Intrapartum cervical lacerations: characteristics, risk factors, and effects on subsequent pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and effects on subsequent pregnancies of intrapartum cervical lacerations.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of all women who were diagnosed with clinically significant cervical lacerations from 1994-2006. Data were compared with a control group. The outcome of subsequent pregnancies for women in the study and control groups was analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 81,047 deliveries, 131 (0.16%) were complicated by cervical lacerations. With multivariate logistic regression analysis, the cervical cerclage, precipitous labor, vacuum extraction, nulliparity, and use of episiotomy were associated independently with cervical lacerations. The outcomes of subsequent pregnancies for women in the cervical-laceration (n = 42) and control (n = 518) groups were similar. There were no cases of recurrent cervical lacerations.

CONCLUSION

Careful inspection of the cervix should be considered in cases of precipitous labor, operative vaginal delivery, or cervical cerclage during pregnancy. Intrapartum cervical lacerations do not appear to affect the outcome of subsequent pregnancies.