Cervical laceration: Is it likely to recur?
When my sister delivered her first child her cervix tore, she lost a lot of blood and almost died. Does this put her at a higher risk of an incompetent cervix? What are the chances of this happening again?
I could find no statistics about the percentage of recurrence with subsequent deliveries. Texts seem to indicate that with a good repair - and if the laceration did not involve the lower uterine segment - the risk of an incompetent cervix or repeat laceration would not be great. If the suturing required a general anaesthetic and an abdominal incision, it probably involved the lower uterine segment.
Extensive damage to the cervix can also cause secondary infertility, when the crypts, which contain the rich nutrients and mucus for sperm life and transport, do not function optimally.
In a subsequent pregnancy her doctor should be alert for any signs of premature labour or precipitous labour - possible consequences of an extensive cervical laceration. Her doctor may well decide to offer the option of a Caesarean. It depends on the extent of the first tear.
I hope all goes well for her and for your family this time.
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