Term delivery of a heterotopic pregnancy coexisting with ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy: A case report

Pregnancies that occur in two different implantation sites simultaneously is described as Heterotopic pregnancy (HP). In the current study, a case of term delivery of a heterotopic pregnancy coexisting with ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy, diagnosed by ultrasound (US) and clinical examination findings, which was managed successfully. A 25 year old Nigerian female, gravida 4, para 2 (2 term gestation, 1 spontaneous abortion) presented at the Emergency room with acute abdominal pain associated with vomiting. She had 8 weeks amenorrhea and a positive pregnancy test three weeks prior to presentation. Transvaginal ultrasound scan revealed a sixweeks viable intrauterine gestation. A diagnosis of possible ectopic pregnancy was made. Further trans-abdominal ultrasonography imaging revealed viable intrauterine pregnancy with evidence of an echogenic mass measuring 6.5 x 7.5cm in the abdominal cavity with significant fluid collection, and both ovaries were visualized and separate from the mass. An emergency exploratory laparotomy with right salpingectomy was performed with minimal handling of the uterus and other pelvic structures. At 37 weeks and 5 days gestation, she had an elective C/S for a transverse lying fetus and delivered a live normal birth weight baby girl with a good Apgar score. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[4]: 110-113).

Pregnancy outcome in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Background: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is a multifactorial condition of pregnancy diagnosed when otherwise unexplained pruritus with abnormal liver function test and neither of which has an alternative cause. The most appropriate gestational age for the delivery of women with ICP is yet to be determined. The present study is designed to determine whether with active intervention, pregnancy with ICP can be carried to a later gestation.Methods: Fifty Women with diagnosed a case of ICP were recruited into the study. The diagnosis of ICP was based on the symptoms, clinical examination and lab investigations. Group I: 25 women planned for delivery at POG 37 - 37+6 weeks of pregnancy. Group II: 25 women Planned for delivery at POG ≥38 weeks of pregnancy.Results: In group, one woman had preterm delivery at POG 36+2 weeks and rest of 24 women were delivered at POG 37-37+6 weeks. In group II, out of 25 women one woman had emergency LSCS at POG 35+3 weeks for MSL and induction of labour was done in 2nd for abnormal fetal well-being tests at POG 37 weeks. One woman had pre-term delivery at POG 36+1 weeks. Remaining 22 women in group II were delivered at POG ≥38 weeks. In the present study there was no significant difference in the gestational age at delivery between the two groups.Conclusions: It can be concluded that pregnancies with obstetric cholestasis can be carried to later gestation of ≥38 weeks under surveillance with UDCA treatment.

Term Delivery following ruptured tubo-ovarian abscess in early pegnancy / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

@#Tubo-ovarian abscess in pregnancy is extremely rare. Its occurrence increases the maternal and fetal morbidities and mortalities. The clinical presentation is variable ranging from asymptomatic abscess to diffuse peritonitis. In this report, we present a rare case of tubo-ovarian abscess complicating a pregnancy on its 6 weeks and 5 days age of gestation. The patient presented with frank peritonitis. Internal examination revealed uterine, adnexal and cervical tenderness with no masses palpated. A laparotomy was done and intra-operative findings showed an 8 x 4 cm-sized, right, ruptured tubo-ovarian abscess with purulent contamination of the whole pelvic cavity. Right salpingooophorectomy was performed and parenteral antibiotics were given. The pregnancy was eventually carried to term and the patient delivered by repeat low segment cesarean section without fetal and maternal complications.

Ceruloplasmin and Alkaline Phosphatase Levels in Preterm Delivery

Introduction:Preterm birth (PTB) is a major determinant of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Preterm babies are prone to serious illness or death during the neonatal period.PTB is one of the unresolved problems in clinical obstetrics and one of the greatest threats to the developing fetus, there is need to determine predictive biomarker for preterm delivery. Therefore present study aimed to assess serum levels of ceruloplasmin and Alkaline phosphatase inpreterm and full-term delivery.Materials andMethods:The present study includes total 80 subjects that comprise forty women presenting with preterm onset of labor followed by delivery and forty women who delivered at term served as controls.Blood Samples from the subjects were obtained for ceruloplasmin and Alkaline phosphatase estimation, when patient was in labor.Serum ceruloplasmin and alkaline phosphatase measured spectrophotometrically. Serum ceruloplasmin was estimated by Herbert A Ravinand Henry et al.method. Serum alkaline phosphatase was estimated by Kinetic p-NPP method.Results:Serum ceruloplasmin levels were significantly increased (P<0.001) in preterm delivery as compared to full term delivery. Alkaline phosphatase levels are significantly increased in preterm delivery (p<0.001) as compared to full term delivery. Conclusion: Our study showed that elevated levels of ceruloplasmin and alkaline phosphatase may be associated with preterm delivery in asymptomaticpregnant women. The elevated ALP may be due to mild chronic subclinical infection which may be responsible for preterm delivery. Ceruloplasmin is acute phase reactant,increaseddue toanantioxidant defence mechanism against oxidative stress.

Longitud cervical o puntaje de bishop en la predicción de parto pretérmino inminente en pacientes sintomáticas / Cervical length or bishop score in prediction of imminent preterm delivery in symptomatic patients

RESUMEN OBJETIVO: Comparar la longitud cervical con el puntaje de Bishop en la predicción de parto pretérmino inminente en pacientes sintomáticas. MÉTODOS: Se seleccionaron mujeres con embarazos simples de 24 - 35 semanas, con amenaza de parto pretérmino y membranas integras. Antes del inicio de cualquier tratamiento, todas fueron sometidas a examen digital del cuello uterino y determinación ecográfica transvaginal de la longitud cervical. La principal variable de estudio fue la frecuencia de parto inminente (en los 7 días siguientes a la evaluación). Se evaluaron las características generales, puntaje de Bishop y valores de la longitud cervical RESULTADOS: Fueron seleccionadas 481 mujeres, 119 participantes presentaron parto pretérmino inminente (grupo A) y 362 pacientes presentaron partos más allá de los 7 días (grupo B). El intervalo entre la evaluación y el parto fue de 4,3 +/- 1,6 días en el grupo A y 56,3 +/- 27,2 días en el grupo B (p < 0,0001). Las pacientes del grupo A tenían valores más bajos de longitud cervical comparado con las pacientes del grupo B (p < 0,0001). Este grupo también presentó valores más elevados de puntaje de Bishop (p < 0,0001). La longitud cervical tenía un área bajo la curva mayor para la predicción (0,972, intervalo de confianza 95%, 0,772 - 1,000) comparado con el puntaje de Bisho (0,825, intervalo de confianza 95%, 0,783 - 0,870; p = 0,0137). CONCLUSIÓN: La longitud cervical es más útil en la predicción de parto pretérmino inminente en pacientes sintomáticas comparado con el puntaje de Bishop.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To compare the cervical length with Bishop score in prediction of imminent preterm delivery in symptomatic patients. METHODS: Women with single pregnancies of 24-35 weeks were selected, with the diagnosis of threatened preterm labor and intact membranes. Before the start of any treatment, all were submitted to the cervical digital examination and transvaginal ultrasound determination of cervical length. The main variable of the study was the frequency of imminent delivery (in the 7 days following evaluation). General characteristics, Bishop score, and cervical length values were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 481 women were selected, 119 patients presented imminent delivery (group A) and 362 patients delivered after 7 days (group B). the interval between evaluation and delivery was 4.3 +/- 1.6 days in group A and 56.3 +/- 27.2 days in group B (p <0.0001). Patients in group A had lower values of cervical length compared with patients in group B (p <0.0001). This group also presented higher values of Bishop score (p <0.0001). Cervical length had a mayor area under for prediction (0.972, 95% confidence interval, 0.772-1.000) compared with Bishop score (0.825, 95% confidence interval, 0.783-0.870, p = 0.0137). CONCLUSION: Cervical length is more useful in the prediction of imminent preterm delivery in symptomatic patients compared to the Bishop score.n.

The study of association between maternal serum magnesium levels and preterm labour in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Serum magnesium level in pregnancy is a valuable tool to find out preterm onset of labour. In the asymptomatic group, greater surveillance and administration of steroids, tocolytics and transfer to a higher centre wherever necessary has to be done with mothers with low serum magnesium level. The objective of the study is to find association between serum magnesium levels and women with preterm labour, and to compare these values with those patients who have a term delivery.Methods: The subjects included 100 pregnant women with preterm labour (cases) between 28 and 37 weeks gestation (Group A) and similar number of pregnant women with term labour (controls) between 37 and 40 weeks (Group B). Inclusion criteria for cases was singleton pregnancy, painful uterine contractions more than two in 30 minutes, intact fetal membranes, cervical dilatation (at least 1 cm) and effacement (80%). Serum magnesium levels were done in both the groups. Patients were followed until delivery. Routine antenatal investigations were done. Serum levels of magnesium were estimated by Erba’s semi auto-analyser.Results: 62% patients in Group A were from rural areas. More patients in Group A (70%) were from low socioeconomic class. More women in Group A were anaemic (44%). Mean value of hemoglobin in Group A was 9.93gm/dL. More patients in Group A had muscle cramps (89%). VLBW (<1500gm) neonates were more in Group A (21%). Also, LBW (1500-2499gm) neonates were more in Group A (60%). Mean neonatal birth weight in Group A (1907.3gm) was less. Neonatal morbidity and mortality was observed significantly more in Group A. Mean serum magnesium was less in Group A. Mean serum magnesium levels in primi and multigravida patients were less in Group A. Moreover, mean serum magnesium levels were less in urban and rural patients in Group A. Mean serum magnesium levels were less in normal and overweight patients in Group A. Also, mean serum magnesium levels were less in patients with cervical dilatation <3cm and >3cm in Group A.Conclusions: Low maternal serum magnesium level is associated with preterm labour. Patients with preterm labour have significantly low serum magnesium level when compared with labour at term.

A propósito de una nueva clasificación del embarazo a término. Resultados neonatales en una clínica de tercer nivel de atención en Cali, Colombia. Un estudio de corte transversal / In view of a new classification of term pregnancy. Neonatal outcomes in a level III clinic in Cali, Colombia. A cross-sectional study

Objetivo: Aplicar la clasificación del parto a término del American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG); describir la frecuencia de las diferentes categorías y hacer un análisis exploratorio de los resultados neonatales entre los grupos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron gestantes consideradas inicialmente sanas, con embarazo a término definido según última menstruación confiable y ecografía en la primera mitad de la gestación, de una clínica privada de tercer nivel, de Cali (Colombia), año 2013. Los partos se clasificaron como parto a término temprano, a término y a término tardío. Se describen las características sociodemográficas maternas y los resultados perinatales, así como la frecuencia de cada categoría; la comparación de grupos se estableció a través de análisis de varianza (ANOVA), Kruskal-Wallis o chi cuadrado. Resultados: De 502 nacimientos, fueron clasificados como embarazos a término temprano 200 (39,8 %), completo 254 (50,6 %) y tardío 48 (9,6 %). Hubo mayor frecuencia de aseguramiento contributivo de la madre y embarazos de alto riesgo en el grupo a término temprano. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en bajo peso al nacer y peso promedio del neonato en el grupo a término temprano, y mayor asfixia neonatal en el grupo a término tardío. No hubo diferencias en cuanto a síndrome de dificultad respiratoria y tiempo de hospitalización. Conclusión: La nueva clasificación de embarazo a término de la ACOG es factible de aplicar. La frecuencia de parto a término temprano es alta en Colombia. No se evidenciaron diferencias significativas en los resultados neonatales entre los tres grupos excepto en la asfixia neonatal, que fue mayor en el grupo a término tardío.

Objective: To apply the classification of term delivery of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, describe the frequency of the various categories, and explore neonatal outcomes among groups. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study including pregnant women considered initially healthy with a term pregnancy defined on the basis of the last reliable menstruation and ultrasound performed in the first half of the gestation period in a private, Level III clinic, in Cali, Colombia, in 2013. Deliveries were classified as early term, term and late term. Social and demographic characteristics of the mothers and perinatal outcomes are described. The frequency of each category is described and group comparisons are performed using the variance analysis (ANOVA),and the Kruskal-Wallis or Chi-square test. Results: Of 502 births, 200 (39.8 %) were classified as early term, 354 (50.6 %) as full term, and 48 (9.6 %) as late term. There was a higher frequency of contributive insurance coverage and high risk pregnancies in the early term group. Statistically significant differences were observed in terms of low birth weight and average neonatal weight in the early term group, whereas neonatal asphyxia was higher in the late term group. There were no differences in terms of respiratory distress syndrome or length of stay. Conclusion: It is feasible to apply the new ACOG term pregnancy classification. The frequency of early term delivery is high in Colombia. There was no evidence of significant differences in neonatal outcomes between the three groups except for higher neonatal asphyxia in the late term group.

Differences in Maternal Hair Heavy Metal and Mineral Levels between Preterm Delivery and Full-term Delivery / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies on the effects of heavy metal exposure on adverse birth outcomes are still inconsistent. Heavy metal exposure would be related to decreased birth weight and a shortened gestational age. The aim of this work was to investigate maternal hair heavy metal concentrations in relation to gestational age at delivery. METHODS: A total of 52 maternal hair samples were collected at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gil hospital, Korea. Delivery before 37 weeks of gestation was defined as preterm and delivery after 37 weeks of gestation was defined as full-term delivery. We gathered the specimens from maternal hair approaching delivery. 23 samples were taken from preterm delivered mothers and 29 samples from full term delivered mothers. We evaluated maternal specimen by hair tissue mineral analysis to measure heavy metal concentrations accumulated for more than several months. All statistical analyses were performed with Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon W test. RESULTS: Heavy metal was revealed in pregnant women's hair but there was not a significant correlation between levels of heavy metal and gestational age at delivery. Compared numbers of preterm delivery and full-term delivery by stratified by heavy metal concentrations did not have significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not show any strong relationship between delivery outcome and heavy metal measured by hair tissue mineral analysis. Further prospective studies with serial measures of cord blood heavy metal level and hair its levels may be required.

A Case of Term Delivery in Heterotopic Pregnancy after Ovulation Induction / 대한주산의학회잡지

Heterotopic pregnancy is an unusual condition that intrauterine pregnancy is accompanied by a coexisting ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of heterotopic pregnancies has increased in recent years because of rising incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic surgery, expanding use of assisted reproductive technology. We report a rare case with heterotopic pregnancy following ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination that was diagnosed after rupture of the ectopic pregnancy. After surgical removal of the ruptured left tubal pregnancy, she carried the intrauterine pregnancy to term without any complications.

A Case of Term Delivery in Heterotopic Pregnancy after Ovulation Induction / 대한주산의학회잡지

Heterotopic pregnancy is an unusual condition that intrauterine pregnancy is accompanied by a coexisting ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of heterotopic pregnancies has increased in recent years because of rising incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic surgery, expanding use of assisted reproductive technology. We report a rare case with heterotopic pregnancy following ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination that was diagnosed after rupture of the ectopic pregnancy. After surgical removal of the ruptured left tubal pregnancy, she carried the intrauterine pregnancy to term without any complications.

Successful full-term delivery after abdominal radical trachelectomy and concurrent cervicoisthmic cerclage for early stage cervical cancer: Two cases / 대한산부인과학회지

Since the screening tool was introduced, the incidence and mortality of cervical carcinoma has decreased. However, the incidence of early stage cervical cancer is increasing in young women who want to preserve their fertility. The risk of preterm delivery after trachelectomy is high and remains problematic. Herein we report two patients who had successful full-term delivery after abdominal radical trachelectomy and concurrent cervicoisthmic cerclage for early stage cervical cancer.

Riesgos asociados al consumo de alcohol durante el embarazo en mujeres alcohólicas de la Ciudad de México

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Summary: Alcoholism is among the main worldwide public health problems and it affects men and women differentially. Several studies show that, when compared to men, women develop more severe dependence, more family and social consequences and experience more difficulties to stop drinking. Differences on the impact that substance abuse has on women's life and health are related to the roles, functions and social expectancies placed on them concerning the continuity and care for the rest of the family. For this reason, alcohol intake constitutes a special problem since it affects the health of both the mother and her offspring. Alcoholic women have a higher risk of suffering obstetric complications during pregnancy, such as placenta insufficiency, intrauterine development retardation, early placenta detachment, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and pre-term delivery. Alcohol abuse during pregnancy is also associated with low weight offspring, congenital abnormalities and further behavioral and learning difficulties. In some countries, drinking during pregnancy is considered an offense which requires legal action. In some cases, women may be put in jail until delivery and lactation. In other regions, children welfare authorities view drinking during pregnancy as a form of aggression or neglect. Such measures prevent women from searching prenatal attention which in its case might lead to severe health consequences for the mother, the embryo and the society. Estimates of alcohol consumption during pregnancy around the world vary considerably and figures range from 4.1% to 83%. However, the variation might be related to the amount of alcohol units and the period of time considered in each measurement. A case-control study in Naucalpan, Mexico, found that 11% of the women interviewees admitted having drank during pregnancy, 5% of the mothers in the control group and 2% of the case group stopped drinking during lactation. Still, any of the considered variables was found to predict postnatal mortality through logistic regression analyses. Another study performed with data from the 1988 National Survey on Addictions documents that alcohol intake during pregnancy is a risk factor for congenital abnormalities (OR=3.4). The available data about the risks associated with drinking during pregnancy in Mexico comes from research in general population, while little is known about clinical population. For this reason, the objectives of this article are: 1. to analyze the characteristics of alcohol consumption in a group of women who sought help to stop drinking, 2. to identify family history of alcohol abuse in this group and 3. to explore the consequences of drinking on their offspring. In this case study, interviews were held with 200 women who attended two treatment agencies in Mexico City due to alcohol consumption problems. The questionnaire used includes the Spanish version of the CIDI-SAM and other sections to explore drinking during pregnancy and lactation, as well as family history of alcoholism. Selection criteria were: 1. aged 18 or older, 2. seeking help for the first time, 3. physical and mental conditions that would allow to answer the questionnaire, 4. having drank during the previous year. Women agreed to participate voluntarily once the objectives of the study were explained and confidentiality assured. Personnel of both treatment agencies administered the questionnaire and interviews lasted 60 minutes average. The diagnostics of alcohol dependence were obtained according to DSM-IV criteria. Data were analyzed with the statistical program SPSS v. 10, for Windows. A total of 134 women reported having been pregnant at least once, and 57.5% of them admitted having drank alcoholic beverages during pregnancy. Age ranged from 18 to 61 years (mean=40), 50% were married or living with a partner, 18% were divorced or separated and 13% had never married. The number of children ranged from 1 to 12 with a mean of 3. High percentages of family history of alcohol abuse were found among this group (93.5%): mostly the father (72.7%), siblings (63.6%) and the partner (48.1%). Significant differences in family history of alcohol use were found between women who drank during pregnancy and those who did not drink. Around 66% reduced alcohol intake after the confirmation of pregnancy; however, 26% continued drinking as usual and 6.5% started drinking at this period. The mean number of drinks consumed per drinking occasion during pregnancy was 3.5, being the traditional beverage pulque (48.8%) and beer (34.9%) the preferred beverages. In addition, 9.2% also took medical drugs. At least three out of the seven criteria proposed in DSM-IV for alcohol dependency were met by 70.3% of the women who drank during pregnancy. More severe dependence was found among the women who drank during pregnancy than among the group of women who abstained. As to the consequences of drinking, 12% of the women reported spontaneous abortion, 13.7% pre-term deliveries, 5.5% stillbirth, 6.8% congenital abnormalities and 13.7% low birth weight. When comparing women who drank and those who did not during pregnancy, significant differences were found in the percentage of pre-term deliveries (X2=5.63; p=0.01) and congenital abnormalities (X2=4.22; p=0.05). A number of logistic regression models was assessed using three independent variables: drinking during pregnancy, frequency of alcohol consumption and severity of dependence. Dependent variables, on the other hand, were spontaneous abortion, pre-term delivery, stillbirth, congenital abnormalities, low birth weight, alcohol use by the offspring and drinking problems in the offspring. The analysis shows that alcohol consumption during pregnancy is related to pre-term deliveries (OR=7.9), and alcohol use by the offspring (OR=2.1). Severity of dependence is related as well to low birth weight (OR=3.7) and further drinking problems in the offspring (OR=2.7). Likewise, drinking every day or almost every day is also related to later drinking problems in their children (OR=2.9). Finally, having siblings who drink (OR=2.11) and meeting alcohol dependency (OR=2.21) criteria are factors that predict alcohol consumption during pregnancy. These results are consistent with other studies that report positive family history of alcohol abuse among alcoholic women. The proportion of women who stopped drinking during pregnancy (42.5%) is higher than the one reported by other authors. Prevalence of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and congenital abnormalities are higher than the prevalence reported among general population. These findings suggest that women with severe dependence face more difficulties to stop drinking during pregnancy in spite of the social stigma imposed to future mothers who drink. The results provide some elements that support an association of alcohol abuse during pregnancy with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Nevertheless, the impact of fetal alcohol exposure responds to a complex model where a number of interacting factors, longitudinal reaserch is needed to determine the weight of each participating variable and the underlying relationship between them.

A Case of Term Delivery in Heterotopic Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Heterotopic pregnancy is that intrauterine pregnancy is accompanied by a coexisting ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of this disease was very rare, but it has been increased considerably with increasing cases of assisted reproductive technologies and tubal injuries resulted from tubal surgery, endometriosis, and PID. These are prerequisites for diagnosis that close monitoring of early pregnancy including serial serum hCG level and transvaginal sonography. We experienced a case of term delivery in heterotopic pregnancy following natural conception, so report this case with brief review of literatures.

A Case of Heterotopic Pregnancy Diagnosed by Ultrasonogram / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Heterotopic pregnancy is a condition in which ectopic and intrauterine pregnancies coexist. The reported incidence varies widely from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 30000 pregnancies. Assisted reproductive technologies have led to an increase in the number of heterotopic pregnancies. Because heterotopic pregnancy is difficult to diagnose early and it has high morbidity and mortality rate, careful pelvic examination combined with transvaginal sonogram and serial beta-HCG determinations are important. We experienced a case of heterotopic pregnancy in a natural cycle diagnosed by ultrasonogram who continued intrauterine pregnancy successfully.

A case of Full Term Delivery of a Edward Syndrome Associated with Dandy-Walker Syndrome subsequent to Prenatal Diagnosis / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Dandy-Walker syndrome indicates the association of cystic dilatation of fourth ventricle, dysgenesis of the cerebellar vermis and a high position of the tentorium. Dandy-Walker syndrome has an estimated prevalence of about 1 in 30,000 births and is found in 4% to 12% of all cases of infantile hydrocephalus. And trisomy 18 was present in 4.8% of the Dandy-Walker syndrome. Trisomy 18 is a chromosomal aneuploid, which results in multiple severe structural abnormalities that mostly involve the heart, extremities, face, and brain. We experienced a case of Edward syndrome associated with Dandy-Walker syndrome. She did not want to terminate her pregnancy. So, we reviewed a Edward syndrome with Dandy-Walker syndrome and presented the final result in full term delivery.

Change in cervical length after therapeutic McDonald cerclage using a transvaginal ultrasonography as a predictor of term delivery / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: To determine the change in cervical length after cerclage and whether a transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement about change in cervical lengthening after cerclage is predictive of term delivery METHODS: Twenty-nine single pregnant women were suspected as cervical incompetence by using a serial transvaginal ultrasonography. When a shortening of the cervix was substantial before 25 weeks' gestation, a therapeuric McDonald cerclage was applied. The 29 pregnant women had a transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of the cervix within 48-72 hours before and after cerclage. At each examination, the first measurement was discarded, and the mean of the subsequent three measurements was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by use of SAS with the significance set at the 5% level. RESULTS: In the 29 single pregnancies examined, the mean cervical length (distance between internal os and external os) before cerclage was 30.0+/-4.5 mm. A cerclage was applied at the mean gestational age of 16.76+/-3.02 weeks. After the cerclage the mean cervical length increased significantly (r=0.895, p=0.0001) to 34.1+/-4.5 mm. There was a significant relation between the gestational age at delivery and the length of postoperative upper cervix (endocervical canal length above suture) (r=0.378, p=0.043). But there was no significant relation between the gestational age at delivery and the following measurements; preoperative cervical length (r=0.348, p=0.064), postoperative cervical length (r=0.279, p=0.143), cervical lengthening (postoperative cervical length - preoperative cervical length) (r=-0.156, p=0.420), length of postoperative lower cervix (endocervical canal length below suture) (r=-0.003, p=0.999). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic McDonald cerclage results in a longer cervical length as measured by transvaginal ultrasonography. The increase in cervical length after cerclage is not a predictive term delivery. But the Length in upper cervix after cerclage correlated with gestational weeks at delivery.