Faculty Bibliography

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to estimate the time interval between elective cerclage removal and spontaneous delivery. METHODS:Singleton pregnancies with McDonald cerclage were evaluated for the interval between elective cerclage removal (36-37 weeks) and spontaneous delivery. We also compared spontaneous delivery within 48 hours after cerclage removal between women with ultrasound-indicated vs history-indicated cerclage. RESULTS:We identified 141 women with elective cerclage removal. The mean interval between removal and delivery was 14 days. Only 11% of women delivered within 48 hours. Women with ultrasound-indicated cerclage were more likely to deliver within 48 hours, compared with women with history-indicated cerclage (odds ratio, 5.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-24.05). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The mean interval between elective cerclage removal and spontaneous delivery is 14 days. Women with cerclage who achieved 36-37 weeks should be counseled that their chance of spontaneous delivery within 48 hours after elective cerclage removal is only 11%.