The cervix is located in the lower part of the uterus and connects the uterine cavity to the vagina. The cervix consists of two parts; the upper part lies in the pelvic/abdominal cavity and the lower part is intravaginal. [1]
Cervical effacement or cervical ripening refers to the thinning and shortening of the cervix. This process occurs during labor to prepare the cervix for dilation to allow the fetus to pass through the vagina. While this is a normal, physiological process that occurs at the later end of pregnancy, it can also be induced through medications and procedures.[2]
During gestation, the cervix maintains pregnancy by increasing synthesis of various proteins. These proteins have defined interactions that allow the formation of matrix proteins to help fortify the uterine cervix.[3] Toward the end of pregnancy, a series of hormone-mediated biochemical process takes place to degrade the collagen and fiber network to cause the cervix to ripen during labor. Failure to ripen the cervix during labor may delay its onset and cause complications.[4] Current efforts to induce labor include pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, mechanical and surgical methods.
Cervical ripening has primarily been performed in the inpatient setting. Due to a variety of reasons, such as cost and patient preference, the capacity to undergo outpatient cervical ripening is being explored.[5]
Mechanism
Physiological
Prior to effacement, the cervix is like a long bottleneck, usually about four centimeters in length. Throughout pregnancy, the cervix is tightly closed and protected by a plug of mucus. Effacement is accompanied by cervical dilation. When the cervix effaces, the mucus plug is loosened and passes out of the vagina. The mucus may be tinged with blood and the passage of the mucus plug is called bloody show (or simply "show"). As effacement takes place, the cervix then shortens, or effaces, pulling up into the uterus and becoming part of the lower uterine wall.
Diagram showing an outline of the changes occurring during cervical ripening
Histologically, the cervix undergoes significant changes towards the end of gestation, allowing the ripening of cervix for the passage of birth delivery. First, there is an increase in the cervical synthesis of glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA), which increases tissue hydration, thereby catalyzing the degradation of collagen and elastin-fibers. Second, there is an increase in the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases that also act to digest components of the extracellular matrix, including proteoglycans, laminin, and fibronectin, which are found in the cervical stroma (parametrium).[7] Third, due to the nature of the cervical effacement process, enzymes and other mediators that regulate allergic and inflammatory responses are also involved.[6] One of the immunomodulating factors, mast cells, is known to secrete inflammatory mediators that modulate the process of cervical ripening through mast cell degranulation.[8]Histamine, one of the allergenic mediators released by mast cells, has shown to have causative relationship with cervical smooth muscle contractility. However, the research is not complete.[6]
Assessment and measurement
Digital pelvic exam is used to measure the width of the opening of the cervix.[9]
Bishop score
The Bishop score is the most common method of assessing the need for induction of labor. The scoring is based on a digital cervical exam and takes into consideration cervical dilation, position, effacement, consistency of the cervix and fetal station. [10]
Cervical dilation measures how dilated the cervix is in centimeters
Position refers to the position of the cervix relative to the fetal head and pelvis [10]
Effacement assesses the thinning and shortening of the cervix in comparison to the whole cervix length
Consistency of the cervix refers to the firmness of the cervix
Fetal station is the position of the fetal head relative to the pelvis
Cervical dilation, effacement and station are scored from 0 to 3. Cervical consistency and position are scored from 0 to 2. The total score ranges with a minimum of 0 and maximum of 13. A Bishop score of 6 and below indicates that induction is not favorable and no method of induction will be highly effective. In these cases, cervical ripening agents may be used. A score of 8 and above indicates induction of labor is favorable and the possibility of a vaginal delivery with induction will be similar to spontaneous labor. [10]
Cervical effacement is an important component of the Bishop score and is reported as a percentage. 0% indicates the cervix is at normal length, 50% indicates the cervix is half of the expected length and 100% effaced means the cervix is paper thin. [10]
The Bishop score has been modified in current medical practice. The modified scoring method takes into consideration only 3 parameters: dilation, effacement, and fetal station. These are scored between the range of 0 to 3 each with a score of 5 or above being favorable for induction of labor. [10]
Other methods
Given that cervical effacement is measured as a percentage, this method requires a consensus on a standard uneffaced cervix length. However, this can vary among physicians. This requirement presents itself as an opportunity for error, miscommunication and inappropriate care in the process of assessing cervical effacement. Other methods used in assessing and measuring cervical effacement may be more accurate than the Bishop score, such as the metric system of measuring the cervix. Integrating the metric system of measurement of the cervix may reduce and eliminate the risk of error and assumptions on cervical length. [11]
Imaging methods are also being considered to measure cervical effacement. Elastography measures the stiffness and ability of soft tissue and can be used to assess how the cervical tissue deforms under pressure. This cannot be assessed manually and can be a useful parameter in predicting a preterm or full term delivery. There are two methods of elastography. Static elastography measures the tissue displacement in response to manual compression or movement. Dynamic elastography measures speed of shear wave propagation. [12] Both methods can provide useful information on the stiffness of the cervix in considering induction of labor.
Contra-indications
Cervical ripening is contraindicated in pregnancies presenting with the following conditions:[13]
Less than 39 weeks of gestation, without medical indication [14]
The contraindications for cervical ripening also include those of vaginal birth.[15] Absolute contraindications can result in life-threatening events, and relative contraindications should be considered with caution. The absolute and relative contraindications to vaginal birth include, but are not limited to the following:
Labor induction poses different risks to the woman and fetus. As such, risks and complications relating to cervical effacement can be classified as being a risk to the woman or the fetus.
Risk to woman
Infection
Cervical ripening via transcervical balloon catheter can increase the risk of infection to the woman. Approximately 11% of pregnancies develop an intrapartum infection, 3% a postpartum infection and 5% a neonatal infection. Only intrapartum infection was deemed a clinically significant risk. [16]
Uterine hyperstimulation
The risk of uterine hyperstimulation as it relates to labor induction is higher with dinoprostone and vaginally administered misoprostol than it is with oxytocin and mechanical methods.[17]
Fetal risks
Autism
Oxytocin dysregulation has been linked to Autism or autism spectrum disorder. As oxytocin is one of the methods used for cervical ripening, the Committee on Obstetric Practice at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists conducted a review of existing research regarding this link, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence of a causal link between cervical effacement via oxytocin and autism/ASD. [18]
Fetal distress or hyperstimulation
Low dose oral misoprostol for the purpose of labor induction, is associated with a lower risk of fetal distress than vaginally administered misoprostol. [19]
Vaginally administered dinoprostone is associated with an increased risk of fetal hyperstimulation with or without fetal heart rate abnormalities. [17]
Cervical ripening in the outpatient setting and the inpatient setting
Inpatient and outpatient cervical ripening done via vaginally administered dinoprostone or balloon catheters in low risk pregnancies do not have different rates of caesarean section.[2] Cervical ripening using dinoprostone vaginal inserts have the same rates of neonatal morbidity, caesarean section, and labor onset when used in the outpatient setting and the inpatient setting.[20]
Oxytocin is one of the most commonly used medications for cervical effacement. It is given as an infusion to either start or increase uterine contractions. Epidurals are often used together for pain. Oxytocin may also be used in the setting of amniotomy as well as balloon catheters to further contractions in conjunction to these procedures.
Misoprostol is a medication that can cause contractions for cervical effacement. When used with balloon catheters, vaginal delivery was more likely to occur within the next 24 hours after initiation. It is known as a type of prostaglandin and available worldwide. It can also be used for early termination of pregnancy.
Also in the class of prostaglandins, dinoprostone increases contractions. It is available in both gel and vaginal insert form and while both are safe and efficacious, one study has found that in those with a bishop score of less than or equal to 4, the vaginal insert seemed to be more effective in spontaneous vaginal delivery by about 20%.
Red raspberry leaf tea is an herbal option for cervical effacement. In a retrospective observational study conducted in 1999, while there was not significant difference in time for second and third stage of labour, the "mean time in first stage of labour is also substantially lower in the raspberry leaf group". The data, however, was not proven to be statistically significant.
Warm bath is a common method used by midwives to ease labor pain and also induce labor. In a study conducted in 2019, "cervical dilation increased in all groups (p<.001), as well as the number of uterine contractions increased, mainly in the group that used combined bath and ball and also showed shorter labor time". Safety precautions should be taken to make sure that the water temperature is not too high as it can lead to fetal distress.
Balloon Catheters are catheters that can be inserted into the cervix in the setting of pregnancy to induce labor. Saline is used to inflate the balloon, causing increased pressure to the cervix. This is to imitate the pressure of a fetal head that would be pressing on the cervix during labor, which in turn speeds up the process.
Hygroscopic dilator is a dilator that is inserted into the cervix and expands in size as it absorbs genital tract moisture. They can also be used for early termination of pregnancy.
According to a study conducted in Japan from 2012-2014, the rate of delivery at term seemed to be equivalent between the group that used balloon catheter and that of the hygroscopic dilator.[26]
Amniotomy is a procedure where a hook is inserted into the amniotic membranes to puncture, causing the amniotic fluid to drain from the amniotic sac that holds the fetus. The reason for the surgical procedure could either be for cervical effacement or to look at fetal status as a device can be inserted into the amniotic sac for monitoring. The sign of successful procedure is when the amniotic fluid immediately comes out once the membrane is punctured. Certain amniotic fluid colors can indicate fetal distress, which is why it is important for the obstetrician or midwife to check the color.
Membrane stripping, otherwise known as membrane sweeping, is a procedure where the obstetrician inserts a finger into the cervix and moves in a sweeping motion to detach the amniotic membrane from the uterus. It is thought to be different from other procedures in that it is less costly compared to the other. While it may be an inexpensive procedure, it comes with its own risks. Membrane sweeping may rupture the amniotic sac for 1 out of 10 women who get this procedure done, which will then lead for the need to formally induce labor within 24 hours. Membrane sweeping can also be very painful and can cause bleeding and irregular contractions. Membrane sweeping is also not effective for 7 out of the 8 women that get this procedure done.
^Winkler M, Rath W (1999). "Changes in the cervical extracellular matrix during pregnancy and parturition". Journal of Perinatal Medicine. 27 (1): 45–60. doi:10.1515/JPM.1999.006. PMID10343934. S2CID25915432.
^McDonagh M, Skelly AC, Hermesch A, et al. Cervical Ripening in the Outpatient Setting [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2021 Mar. (Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 238.) Introduction. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK569286/
^ abcDesai NM, Tsukerman A (2023). "Vaginal Delivery". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID32644623. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
^Gommers JS, Diederen M, Wilkinson C, Turnbull D, Mol BW (November 2017). "Risk of maternal, fetal and neonatal complications associated with the use of the transcervical balloon catheter in induction of labour: A systematic review". European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. 218: 73–84. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2017.09.014. PMID28963922.
^McDonagh, Marian; Skelly, Andrea C.; Hermesch, Amy; Tilden, Ellen; Brodt, Erika D.; Dana, Tracy; Ramirez, Shaun; Fu, Rochelle; Kantner, Shelby N. (2021-03-22). Cervical Ripening in the Outpatient Setting (Report). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). doi:10.23970/ahrqepccer238.
^Triglia MT, Palamara F, Lojacono A, Prefumo F, Frusca T (2010). "A randomized controlled trial of 24-hour vaginal dinoprostone pessary compared to gel for induction of labor in term pregnancies with a Bishop score < or = 4". Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 89 (5): 651–657. doi:10.3109/00016340903575998. PMID20199360. S2CID28283910.
^Parsons M, Simpson M, Ponton T (1999). "Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: safety and efficacy". Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Journal. 12 (3): 20–25. doi:10.1016/s1031-170x(99)80008-7. PMID10754818.
Tempurung lutut Tulang tempurung lutut atau tulang lutut atau patela (patella) adalah tulang berbentuk segitiga dan tebal yang akan bersendi dengan tulang paha (femur). Fungsinya adalah membungkus dan melindungi sendi lutut. Patela termasuk ke dalam tulang sesamoid yang berkembang dari tendon otot quadriceps femoris. Osifikasi patela berlangsung pada anak berusia 3 sampai 5 tahun. Lihat pula Istilah lokasi anatomi Istilah gerakan anatomi
Gereja Katedral JakartaGereja Santa Maria Diangkat ke SurgaKatedral Jakarta di tahun 2015.LokasiJakarta Pusat, JakartaNegara IndonesiaDenominasiGereja Katolik RomaSitus webSitus web Katedral JakartaArsitekturStatusKatedral, ParokiStatus fungsionalAktifArsitekAntonius DijkmansTipe arsitekturGerejaGayaNeo gotikSpesifikasiKapasitas2.500 orangAdministrasiKeuskupanKeuskupan Agung JakartaKlerusPastorRP A. Hani Rudi Hartoko, SJ Cagar budaya IndonesiaGereja Katedral JakartaPeringkatNasionalKateg...
Former American bank This article is about a commercial bank in New York that failed in 1930. For the central bank of the United States, see Federal Reserve. For federal and other private banks in the US, see Bank of the United States (disambiguation). Crowds form outside the Bank of United States when it failed in 1931. The Bank of United States, founded by Joseph S. Marcus in 1913 at 77 Delancey Street in New York City,[1][2][3] was a New York City bank that failed i...
Historic house in Iowa, United States United States historic placeHillsideU.S. National Register of Historic PlacesU.S. Historic districtContributing propertyDavenport Register of Historic Properties No. 4[2] Show map of IowaShow map of the United StatesLocation1 Prospect Dr.Davenport, IowaCoordinates41°31′44″N 90°33′11″W / 41.52889°N 90.55306°W / 41.52889; -90.55306Built1906ArchitectClausen & ClausenArchitectural styleGeorgianCol...
القائد الاعلىمعلومات عامةصنف فرعي من قطب القيادةديكتاتورقائد أعلى البداية 1 أكتوبر 1949 الاسم الرسمي 最高领导人 (بالصينية) 领袖 (بالصينية) المنصب الأمين العام للحزب الشيوعي الصينيرئيس الحزب الشيوعي الصيني اللاحقة الشرفية رفيق شاغل المنصب شي جين بينغ(2012 – ) البلد الصين عضو في ا...
Карлуш Віла-Нова порт. Carlos Manuel Vila Nova 6-й Президент Сан-Томе і Принсіпі Нині на посадіНа посаді з 2 жовтня 2021Прем'єр-міністр Жоржі Бом ЖезушПопередник Еварісту КарвальюМіністр інфраструктури, природних ресурсів та навколишнього середовища 25 листопада 2014 — 3 грудня 2018...
1921 massacre at the Sikh Gurdwara Janam Asthan (in what is now Pakistan) This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. (November 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article includes a list of general referenc...
Sporting event delegationBahamas at the2014 Commonwealth GamesFlag of the BahamasCGF codeBAHCGABahamas Olympic CommitteeWebsitebahamasolympiccommittee.orgin Glasgow, ScotlandFlag bearer Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace[1]MedalsRanked =24th Gold 0 Silver 2 Bronze 1 Total 3 Commonwealth Games appearances (overview)195419581962196619701974197819821986199019941998200220062010201420182022 The Bahamas competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland from 23 July – 3 August 2014...
1805 treaty between the United States and Tripoli Not to be confused with the first Treaty of Tripoli, signed in 1796. Treaty of Tripoli (1805)Treaty of Peace and Amity between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary (Ottoman Empire)TypeTreaty of Peace and AmitySignedJune 4, 1805LocationTripoliEffectiveApril 12, 1806Parties United States Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary Hassan Bashaw, Dey Ottoman Empire (guarantor) LanguageArabic (original), English&#...
Notation for a polyhedron's vertex figure Icosidodecahedron Vertex figure represented as3.5.3.5 or (3.5)2 In geometry, a vertex configuration[1][2][3][4] is a shorthand notation for representing the vertex figure of a polyhedron or tiling as the sequence of faces around a vertex. For uniform polyhedra there is only one vertex type and therefore the vertex configuration fully defines the polyhedron. (Chiral polyhedra exist in mirror-image pairs with the same ver...
Sports venue in Kolkata, India This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Netaji Indoor Stadium – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor StadiumFull nameNetaji Subhash Chandra Bose Indoor StadiumLoca...
Islam menurut negara Afrika Aljazair Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Kamerun Tanjung Verde Republik Afrika Tengah Chad Komoro Republik Demokratik Kongo Republik Kongo Djibouti Mesir Guinea Khatulistiwa Eritrea Eswatini Etiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Pantai Gading Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagaskar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Maroko Mozambik Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Sao Tome dan Principe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia Somaliland Afrika Selatan ...
Gender identities other than male or female Genderqueer redirects here. For the book, see Gender Queer. ‹ The template Infobox gender and sexual identity is being considered for deletion. › Non-binaryA genderqueer pride flag in Valencia reading The future is not binary in SpanishClassificationGender identityAbbreviationsEnbyNBOther termsSynonymsGenderqueerAssociated termsAndrogynyqueerthird gendertransgendergenderfluidtwo-spirit Part of a series onLGBT topics &#...
Pour les articles homonymes, voir Chasse à l'homme (homonymie). La Chasse à l'homme Données clés Réalisation Édouard Molinaro Scénario France RocheYvon GuézelAlbert SimoninMichel DuranMichel Audiard Acteurs principaux Jean-Paul BelmondoJean-Claude BrialyFrançoise Dorléac Sociétés de production Euro International FilmFilmsonorMondex FilmsProcinex Pays de production France Italie Genre Comédie Durée 100 minutes Sortie 1964 Pour plus de détails, voir Fiche technique et Distri...
Der Titel dieses Artikels ist mehrdeutig. Zur gleichnamigen Partei im Kosovo siehe Partia Demokratike e Kosovës und zur gleichnamigen Partei in Mazedonien siehe Partia Demokratike Shqiptare. Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë Parteivorsitzender Sali BerishaEnkelejd Alibeaj Generalsekretär vakant Ehrenvorsitzender Sali Berisha[1] Gründung 12. Dezember 1990 Gründungsort Tirana Hauptsitz Tirana Jugendorganisation Forumi Rinor i Partisë Demokra...
Destroyer of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force For other ships with the same name, see Japanese destroyer Suzutsuki. JS Suzutsuki in January 2017 History Japan Name Suzutsuki (すずつき) NamesakeSuzutsuki (1942) Ordered2009 BuilderMitsubishi, Nagasaki Laid down18 May 2011 Launched17 October 2012 Commissioned12 March 2014 HomeportSasebo IdentificationDD-117 StatusActive General characteristics Class and typeAkizuki-class destroyer Displacement 5,000 tonnes standard 6,800 tonnes full loa...
2006 film by Steve Williams This article is about the 2006 animated film. For the wilds, see wilderness and the bush. For other uses, see Wild (disambiguation). The WildTheatrical release posterDirected bySteve Spaz WilliamsScreenplay by Ed Decter John J. Strauss Mark Gibson Philip Halprin Story by Mark Gibson Philip Halprin Produced by Clint Goldman Beau Flynn Starring Eddie Izzard Kiefer Sutherland Janeane Garofalo Jim Belushi Richard Kind Greg Cipes William Shatner Edited by Scott Balcerek...
Abraham Sharp Abraham Sharp (1653 – 18 Juli 1742) adalah seorang matematikawan dan astronom Inggris. Biografi Sharp lahir di Horton Hall, Little Horton, Bradford, sebagai putra dari pedagang tersohor John Sharp dan Mary (née Clarkson) Sharp dan dididik di Bradford Grammar School.[1] Sharp meninggal di Little Horton pada 1742. Ia tidak pernah menikah. Ia merupakan saudara dari kakeknya Jesse Ramsden, pembuat instrumen saintifik.[2] Kawah Sharp di Bulan mengambil nama darinya...
Untuk novel A. J. Cronin, lihat A Pocketful of Rye. Misteri Burung HitamA Pocket Full of Rye Berkas:A Pocket Full of Rye First Edition Cover 1953.jpgEdisi Inggris pertamaPengarangAgatha ChristieNegaraBritania RayaBahasaInggrisGenreNovel kriminalPenerbitCollins Crime ClubTanggal terbit9 November 1953Jenis mediaCetak (sampul keras & sampul kertas)Halaman192 (sampul keras edisi ke-1)Didahului olehAfter the Funeral Diikuti olehDestination Unknown Misteri Burung ...
