred to as “urge incontinence” or “spastic bladder”. in most cases, those that are older experience complications associated with this condition. However, it could affect an individual of any age group.

Typically, the sufferer will experience an increased need to urinate when this loss of urine occurs. many individuals believe that an overactive bladder is a medical condition or a disease.

In all actuality, this is simply a symptom of an underlying condition. in this medical guide, you will learn important facts pertaining to the topic of spastic bladder.

The Causes of Urge Incontinence

Medical professionals have established that when an individual experience an overactive bladder, it is a direct result from contractions that occur in the bladder and are considered to be abnormal.

The muscles that assist in the flow and output of the urine contained within the bladder are called sphincter muscles.when an individual experiences an overactive bladder, these muscles are no longer effective when it comes to controlling the urine to be emitted from the body.

Examples of situations that could result in these contractions include the following:

• There are nerves located in the bladder walls as well as around the bladder in the body. If these nerves become damaged for one reason or another, it could result in contractions of the muscles that are considered to be abnormal.

• If there has been an injury or any type of traumatic situation involving the spinal cord, the muscles may contract abnormally.

• It has been established that there are certain types of stimuli that may result in the contraction of the muscles that surround the bladder. For example, many individuals may experience muscle contractions.Risk Factors

There are many risk factors associated with overactive bladder. while individuals from older generations suffer from this medical condition, it could affect any person of any age.

Many women that become pregnant may experience this complication. in the same respect, those that have recently given birth may suffer from a spastic bladder.

Individuals that have had certain surgeries such as those of the prostate and suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes and certain types of injuries may also suffer from overactive bladder. If you feel as if you may suffer from this condition, it is important to seek medical assistance for treatment.

When heavily pregnant Danielle Crowley started having contractions every three minutes she was convinced she was going into labour five weeks early.

But when she arrived at hospital blundering doctors and midwives checked her three times and dismissed her discomfort as kidney stones or back ache – as well as accusing the first-time mother-to-be of having a ‘low pain threshold’.

At one stage the teenager was in a toilet screaming in agony while staff ignored her and the only person who checked on her was another patient.

Fuming: Danielle Crowley, pictured holding her son Finley Porter next to partner Michael Porter, said her treatment had been outrageous

Finally, after an 18-hour ordeal, she gave birth in a side ward of the maternity unit in front of other patients and their visitors.

The student nurse has now lodged a formal complaint with Southend Hospital in Essex.

‘They made me feel like I was over-reacting and that the pain was in my head. there was no compassion or empathy,’ said Miss Crowley, 19.

‘I was told quite a few times to put my trust in them. you believe the professionals. They really let me down.’

I had a miscarriage after doctors sent me home twice

a pregnant teenager had a miscarriage on her sofa after doctors sent her home TWICE despite admitting she was losing her baby.

Traumatised Carly Cridge was left lying in a pool of blood after passing out from severe bleeding.

Ms Cridge’s partner mr Turner called 999 after she fainted from blood loss

Hours earlier the 19-year-old was told by an out of hours GP to ‘go home, take paracetamol and come back when you have had the miscarriage.’

The traumatic ordeal began on February 11 when she dashed to A&E after recognising the symptoms of a miscarriage having had one before.

But the GP at Walsall Manor Hospital, sent her home saying it was too early on in the miscarriage to admit her.

When Carly’s symptoms worsened she went to see a GP from out of hours doctor service WalDoc, who made the incredible statement.

The distraught mother-of-one passed out at home. her partner Antony Turner quickly dialled 999 and shey was rushed back to hospital.

Carly, who was 14 weeks pregnant at the time, said: ‘I’m furious as I don’t think they checked me over properly and they just kept referring me on.

‘Its outrageous. If they had done their job properly it could have been prevented and we would have a brother or sister for our son Joe.’

Miss Crowley, of Benfleet, Essex, was 35 weeks pregnant when she was taken to hospital by her partner Michael Porter, 20, an electrician, andher mother Lorraine Crowley, 51, a school nurse.

They arrived at 7pm on January 6 but instead of being put on the labour ward Miss Crowley was given an internal examination and put onto aside ward with five other expectant mothers.

‘The doctor said I was 2cm dilated but I was not in labour,’ she said.

‘They gave me pethidine but that didn’t touch the pain. I couldn’t lie down. I was pacing up and down the ward all night.

‘They said they were absolutely sure I wasn’t in labour and that the baby was lying in an awkward position or I had kidney stone.’

At 2am she was examined again and once more informed she was not about to give birth.

‘The doctor said I had a low pain threshold. I didn’t think I had because I’ve had my appendix out and coped with that,’ she added.

‘She said it must be a kidney stone or really bad back pain. I felt like she was looking down at me because I’m young and felt like I was making a fuss.’

At 7am Miss Crowley was given paracetamol by a midwife but three hours later the pain was becoming unbearable.

She said: ‘I was in the toilet screaming. my legs were shaking and I was rocking back and forwards. I felt like I needed to push and I thought that might help push the kidney stone out.

‘Another patient came and knocked on the door asking if I was okay but the midwives just ignored me. They walked past without saying anything.’

An ultra-sound scan at 11am again failed to identify what was happening and just two hours later she gave birth.

‘I was lying on the bed and I told my mum I didn’t think I could takeanymore. I felt like jumping out of a window. I felt I needed to push, Iheard a pop and my waters broke,’ she said.

‘My mum pulled the red cord and a midwife came over and said it was fine and walked off – but my mum looked down and saw the head coming outso she pulled the cord again.

‘I asked for pain relief but they said it was too late. the midwife told me not to scream.

‘Thirteen minutes later Finley was born. I was in shock. I had been told so many times I wasn’t in labour and wasn’t expecting to have a baby for another five weeks.

‘I ended up giving birth in front of five other patients, their visitors and their doctors who had come round. it was really embarrassing.’

Finley was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and weighed just 5lb 6oz. But he was perfectly healthy and was discharged with his mother two days later.

Miss Crowley said: ‘The doctors couldn’t believe it. They just kept saying “I didn’t think you were in labour”.

‘I’m angry because they didn’t monitor the baby. there was no heart-rate monitor and I’m sure it was as traumatic for him as it was for me.

‘The female doctor apologised and said she would write a letter but I’ve heard nothing from the hospital since.’

Miss Crowley has written to the hospital to complain but said she had not been put off working in the NHS herself.

‘Something like this makes you more determined to get in there and do a good job,’ she added.

A spokeswoman for Southend Hospital said: ‘We are sorry to hear of Miss Crowley’s experience.

‘We would urge her to contact the hospital’s patient advice and liaison service so we can fully investigate her concerns.’

Hello ! first of all many thanks for giving me your valuable time. I am 9 Months Pregnant lady. Could you please just let me know the clear knowledge, that how I will come to know on any particular day….that now I am about yo deliver the Baby & I should go to Doctor NOW?……will I get enough time to reach Hospital if suddenly, I feel Labor Pain ?……. Please let me know in detail what are the Main symptoms of labor pain?

First babys usually take several hours from the onset of labor pains to delivery… You will get to the hospitl in time…

Labor pains are radiating pains (contractions) they will start in your back , upper abdomine and radiate around your belly… When you feel the first few relax time them they will likely be 12-15 minutes apart and last 15-20 seconds each… Don't freak out and drive to the hospital in a mad rush you have sometime….

Go to the hospital as soon as you feel the need… it's your body and your mind listen to both… If you would feel more comfortable in the hospital go there…. Thousands of times a day women go to the hospital to find out they are not really in labor, the nurses and dr.s in labor and delivery will monitor you and let you know for sure.. they will not laugh at you they know first time moms are nervous and need to be told everything is gonna be ok…

I suggest getting a bite to eat on the way to the hospital something light but filling as you will be there a while if it's really labor and you will get hungry…

You will do fine the staff at the hospital is there to help you and put your mind at ease…

not to worrying too much because the period cos to birth it would straigh came across your lower part will feel a bit pain bothside of your vagina place it came and stop and came again and agint between that different time period almost anhour or two or less than half anhour. don't panic you have enougth time to reached hospital usually if you follow my advice here.
now is time for you to rest more then previously keep trying sit or sleep don't walk too often is danger for your baby try on rest as you didn't do before is hard but it's work to save and store up your energy for birth period. usually the baby would came so faster it slow but you will feel the special pain as you never did before.

ok. sometimes the water does not break first. mine never did. it always happened at the hospital. you will feel something like your period cramp, only much more intense. this will last a bit bit than fade. if this is followed by another, keep track of time between, than head to the doctor if the contractions start increasing in pace (please allow enough time if you live a measurable distance away from the hospital) you should get in or call your doctor as most have an after hour line. and remember, every person & pregnancy is different. my first pregnancy, I was in "real" labor for exactly 2 1/2 hours before he was born. my second, I was in for 24 hours. real labor will almost knock the air out of you and make you almost double over, you will know

let's see…i was eating cereal and walking to the kitchen when my water broke (little trickle) and then i felt my contractions becoming more frequent (like my stomach was pumping and hardening, stopping, then releasing). after a good day's worth of that i just felt like i had the period cramps from hell. whew…it was bad, trust me-you'll know.

I'm 9 months as well and this site below was GREAT! best wishes to you and Congrats!!

pregnancy-info.net/QA/answers…

It isn't like in the movies where all the sudden, "Oh my god, it's time! hurry!" no it is much calmer than that. You will (or you probably have already) had contractions. but they are not consistent. (They have no pattern) When you are in labor the contraction will last the same amount of time and there will be the same amount of time in between the contractions. You are supposed to go to the hospital when your contractions are 5 minutes apart. this means from when the first contraction starts to when the next contraction starts. (So The contraction should last 1 minute and you have 4 minutes in until the next contraction starts. They should do this over and over for about an hour.) They may get closer together but still have a pattern. (2 minute contraction and a 3 minute break.) You will have plenty of time to get to the hospital. You may even start labor 2 days before you go to the hospital. You could have contractions 10 minutes apart. If you think you may be in labor you need to call your doctor first anyway, so tell them how long they are and how long in between and they will tell you weather you are ready for the hospital or not. good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!

1. would have to be water breaking. Sensation of having to pee, but wayyy too much coming out.
2. mild pains in your lower back, lower abdomen. Comparable to menstrual cramps.
3. pains getting more intense. More frequent.
4. GO TO THE HOSPITAL!!

Relax for now and get some sleep. If you are in true labour, it will wake you up and keep you awake. otherwise it may be the Braxton-Hicks contractions, preparing for birth, but not yet.
You are going to have this baby soon, and will value any sleep you will have gotten before labour starts! good Night New Mommy!!